It was some satisfaction to see Mr Bickers flush in his turn, as he replied, with a hardly concealed sneer—
“Ah, poor Moss! He was a great flatterer. You must not believe half he says about his absent friends.”
“Railsford,” said Grover, taking his friend by the arm, and anxious to interrupt what promised to be an uncomfortable dialogue, “I must introduce you to Roe. He had charge of the Shell for some years, and can give you some hints which will be useful to you. You’ll like him.”
Railsford did like him. Mr Roe was one of the best masters at Grandcourt, and his university career had been as brilliant in athletics, and more brilliant in scholarship, than his younger colleagues. He had a quiet voice and manly bearing, which bespoke a vast fund of power latent beneath the surface; and Railsford, for once in his life, experienced the novel sensation of standing in the presence of a superior. Mr Roe accepted Mark’s apologies for his non-appearance the evening before with great good-humour, and invited him to his rooms to spend an evening and talk over school-work.
“You are not likely to have much leisure at first. I wish you had a quieter house; but a little good government and sympathy will go a long way towards bringing it up to the mark. As to the Shell, you will find that pretty easy. It wants more management than teaching—at least, I found so. If once the boys can be put on the right track, they will go pretty much of their own accord. It’s easier to guide them than drive them; don’t you think so?”
“I have no experience yet; but that is my idea, certainly.”
“Then you’ll succeed. Have you been introduced to Monsieur Lablache? This is Mr Railsford, the new Master of the Shell, monsieur.”
Monsieur shrugged himself ceremoniously. He had a big moustache, which curled up in an enigmatical way when he smiled; and Railsford was at a loss whether to like him or dislike him.
“We shall be friends, Meester Railsford, I hope,” said the foreigner; “I have much to do wiz ze young gentlemen of the Sell. Hélas! they try my patience; but I like them, Meester Railsford, I like them.”
“I only wish I knew whether I liked you,” inwardly ejaculated the new master, as he smiled in response to the confession.