The four sat silent—the situation was quite as painful to them as to Mark.
The latter grew desperate.
“Now,” said he, raising his voice in a way which put up Ainger’s back. “You four boys are in the Sixth, and I understand that the discipline of the house is pretty much in your hands. I shall have to depend on you; and if things go wrong, of course I shall naturally hold you responsible.”
Ainger flushed up at this; while Stafford, on whom the master’s eyes were fixed, vaguely nodded his head.
“I am very anxious for the house to get a good name for order, and work—and,” added he, “I hope we shall be able to do something at sports, too.”
Here, at least, the master expected he would meet with a response. But Ainger, the boy chiefly interested in sports, was sulking; and Barnworth, who also was an athlete, was too absorbed in speculating what remark was maturing itself in Felgate’s mind to heed what was being said.
“I suppose the house has an eleven—for instance?”
“Yes, generally,” said Stafford.
Felgate now came in with his remark.
“Something ought to be done to prevent our house being interfered with by Mr Bickers,” said he; “there are sure to be rows while that lasts.”