“For breaking rules,” said Game, as he walked on.
“Shall you go?” said Telson to King as the two slowly put on their coats.
“Yes, I suppose so, or he’ll give us a licking.”
“I shan’t go; he’s not the captain,” said Telson.
“I say, you’ll catch it if you don’t,” said King, with apprehension in his looks. “They’re always down on you if you don’t go to the captain when you’re told.”
“I tell you he’s not the captain,” replied Telson, testily, “and I shan’t go. If they want to report me they’ll have to do it to Riddell.”
With which virtuous decision he went his way, slightly solaced in his mind by the fight, and still more consoled by the prospects of a row ahead.
Telson was quite cute enough to see he had a strong position to start with, and if only he played his cards well he might score off the enemy with credit.
He therefore declined an invitation to Parson’s to partake of shrimps and jam at tea, and kept himself in his own house till the time appointed for reporting himself to the captain. Then, instead of going to Bloomfield, he presented himself before Riddell.
“Well?” said the captain, in his usual half-apologetic tone.