“No; why? What’s the use of looking ashamed?” said Fairbairn; “let’s go to them. Bloomfield’s sure to be in his study.”
The two boys went accordingly, and found the Parrett’s captain in his study along with Game and Ashley. It was rarely indeed that the schoolhouse seniors penetrated uninvited into the headquarters of their rivals. But on this occasion they had a right cause at heart and honest consciences to back them.
But it was evident at a glance they had fallen on unfriendly society. Game, quite apart from his state of mind with regard to the accident, had not forgotten his repulse at the hands of the new captain a week or two ago, nor had Bloomfield quite got over the indirect snub he had received on the same occasion.
Riddell himself had almost forgotten the circumstance, and attributed the unencouraging aspect of the rival seniors entirely to the day’s misadventure.
“Excuse us coming over,” said he, feeling that a beginning must be made to the interview, “but we wanted to tell you how sorry our fellows are about the race.”
“Have you found out who did it?” asked Bloomfield.
“No,” said Riddell, “and we can’t even guess.”
“But what we came for specially,” broke in Fairbairn at this point, “was to say we are quite ready to row you again any day you like.”
There was a touch of defiance in the tone of the schoolhouse stroke which was particularly irritating to the Parrett’s boys.
“Of course, we would row you—” began Bloomfield.