“But the beggar never does trip. He’s so vilely careful, he never gives a chance,” growled Gilks.
“Awfully uncivil of him, when he knows how grateful we should be to him,” said Silk, laughing. “Never mind, old man, keep in with him if you can. Something’s sure to turn up. He won’t suspect you, as you’re in the schoolhouse; and we ought to be able to manage to put a spoke in his wheel somehow.”
“Wish you may do it,” said Gilks. “Anyhow, I dare say you are right; it’s no use flaring up too soon, if there is a chance of doing him. By the way, Fairbairn’s pretty nearly as bad as Riddell; they’re a pair, you know.”
“Yes, but Fairbairn’s in the boat,” said Silk.
“So he is; and what’s more, he’s got a spite against me, and wants to turn me out of it.”
“Why?”
“He says I don’t do enough work. I should like to know how a fellow is to work behind a sanctimonious ass like him?”
“I hear the schoolhouse boat isn’t a bad one, even without Wyndham,” said Silk.
“Pretty fair. But if I’m in it I’ll see it doesn’t win,” said Gilks.
“What a nice boy you are, to be sure! I suppose you’ve a bet on Parrett’s, like me?”