“I meant we were marked off by the porter at the lodge as we came in,” said I. “Perhaps that’s how he’s got the names.”
“Evidently,” said Pridgin, “he’s had you for once. Tempest. He guessed there’d be a bother about the list, and he has taken the wind out of your sails. You’ll attend extra drill, of course.”
“Certainly.”
“So that,” said Wales, “all you will score by the affair will be a public disgrace before the juniors.”
Tempest’s half dismal, half wrathful face was answer enough.
“We sha’n’t consider it a disgrace,” said I.
“Thank you very much, Jones iv. If that is so, we shall feel it was worth living for to have your approbation. Now you had better go and write out your lines.”
“What?” said I. “I thought we were none of us going to do that.”
“I have warned you once against the perils of thinking. It’s a bad habit for little boys. Off you go, or you won’t get your poena done in time.”
“What am I to tell the others?” I inquired.