“Why?”
There were boys all round him, looking at him curiously, and a feeling of shame came over Philip. He looked down without answering. Others gave the reply.
“He’s got a club-foot, sir.”
“Oh, I see.”
Mr. Rice was quite young; he had only taken his degree a year before; and he was suddenly embarrassed. His instinct was to beg the boy’s pardon, but he was too shy to do so. He made his voice gruff and loud.
“Now then, you boys, what are you waiting about for? Get on with you.”
Some of them had already started and those that were left now set off, in groups of two or three.
“You’d better come along with me, Carey,” said the master “You don’t know the way, do you?”
Philip guessed the kindness, and a sob came to his throat.
“I can’t go very fast, sir.”