The Willoughby Captains Part 57

Riddell smiled.

"Our fellows certainly consider themselves free to abuse or cheer all round, without the least partiality. Listen to them now."

And certainly the hubbub that was going on was a trifle outrageous, even for Welchers.

Indeed it was so outrageous that Riddell was obliged to ask his visitors to excuse him for a moment while he went and quieted them.

As he opened the door of the preparation-room, where the house was a.s.sembled, a louder cheer than ever arose in his honour; and then those who waited in the study heard a general lull in the noise, which continued in subdued animation after he had left the scene and returned to his friends.

This casual ill.u.s.tration of the captain's influence in his new house was quite a revelation to the three schoolhouse monitors.

"Why, what do you do to them to shut them up like that?" asked Coates, with something like envy in his tones. "It takes half an hour's bawling to stop a row like that in our house, and a licking or two into the bargain; doesn't it, you fellows?"

Riddell laughed.

"They are cricket-mad at present," said he, "and I suppose they're afraid of having their match against Parrett's stopped."

It was a modest way, no doubt, of accounting for their obedience to his authority; but whatever the reason might be, it was certain the captain had no further occasion to interfere that evening.

"There's one comfort about this match," said Fairbairn, after a pause, "we probably shall not hear any more of that wretched boat-race now."

Whatever induced him to start this most unfortunate topic at this time of all others?

Riddell, who amid all the excitement of the match had contrived partially to forget the burden that lay on his spirit, started uncomfortably at the words, and his face changed to one of undisguised trouble. The others could hardly help noticing it.

"No, we're never likely to get at the bottom of it," said Porter; "so the sooner it drops the better."

"It's very odd, all the same," said Fairbairn, "that there's not been a single hint as to who did it. I wonder if, perhaps, we were wrong in taking for granted it was more than an accident."

This last question was addressed to Riddell, who replied, nervously and uneasily, "No, that is, yes. It can't have been. I'm sure it wasn't an accident."

His three friends looked perplexed by his sudden confusion and change of manner, and Porter had the presence of mind to change the subject.

"I hear there's a jolly row on between Silk and Gilks," said he. "No one knows exactly why."

"I heard it was a bet," said Coates.

"At any rate they've had a split," said Porter.

"They never did much good while they were in partnership," said Coates.

"Young Wyndham got rather drawn in by them, I heard."

"Rather!" said Fairbairn. "He was precious near going to the dogs altogether if old Riddell here hadn't pulled him up."

Riddell seemed to lack spirit to join in the conversation, which continued without him.

"Yes, the young 'un cuts them dead now," said Porter, "but he's a bit afraid of them still, I fancy."

"I suppose they could let out upon him about some sc.r.a.pe or other," said Coates, "and that's what gives them a pull."

"Anyhow, it's a good job he has pulled up," said Fairbairn, "for he's not a bad youngster. He's got into the second-eleven just lately, and is tremendously proud of it. He's vowed he'll get old Wyndham to come down and umpire in the match with Templeton second-eleven next month."

All this talk was anything but pleasant for poor Riddell. Little did the speakers dream of the connection between the boat-race and young Wyndham; in fact, the latter topic, as he knew quite well, had been started on purpose to get over the awkwardness which his own confusion about the former had caused.

But to Riddell, with that knife burning in his pocket, it was all one prolonged torture, so that he was heartily glad when at length his friends rose to depart.

He excused himself from walking across the quadrangle with them, and said good-night in a spiritless way, very different from the cheery manner in which he had welcomed them an hour ago.

"I never saw such a rum fellow as Riddell," said Coates, as the three strolled over. "Did you see how cut up he got when something was said about the boat-race?"

"He's a little cracked on that subject," said Fairbairn. "I do believe, until the culprit is found out, he considers himself responsible for the whole affair."

"Well, to judge by his looks he might have been the culprit himself,"

said Porter, laughing. "Hullo, here's young Wyndham."

"Where are you off to?" asked Fairbairn, with due monitorial solemnity, of that flighty youth; "don't you know it's nearly eight?"

"Oh, do you mind my going across to Riddell's?" asked the boy; "he'll think I've cut him if I don't show up. I've not been to his room for half a week."

"It's a curious thing he has survived it so long," said Fairbairn, laughing. "Mind you are back by 8:30, though, for I'll have lock-up punctual to-night, while there's so much row going on."

"Thanks, Fairbairn," said Wyndham. "I say, what a stunning score our house knocked up in the second innings. Why, we--"

"Cut off," cried Fairbairn, "and tell Riddell all about it. Come on, you fellows."

Wyndham hurried on full of the prospect of a talk over the match with Riddell.

Just at the door of Welch's, however, he met Silk.

The two had scarcely met since the day of the election, when Wyndham, to spite Riddell, had joined himself to this bad friend, and yielded to his persuasion to go down, against leave, to Sh.e.l.lport.

"Oh, young 'un," said Silk, in friendly tones, "you turned up? I'd almost given you up for good."

"I'm going to Riddell's," said Wyndham, determined for once to stand by his colours and have nothing more to do with this tempter.

Silk's face fell, as it always did when Riddell's name was mentioned.

He had imagined the boy was coming to see him, and it did not please him to find himself mistaken.

"Are you?" said he. "Come along to my study first, though; I want to speak to you."

"I can't come, thank you," said Wyndham.

"Can't! Why ever not?" exclaimed Silk.

"I don't want to come, that's why," said Wyndham, doggedly, and attempting to move past.

But this by no means suited Silk.