We were done! There could be no doubt that the enemy had got wind of our purpose and had deliberately forestalled us; and was now only waiting to enjoy our discomfiture, and make merry over our disappointment.
As to the possibility of their being as sick at the sight of us as we were at the sight of them, it never even occurred to one of us.
Our first impulse was to eject them by force.

Our next was to expostulate.

Our third was to ignore them.
"Come on, you chaps," said Langrish, leading the way to the bank facing that in the occupation of the enemy, "here's our place.

Squat down and make yourselves comfortable." The Philosophers followed the cue, and, apparently unaware of the presence of any strangers, took possession of their slope, and tried to be as jolly as possible.
"I wonder where the day-boy cads go for their tucks," said Trimble in an audible voice, evidently intended for the opposition.

"Some one was saying they were trying to get up a kids' club; ha, ha! I'd like to see it." "Such a joke, Quin," said a voice over the way, evidently pitched to carry across to us.