Crofter's brow contracted, and his habitual smile deserted him for once.
"What is this?
Some mistake," said he.
"It's what he owes you," suggested I.
"I suppose so; but that was only L4 17 shillings 6 pence." "Perhaps the rest is something for yourself," I remarked, making myself scarce in time to escape the task of returning the change.
Bother it! Crofter must square this part of the business up with his enemy.

_I_ didn't want to be dragged any more into it.
There was a rush for the house board early next morning to learn our fate as to the captaincy of Sharpe's.
"Whew!" said Langrish, as we reached it; "bracketed." So it was.

Tempest's and Crofter's names were braced together at the head of the list.
"That's a nice go! I suppose they'll have to go halves.

All the worse for us." "I should think, as Tempest was captain last term, he'll go on again this," I said.
"He wasn't captain when term ended; Crofter was." "I vote they fight it out," said Warminster.

"Two to one on the winner." "It would save trouble if they made Pridgin head; he's third man up." "Pridgin!" The easy-going owner of the name was spared something by not being present to hear the amused contempt with which the suggestion was greeted.
An hour later the doctor came down to settle matters for us.
"Under the circumstances," said he, "it seems right that Crofter should take charge of the house.