It only meant letting the fire out and putting one chair in the fender, and shoving the other end of the table (which had been doubled in length by the addition of the table out of a neighbouring room, that was within four inches of the same height) close up against the door, which it was just possible to shut.

As, however, the door opened outwards, it was necessary for the gentleman occupying the foot of the table to sit out in the passage, much to the inconvenience of the casual passers-by.
To a shy man like Mr Rollitt, it was a difficult position to find himself the honoured guest of nine young gentlemen like these.
"Thank'ee kindly, young masters," said he, when Ashby relieved him of his hat and Fisher minor of his bag, and Percy undermined him with a chair, and Cottle handed him the _Boy's Own Paper_, and Cash came in with a hassock, and D'Arcy put a railway rug over his knees.
Wally, whose ideas of hospitality were of the old school, deemed it expedient, while tea was being served, to engage his guest on the subject of the weather.
"Rather finer the last few days than it was the other week when it rained ?" said he.

"Rollitt's having fine weather for his trip." This was an artful way of introducing the topic of the hour.
"Thank you kindly, yes.

He's bound to be somewheres, is my Alf," replied Mr Rollitt.
"It's all right; we're backing him up.

He made a ripping run for the School against Rendlesham.