He was down coxing his boat, and the thought of this only reminded Telson of his own bad luck, and added to his ill-temper.
He was roused from his moody reflections by the approach of two boys, who hailed him cheerily.
"What cheer, Telson, old man ?" cried King.

"How jolly blue you look! What's the row ?" "Nothing," replied Telson.
"We've just been down to see the boats.

Awful spree to see old Riddell steering! isn't it, Bosher ?" "Yes," said Bosher; "but he's better than he was." "Never mind, they won't lick us," said King.

"You should have seen our boat! Bless you, those schoolhouse louts--" "King, I'll fight you!" said Telson, suddenly.
"Oh! beg pardon, old man, I didn't--eh--what ?" This last remark was caused by the fact that Telson was taking off his coat.

King, utterly taken aback by these ominous preparations, protested his sorrow, apologised, and generally humiliated himself before the offended schoolhouse junior.
But Telson had been looking out for a cause of quarrel, and now one had come, he was just in the humour for going through with the business.
"Do you funk it ?" he asked.
"Oh, no; not that, old man," said King, still friendly, and very slowly unbuttoning his jacket; "but I'll apologise, Telson, you know." "Don't want any apologising; I want to fight," said Telson.