We're awfully sorry, sir." Mr Parrett took no notice of these protestations, but said, quietly, "You'd better get home quickly and change your things." So saying he sculled off, with a face hardly less puzzled than the small scared faces which, after watching him go, turned dismally to their own unlucky Noah's Ark.
On their arrival at the school some half-hour later, Parson, Telson, Bosher, King, and Lawkins were informed that, having been reported for being absent at call-over, the captain wished to see them in his study after breakfast the next morning.
Later on that same evening another notice reached them that they were wanted in Mr Parrett's room at once..