You were late, weren't you?
Why were you late ?" A question like this was decidedly a novelty; Wyndham's formula had invariably been, "Telson, hold out your hand," and then if Telson had anything to remark he was at liberty to do so.

But to be thus invited to make excuses was an unexpected treat which these cunning juniors were quite sharp enough to jump at.
"Oh, you know," began Telson, "it wasn't our fault.

We were up-stream in the Ark, and meant to be back all right, only the schoolhouse boat overhauled us, and we had to race them a bit--didn't we, you fellows ?" "Rather," said Parson; "and a spanking race it was.

We held up to them all down the Willow Reach, and were just collaring them for the finish up to Balsham Weir, when the beasts pulled in and funked it." "And then, of course, we couldn't get back in time," said Lawkins.

"We were jolly fagged--weren't we, you fellows ?--and it was all a plant of those schoolhouse cads." "Fight you!" said Telson, menacingly.
"Oh, beg pardon, old man, didn't mean.