He did not care.

The afternoon was spoilt for him.

He was not even hungry.

Why could he not go to school to-morrow, and then challenge Ernest to combat?
But he might challenge Ernest without going to school...

He had never fought a real fight, but the sight of his enemy's thin, peaky body was encouraging.
"Now, Jeremy, dear," said Miss Maddison, "it's your turn to hide..." Soon they all went in to tea.