It's rather too hazardous though; we must manage better another time." During tea-time Eric was silent, as he felt pretty sure that none of the sixth form or other study boys would particularly sympathise with his late associates.

Since the previous evening he had been cool with Duncan, and the rest had long rather despised him as a boy who'd do anything to be popular; so he sat there silent, looking as disdainful as he could, and not touching the tea, for which he felt disinclined after the recent potations.

But the contemptuous exterior hid a self-reproving heart, and he felt how far more noble Owen and Montagu were than he.

How gladly would he have changed places with them! how much he would have given to recover some of their forfeited esteem! The master on duty was Mr.Rose, and after tea he left the room for a few minutes while the tables were cleared for "preparation," and the boys were getting out their books and exercises.

All the study and class-room boys were expected to go away during this interval; but Eric, not noticing Mr.Rose's entrance, sat gossipping with Wildney about the dinner and its possible consequences to the school.
He was sitting on the desk carelessly, with one leg over the other, and bending down towards Wildney.