Listen to them now." And certainly the hubbub that was going on was a trifle outrageous, even for Welchers.
Indeed it was so outrageous that Riddell was obliged to ask his visitors to excuse him for a moment while he went and quieted them.
As he opened the door of the preparation-room, where the house was assembled, a louder cheer than ever arose in his honour; and then those who waited in the study heard a general lull in the noise, which continued in subdued animation after he had left the scene and returned to his friends.
This casual illustration of the captain's influence in his new house was quite a revelation to the three schoolhouse monitors.
"Why, what do you do to them to shut them up like that ?" asked Coates, with something like envy in his tones.

"It takes half an hour's bawling to stop a row like that in our house, and a licking or two into the bargain; doesn't it, you fellows ?" Riddell laughed.
"They are cricket-mad at present," said he, "and I suppose they're afraid of having their match against Parrett's stopped." It was a modest way, no doubt, of accounting for their obedience to his authority; but whatever the reason might be, it was certain the captain had no further occasion to interfere that evening.
"There's one comfort about this match," said Fairbairn, after a pause, "we probably shall not hear any more of that wretched boat-race now." Whatever induced him to start this most unfortunate topic at this time of all others?
Riddell, who amid all the excitement of the match had contrived partially to forget the burden that lay on his spirit, started uncomfortably at the words, and his face changed to one of undisguised trouble.

The others could hardly help noticing it.
"No, we're never likely to get at the bottom of it," said Porter; "so the sooner it drops the better." "It's very odd, all the same," said Fairbairn, "that there's not been a single hint as to who did it.

I wonder if, perhaps, we were wrong in taking for granted it was more than an accident." This last question was addressed to Riddell, who replied, nervously and uneasily, "No, that is, yes.

It can't have been.