As head classic, a speech from him had been quite counted on; but not even the calls of the one side or the taunts of the other could get him on to his feet.
The fact was, he only half heard what was going on.

His thoughts were far away, busied with a far more serious inward debate than that on the notice-paper.
At length he could remain idle no longer.

He must go and find out Wyndham, or see the doctor, or pay another visit to Tom the boat-boy-- anything rather than this suspense and misery and inaction.
He took advantage of a more than ordinarily dreary speech from Tedbury to rise and make his retreat quietly from the room.
But before he had reached the door Tedbury's voice abruptly ceased and Wibberly's was heard saying, "Mr Chairman, I see Mr Riddell is leaving the meeting.

Will you allow me to ask him a question before he goes ?" There was something strange about this interruption, and also in the manner in which the question was asked, which drew the sudden attention of the House, and all eyes were turned on the captain.
He stopped and turned in his usual nervous, half-inquiring way, apparently not quite sure what had been said or who had spoken.
"Mr Wibberly," said Bloomfield, "wishes to ask a question of Mr Riddell." "It is merely this," said Wibberly, rapidly, and giving no time for any objection to be raised on the point of order.

"I wish to ask Mr Riddell whether he has found out yet who cut the rudder-line of Parrett's boat at the boat-race, or whether he suspects anybody, and, if so, whom ?" At this unlooked-for question a hubbub immediately arose.