Railsford by this time knew most of his fellow-masters to speak to, but this was the first occasion on which he had met them in their corporate capacity, and had he not been personally interested in the proceedings he would felt a pleasant curiosity in the deliberations of this august body.
Mr Bickers was already there, and nodded in a most friendly way to the Master of the Shell on his arrival. Grover and Mr Roe welcomed their new colleague warmly, and began at once to compare notes as to school- work. A few minutes later Monsieur Lablache, a little smarter than usual, came in, and having bowed to the company generally--a salute which no one seemed to observe--subsided on a retired seat. Railsford, to the regret perhaps of some of his friends, presently walked across and took a seat beside him, and the meeting began.
"Before we come to business," began Mr Roe, who by virtue of his seniority occupied the chair, "I am sure the meeting would wish me to express their pleasure at seeing Mr Railsford among us for the first time, and to offer him a hearty welcome to Grandcourt."
"Hear, hear," said Grover and others, amongst whom Mr Bickers's voice was conspicuous.
Railsford felt uncomfortable thus to become an object of general notice, and coloured up as he nodded his acknowledgments to the chairman.
"They do not know of your scrape," said monsieur, cheerfully. "I would tell them about it, my good friend, before Meester Beekaire makes his little speech."
Railsford glared round at his companion, and felt his heart thumping at the prospect of the task before him.
"There are one or two matters," began Mr Roe, "to bring before--"
Railsford rose to his feet and said, "Mr Roe, and gentlemen--"
There was a dead silence at this unexpected interruption, broken only by an encouraging cheer from Mr Bickers.
Supposing the new master was about to acknowledge the compliment just paid him by a set speech, Mr Roe put down his agenda paper and said, "Mr Railsford."
"If you will allow me," began Mark, rather breathlessly, "I would like to refer to a matter which personally concerns myself. I should not venture to do it in this way, immediately after your kind welcome, if I did not feel it to be my duty. Yesterday, gentlemen, an unfortunate incident occurred in my house--(`Hear, hear,' and a smile from Mr Bickers). I went--"