IN CARRINGTONS DUTY-WEEK A PRIVATE SCHOOL EPISODE -- CONTENTS -- PROLOGUE . CHAPTER I. SUNDAY . IV. WEDNESDAY VI. FRIDAY . VII. SATURDA . Y PAGE I I In Carringtons Duty Week PROLOGUE MR CARRINGTON w as entirely responsible for the whole affair, so he may be fitly allowed to explain in his own words why he, so to speak, threw Mason and Burrell into one anothers arms. Oh, Roper -just a minute Mr Roper was in the act of closing the door behind him as he went out. He turned back and stood on the threshold, with his hand on the handle. I forgot to tell you something, continued Carrington. Well, come on then itll be Sunday morning in exactly two minutes, and Roper consulted his watch. Oh, it wont take one to tell. What do you think Ive done to that new boy, Burrell 11 In Carringtons Duty Week Dont know. Not marked him already Oh, no. Ive handed him over to Mason. Carrington looked at his colleague inquisitively to note how he received the announcement, but Roper merely lifted his eyebrows. What for he asked. Experiment replied Carrington, knocking the ashes out of his pipe. While I was talking to the new boy about his books just before bed-time, Master Coley turned up, so I asked for fun if they knew each other. Why, of course they do, since Burrells gone to Number Thirteen. 1 Yes, Id forgotten that at first. Burrell said, Not very well, all the same. So I formally introduced them and said, with a great affectation of gravity, that Coley must look after the new chaps interests, now hes lost his old chum. Ah, I dont know whatll become of Coley without Lloyd. I2 In Carringtons Duty Week Thats what I thought I said Id ask him in a weeks time how hed carried out my behests, and sent them up together. They both took me to be in deadly earnest. Well, if you ask me, I say he wont make another Lloyd of this new boy hes too volatile to suit Coley, from what Ive seen of the young man. Roper turned to go. Oh, Masons full of life, too more so than you think. Well, good-night, if youre bent on going. Then Carrington returned to his book, and rolled a cigarette, just to finish up with, soon forgetting these two boys on whom he had jocularly enjoined the duty of a weeks chumming. CHAPTER I SUNDAY HAVENTw e got to get up now, Mason Burrell was looking at his watch which hung on the bedstead-rail over his head. Mason was occupying himself in pulling up the blind of the window in his corner he could reach the cord without even sitting up in bed, but the blind came down every time he pulled it up. Oh, dont you disturb yourself just yet, he answered, giving up his fruitless efforts, and drawing the sheets over his shoulders. But its past eight, remonstrated the new boy. Well, never mind the bell hasnt rung, or I should have heard it. It takes more than two mornings to get into the good old habits. What, of being punctual with the bells, 14 In Carringtons Duty Week Coley inquired a third boy who - had awoke to the situation. So it seems, replied Coley. I didnt mean that, all the same I meant of sleeping through the beastly row that bell makes. Pull up the blind, Coley... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.