Tom, Dick and Harry

By Talbot Baines Reed________________________________________________________________________Another of this author's well-written and entertaining school books. Inthis case the hero is young Master Jones. To prepare for entry to theschool he had been given some tuition by a lady who was a teacher at agirls' school. Of course the other boys at the boys' school soon foundout that he had come to them from a girls' school, and he became known, albeit affectionately, by the nickname of "Sarah". 

But he is well respected, and enjoys his various friendships with theother boys, noticing even, at one point, that they seemed to be vieingwith one another for his friendship. 

Towards the end of the story his mother visits the school, and is agreat hit with the other boys. 

There some moments of drama, amusingly told, such as when our hero isunwittingly involved in almost blowing the school up! The boysinvolved off are hauled off to the magistrate by the local villagepoliceman, who, comically, had imagined that a blazer, the top garmentworn by schoolboys of that era (and mine) was a kind of lucifer, whichin turn was a kind of match used before the invention of thesafety-match. This is a particularly amusing episode, terminating inthe magistrate awarding the school-keeper, who had been slightlyinjured, one guinea costs, to pay for his bandages, which he pays out ofhis own pocket. 

There are no mountain-side dramas as in several other books by thisauthor, and the rowing episodes on the river are quite tame. There areno wicked local beer-house owners. But it is a good story, quietly andevenly told. Best listened to rather than read. NH. ________________________________________________________________________TOM, DICK AND HARRY

BY TALBOT BAINES REED

CHAPTER ONE. 

WHO SHOT THE DOG?

A shot! a yell! silence!

Such, as soon as I could collect myself sufficiently to form an idea atall, were my midnight sensations as I sat up in my bed, with my chin onmy knees, my hair on end, my body bedewed with cold perspiration, and mylimbs trembling from the tips of my fingers to the points of my toes. 

I had been peacefully dreaming--something about an automatic machineinto which you might drop a Latin exercise and get it back faultlesslyconstrued and written out. I had, in fact, got to the point ofattempting nefariously to avail myself of its services. I had folded upthe fiendish exercise on the passive subjunctive which Plummer had setus overnight, and was in the very act of consigning it to the mechanicalcrib, when the shot and the yell projected me, all of a heap, out ofdreamland into the waking world. 

At first I was convinced it must have been the sound of my exercisefalling into the machine, and Plummer's howl of indignation at findinghimself circumvented. 

No! Machine and all had vanished, but the noises rang on in my wakingears. 

Was it thunder and storm? No. The pale moonlight poured in a gentleflood through the window, and not a leaf stirred in the elms without. 

Was it one of the fellows fallen out of bed? No. On every hand reignedpeaceful slumber. There was Dicky Brown in the next bed, flat on hisback, open-mouthed, snoring monotonously, like a muffled police rattle. There was Graham minor on the other side, serenely wheezing up and downthe scale, like a kettle simmering on the hob. There opposite, amongthe big boys, lay Faulkner, with the moonshine on his pale face, hisarms above his head, smirking even in his sleep. And there was Parkinjust beyond, with the sheet half throttling him, as usual, sprawlingdiagonally across his bed, and a bare foot sticking out at the end. Andhere lay--

Hullo! My eyes opened and my teeth chattered faster. Where _was_Tempest? His bed was next to Parkin's, but it was empty. In themoonlight and in the midst of my fright I could see his shirt andwaistcoat still dangling on the bed-post, while the coat and trousersand slippers were gone. The bed itself was tumbled, and had evidentlybeen lain in; but the sleeper had apparently risen hurriedly, partlydressed himself, and gone out. 

If only I could have got my tongue loose from the roof of the mouth towhich it was cleaving, I should have yelled aloud at this awfuldiscovery. As it was I yelled silently. For of all terrors upon earth, sleep-walking was the one I dreaded the most. Not that I had everwalked myself, or, indeed, enjoyed the embarrassing friendship of anyone who did. But I had read the books and knew all about it. I wouldsooner have faced a dozen ghosts than a somnambulist. 

I had no doubt in my mind that the Dux's empty bed was to be accountedfor in this uncanny manner, and that the shot and yell were intimatelyconnected with his mysterious disappearance. Now I thought of it, hehad not been himself for some time. For a whole week he had not lickedme. Ever since he had got his entrance scholarship at Low Heath he hadbeen queerer than ever. He had not broken any rule of importance; hehad been on almost friendly terms with Faulkner; he had even ceased toplot the assassination of Plummer. He was evidently in a low state, andsuffering from unusual nervous excitement, thus violently to interruptthe usual tenor of his way; and, as I knew, such a state lends itselfreadily to the grisly practice of somnambulism. 

What was to be done? Yell? I couldn't do it for the life of me. Getup and look for him? Wild horses could not have dragged a toe of me outof bed. Stay where I was till the unearthly truant returned? No, thankyou. At the bare notion my rigid muscles relaxed, my erect hair laydown, and I collapsed, a limp heap, on to the pillow, with everyavailable sheet and blanket drawn over my tightly closed eyes. 

And yet, in my unimpassioned moments, I do not think I was a notoriouscoward. I had stood up to Faulkner's round-arms without pads, andactually blocked one of them once, and that was more than some of thefellows could say, I could take my header into the pool from the samestep as Parkin. And once I had not run away from Hector when he brokeloose from his kennel. Even now, but for the dim recollection of thatawful automatic machine, I might have pulled myself togethersufficiently to strike a light and jog my next-bed neighbour intowakefulness. 

But somehow my nerves had suffered a shock, and since there was no onenear to witness my poltroonery, and as, moreover, the night was chillyenough to warrant reasonable precautions against cold, I preferred onthe whole to keep my head under the clothes, and drop for a season, soto speak, below the surface of human affairs. 

But existence below the sheets, when prolonged for several minutes, isapt to pall upon a body, and in due time I had to face the problemwhether, after all, the vague terrors without were not preferable to thecertain asphyxia within. 

I had put my nose cautiously outside for the purpose of considering thepoint, when my eyes, thus uncovered, chanced to fasten on the door. 

As they did so paralysis once more seized my frame; for, at that precisemoment, the door softly opened, and a figure, tall, pale, and familiar, glided noiselessly into the dormitory. 

It was Tempest. He stood for a moment with the moonlight on him, andglanced nervously round. Then, apparently satisfied that slumberreigned supreme, he stepped cautiously to his deserted couch. My eyesfollowed him as the eyes of the fascinated dove follow the serpent. Isaw him divest himself of his semi-toilet, and then solemnly wind up hiswatch, after which he slipped beneath the clothes, and all was silent. 

I lay there, moving not a muscle, till the breathing of the truant grewlong and heavy, and finally settled down to the regular cadence ofsleep. Then I breathed once more myself; my staring eyes graduallydrooped; my mind wandered over a large variety of topics, and finallyrelapsed into the happy condition of thinking of nothing at all. 

When I awoke next morning, in obedience to the summons of the bell, thefirst thing I was aware of was that Tempest was complacently whistling apopular air as he performed his toilet. 

"Poor Dux!" thought I, "he little dreams what a terrible night he hashad. Good morning, Dux, " I said deferentially. 

Tempest went on brushing his hair till he had finished his tune, andthen honoured me with a glance and a nod. 

Something in my appearance must have attracted his attention, for helooked at me again, and said, "What makes you look so jolly fishy, eh, youngster?"

"Oh, " said I, a little flattered to have my looks remarked upon, "I hada nightmare or something. "

"Comes of eating such a supper as you did, " replied the Dux. 

"Wouldn't he open his eyes, " thought I, "if I told him what thenightmare was! But I won't do it. "

I therefore relapsed into my toilet, and, as time was nearly up, leftthe unconscious sleep-walker to finish his in silence. 

Dr Hummer's "select young gentlemen" only numbered thirty, all told--chiefly sons of the trading community, who received at the establishmentat Hampstead all the advantages of a good commercial education, combinedwith some of the elegances of a high-class preparatory school. Tipton'sfather, who was an extensive draper in an adjoining suburb, was ratherfond, I believe, of telling his friends that he had a boy at DangerfieldCollege. It sounded well, especially when it was possible to add that"my boy and his particular chum, young Tempest, son of the late ColonelTempest, you know, of the Guards, did this and that together, and mightperhaps spend their next holidays together at Tempest Hall, inLincolnshire, if he could spare the boy from home, " and so on. 

It was an awful fascination for some of us to speculate what the "Dux"would have to say if he could hear this sort of talk. We trembled forTipton's father, and his shop, and the whole neighbourhood in which heflourished. 

Tempest's presence at the "College" did, however, add quite a littleprestige to the place. No one seemed to suppose that it had anything todo with the fact that the terms were exceptionally moderate, and thathis gallant father had left very slender means behind him. Even DrPlummer had a habit, so people said, of dragging his aristocratic headpupil's name into his conversation with possible clients, while we boysmingled a little awe with the esteem in which we held our broad-backedand well-dressed comrade. 

Within the last few weeks especially the school had had reason to beproud of him. He had taken an exhibition at Low Heath, one of the crackpublic schools, and was going up there at Midsummer. This was an eventin the annals of Plummer's which had never happened before and in allprobability would never happen again. 

To do the Dux justice, he set no special store by himself. He believedin the Tempests as a race, but did not care a snap whether anybody elsebelieved in them or not. Any boy who liked him he usually liked back, and showed his affection, as he did in my case, by frequent lickings. Boys he did not like he left severely alone, and there were a good manysuch at Dangerfield. 

As to the exhibition, that had been entirely his own idea. He had notsaid a word about it to Plummer or any of us, and it was not till afterhe had got it, and Plummer in the fulness of his heart gave us a holidayin celebration of the event, that we had any of us known that the Duxhad been in for it. 

The second bell had already sounded before I had completed my toilet, the finishing touches of which, consequently, I was left to add insolitude. 

When I descended to the refectory I was struck at once by an unusual airof gloom and mystery about the place. Something unpleasant must haveoccurred, but what it was nobody appeared exactly to know, unless it wasthe principal himself. Dr Plummer was just about to make acommunication when I made my belated entry. 

"Jones, " said he, as much in sorrow as in anger, "this is not the firsttime this term that you have been late. "

It certainly was not. 

"What is the reason?"

"Please, sir, " said I, stammering out my stereotyped excuse, "I think Ican't have heard the first bell. "

"Perhaps the first six sums of compound proportion written out ten timeswill enable you to hear it more distinctly in future. We will try it, if you please, Jones. "

Then turning sternly to the assembled school, he said, "I was about tosay something to you, boys, when this disturbance interrupted me. Ashameful act has been done by some one in the night, in which Isincerely hope no one here has had a hand. The dog has been killed. "

A whistle of consternation went round the room. What? Hector killed?--Hector the collie--the beast--the brute--the sneak--the traitor--thearch-enemy of every boy at Plummer's? Hector, who was reported to beworth thirty guineas? Hector, the darling of Mrs P. And the youngP. 's? Hector of the teeth, and the snarl, and the snap, theincorruptible, the sleepless, the unforgiving?

What miscreant hero had dared perform this sacrilegious exploit?"Perish Hector!" had been an immemorial war-cry at Plummer's; but Hectorhad never yet perished. No one had been found daring enough to bell thecat--that is, to shoot the dog. To what scoundrel was DangerfieldCollege now indebted for this inestimable blessing?

Dead silence followed the doctor's announcement. Boys' faces werestudies as they stood there rent in twain by delight at the news andhorror at the inevitable doom of the culprit. 

"I repeat, " said the head master, "Hector was found this morning shot inhis kennel. Does any boy here know anything about it?"

Dead silence. The master's eyes passed rapidly along the forms, butreturned evidently baffled. 

"I trust I am to understand by your silence that none of you knowanything about it. There is no doubt whatever that the guilty personwill be found. I do not say that his name is known yet. If he is inthis room, "--here he most unjustifiably fixed me with his eye--"he knowsas well as I do what will be the consequence to him. Now go tobreakfast. I shall have more to say about this matter presently. "

If Dr Plummer had been anxious to save his tea and bread-and-butterfrom too fierce an inroad he could hardly have selected a better method. Dangerfield College was completely "off its feed" this morning. Indeed, Ramsbottom, the usher, had almost to bully the victuals down theboys' throats in order to get the meal over. The only boy who made anypretence to an appetite was the Dux, who ate steadily, much to myamazement, in the intervals of the conversation. 

"It's a bit of a go, ain't it?" observed Dicky Brown, who, despite hiseducational advantages, could never quite master the politest form ofhis native tongue. 

"Rather, " said I--"awkward for somebody. "

Then, as my eyes fell once more on Tempest, complacently cutting anotherslice off the loaf, an idea occurred to me. 

"You know, Dicky, " said I, feeling that I was walking on thin ice, "Ialmost fancied I heard a sound of a gun in the night. "

Dicky laughed. 

"Trust you for knowing all about a thing after it's happened. It wouldhave been a rum thing if you hadn't. "

This was unfeeling of Dicky. I am sure I have never pretended to knowas much about anything as he did. 

"Oh, but I really did--a shot, and a yell too, " said I. 

"Go it, you're getting on, " said Dicky. "You can pile it up, Tom. Whydon't you say you saw me do it while you are about it?"

"Because I didn't. "

"All I can say, " said the Dux, buttering his bread liberally, "I'mprecious glad the beast is off the hooks. I always hated him. Which ofyou kids did it?"

We both promptly replied that he was quite under a wrong impression. Wewere pained by the very suggestion. 

"All right, " said he, laughing in his reckless way, and talking quiteloud enough for Plummer to hear him if he happened to come in, "you'veless to be proud of than I fancied. If you didn't do it, who did, eh?"

That was the question which was puzzling every one, except perhapsmyself, who was undergoing a most uncomfortable mental argument as Islowly recalled the events of last night. 

"Give it up; ask another, " said Faulkner. "I'm precious glad I've notgot a pistol. " Here the Dux coloured a little, and relapsed intosilence. He disliked Faulkner, and objected to his cutting into theconversation. 

"One comfort, " said I, endeavouring to change the topic: "we may get offthat brutal Latin exercise if Plummer takes on hard about this affair. "

"Poor old Hector!" said Dicky. "If that's so, we shall owe him one goodturn at least--eh, old Compound Proportion?"

This pointed allusion to my misfortunes disinclined me to hold furtherconversation with Richard Brown, and the meal ended in general silence. 

As we trooped back to the schoolroom I overheard Faulkner say to anotherof the seniors--

"I say, did you see the way Tempest flared up when I said that about thepistol just now? Rather awkward for him, I fancy, if he's got one. "

"What's the odds if he didn't shoot the dog?" was the philosophicalreply. 

For all that, I had observed the Dux's confusion, and the sight of itmade me very uncomfortable on his account. Faulkner was right. Itwould be precious awkward for any one who might be discovered to possessa pistol. The fact that firearms were expressly forbidden atDangerfield College was itself, I am sorry to say, a strong presumptionin favour of Tempest having one. Besides, I had myself once heard himspeak about shooting rooks at home with a pistol. 

Oddly enough, chance was to put in my way a means of setting my mind atrest almost immediately. 

"I say, kid, " said the Dux, as I entered the schoolroom just before thetime, "I've left my Latin grammar in my locker upstairs. Look sharp, oryou'll be late again and catch it. "

That was his style all over--insult and injury hand in hand. He onlypractised it on fellows he really liked, too. 

"I say, I can't, " pleaded I. "Plummer will give it me hot if he catchesme again. I've got it pretty bad as it is. "

"I know you have; that's why I tell you to look sharp. " It was no goodarguing with Tempest. I knew he would risk his neck for me any day. That would be much less exertion to him than running upstairs. So Iwent. 

The Dux's locker, I grieve to say, was a model of untidiness. Cricketflannels, eatables, letters, tooth-powders, books, and keepsakes wereall huddled together in admired disorder to the full extent of thecapacity of the box. The books being well in the rear of the heap, andtime being precious, I availed myself of the rough-and-ready method ofemptying out the entire contents at one fell swoop and extracting theparticular object of my quest from the _debris_. 

I had done so, and was proceeding to huddle up the other things into acompact block of a size to fit once more into the receptacle, whensomething fell from the pocket of one of the garments with a clatter tothe floor. It was a pistol!

With a face as white and teeth as chattering as if I had seen a ghost, Iinstinctively pounced upon the tell-tale weapon, and whisked it, with ashudder, into my own pocket. Then, with decidedly impaired energy, Ipunched the bundle back into its place, slammed down the lid, andreturned to the schoolroom just in time to regain my place before DrPlummer made his entry. 

"You'll give yourself heart-disease if you rush up and down stairs likethat, " said Tempest as I handed him the book. "You look fishier thanever. "

"Latin grammar, juniors, " announced the doctor. "Close books. Jones, stand up and decline _gradus_. "

I declined, and fell. The excitements of the past six hours haddemoralised me altogether. I could not remember who or what _gradus_was--whether it was an active noun or a feminine verb or a pluralconjunction, or what. In vain the faithful Dicky prompted me frombehind and Graham minor from the side. As they both prompted at thesame time, and each suggested different things, I only floundereddeeper. I felt myself smiling vacantly first at one, then at the other, then at the doctor. I moved one hand feebly behind me in token of mydespairing gratitude to Dicky, and the other I laid convulsively on thecollar of Graham's coat. It was all of no avail, and finally, when Ihad almost reached the stage of laughing aloud, my mother wit came to myrescue and I sat down. 

This was the beginning of a tragedy of errors. With the ghost of Hectorhaunting us, none of us, except the Dux, who always kept his head, coulddo anything. The doctor's favours were lavishly and impartiallydistributed. Watkins, the "baby" of the class, made an ingeniouscalculation that if all the "lines" which were doled out as the resultof that morning's work were to be extended in one unbroken length, theywould reach exactly from Plummer's desk to the late Hector's kennel. Hector again! Every one's thoughts veered round to the unluckyquadruped and the storm that was brewing over his mangled remains. 

Morning school passed, however, without any further officialannouncement on the subject. When class was dismissed half an hourearlier than usual, it was tacitly understood that this was inconsequence of the obsequies of the late lamented, which were attendedby the Plummer family and the errand boy, not indeed in crape, but amidevery sign of mourning. 

We young gentlemen were not invited. Had we been, it is doubtfulwhether the alacrity with which some of us would have obeyed the summonswould have been altogether complimentary to the memory of the deceased. 

As it was, we loafed about dismally, discussing the topic of the hour incorners, and wished the storm would break and be done with. 

We had not long to wait!

CHAPTER TWO. 

A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE. 

As for me, I was very poor company for any one that afternoon ofHector's funeral. Something was burning a hole in my pocket, and I feltmyself in a most uncomfortable fix. 

"It's all up with old Dux, " said I to myself, "if it's found out. Butsuppose it's found on me? Still more precious awkward. I'd either haveto lump it or let out. Don't see much fun in either myself. Seems tome the sooner I get rid of the beastly thing the better. Fancy hisletting it lie about in his locker! He'd give me a hiding forinterfering, I know, if he only knew. But I wouldn't for anything hegot lagged. Old Dux is one of those chaps that has to be backed upagainst himself. Sha'n't be my fault if he isn't. "

The reader will have judged by this time that I belonged to the speciesprig in my youthful days. Let that pass; I was not a unique specimen. 

Full of my noble resolve of saving the Dux from himself, I went out totake the air, and strolled aimlessly in the direction of the pond. Aprofessional burglar could not have ordered his footsteps morecircumspectly. I perambulated the pool, whistling a cheerful tune, andlooking attentively at the rooks overhead. Not a soul was in sight. Ibegan to throw stones into the water, small to begin with, then larger, then bits of stick about six inches long. Then I smuggled the unluckypistol out of my pocket in my handkerchief, and whistled still morecheerfully. Although no one was looking, it seemed prudent to adopt anair of general boredom, as if I was tired of throwing sticks into thepond. I would only throw one more. Even that was a fag, but I would doit. 

What a plump, noisy splash it made, sending out circles far and near, and gurgling in a sickening way as it sank in a very unsticklike fashionto the bottom. 

My whistling ceased, my air of dejection increased. I must beunsociable no longer. Let me rejoin my dear schoolfellows, making alittle _detour_ in order to appear to reach them from the direction notof the pond but of the orchard. 

I was sheering off by the lower end of the pond, when, to my horror, Iperceived a boy groping on the grass on all fours, apparently digging upthe ground with a trowel. 

On closer inspection I found that it was Dicky. 

"Oh, it's you, is it?" said he, as I came upon him. "Have you donechucking things into the pond?"

"Why, " said I, taken aback; "why, Dicky, what on earth are you up to?"

"Never mind--an experiment, that's all. I'm glad it's only you. I wasafraid it was some one else. You must be jolly hard up for a bit of funto come and chuck things into the pond. "

"Oh!" said I, with tell-tale embarrassment, "I just strolled down forthe walk. I didn't know you'd taken to gardening. "

"There goes the bell, " said Dicky. "Cut up. I'll be there as soon asyou. "

I obeyed, mystified and uncomfortable. Suppose Dicky had seen thepistol! I found the fellows hanging about the school door waiting to goin. 

"Been to the funeral, kid?" said the Dux, as I approached. I wished hewould speak more quietly on such dangerous topics when Plummer waswithin earshot. 

"No, I've been a stroll, " said I. "It's rather hot walking. "

"I guess it will be hotter before long, " said some one. "Plummer looksas if he means to have it out this afternoon. "

"I hope he won't go asking any awkward questions, " said Dicky, who hadby this time joined us. 

"What's the odds, if you didn't do it?" demanded the Dux. 

"Look out, " said Faulkner; "here he comes. He's beckoning us in. "

"Now we're in for it!" thought we all. 

Plummer evidently meant business this time. The melancholy ceremony atwhich he had just assisted had kindled the fires within him, and he satat his desk glowering as each boy dropped into his place, with the airof a wolf selecting his victim. 

As I encountered that awful eye, I found myself secretly wonderingwhether by any chance I might have shot the dog in a fit of absence ofmind. Brown, I think, was troubled by a similar misgiving. Some of theseniors evidently resented the way in which the head master glared atthem, and tried to glare back. Faulkner assumed an air of realaffliction, presumably for the departed. Tempest, on the other hand, drummed his fingers indifferently on the desk, and looked more thanusually bored by the whole business. 

"Now, boys, " began Plummer, in the short sharp tones he used to affectwhen he was wont to administer justice; "about Hector. "

Ah! that fatal name again! It administered a nervous shock all round, and the dead silence which ensued showed that every boy present wasalive to the critical nature of the situation. 

"I have already told you what has occurred, and have asked if any onehere knows anything about the matter, " said the doctor. "I repeat thequestion. If any of you know anything, let there be no hesitation inspeaking up. "

No reply. Boys looked straight in front of them and held their breaths. 

"Very well, " said the doctor, his voice becoming harder and sterner, "Iam to understand no boy here is able to throw any light on the mystery. Is that so?"

If silence gives consent, no question was ever more emphaticallyanswered in the affirmative. 

"I hoped it would be unnecessary to ask the question twice, " said DrPlummer. "I decline to accept silence as an answer. Let the head boycome forward. "

Tempest left his place and advanced to the desk. 

"Tempest, do you know anything of this matter?"

"No, sir, " said Tempest. 

I felt the skin on the top of my head grow tight, and my breath catch inmy throat. Never had I known the Dux to tell a he to any one. What wasI to do when my turn came?

"Go to your seat. The next boy come forward. "

Parkin obeyed, and answered the question with a clear negative. 

"The next boy. "

The next boy was Faulkner, who I suspected would fain have been able tosay he knew anything. But for once he was at fault, and had to replywith an apologetic "No. "

In due time it was Dicky's turn. 

"Do you know anything of the matter, Brown?"

"No, sir, " said Brown, almost noisily. 

The doctor looked at him keenly, and then ordered him to his place. 

"Jones, come forward. "

I felt the blood fly out of my cheeks and my heart jump to my mouth as Iobeyed. As I passed up the room I glanced nervously at the Dux where hesat listlessly regarding the scene. But he took no notice of me. 

"Jones, " said the doctor, "do you known anything of this matter?"

The words would not come; and I glanced around again for succour. 

"Turn your face to me, sir, " thundered the doctor, "and answer myquestion. "

What could I say? Where could I look? The question was repeated oncemore. 

"I only know I fancy I heard a shot in the night. " I stammered at last. 

A flutter of interest went round the room. Failing all other clues itevidently seemed to be something to most of those present to elicit eventhis. 

"Why did you not say so when you were asked this morning?"

No answer. 

"Do you hear me, sir?"

"Please, sir, I couldn't be sure I had not been dreaming. "

"When did you hear this sound?"

"I don't know what time, sir; I had been asleep. "

"Was it light or dark?"

"Dark. "

"Is that all you heard?"

"I thought I heard a yell, too. "

"Did you get up or wake any of the others?"

"No, sir. "

"Did you do nothing at all?"

"I was frightened, sir, and hid under the clothes. "

"Is that all?"

Wasn't it about enough? I thought. 

"Yes, sir. "

I staggered back to my seat like a wounded man after a fray. I knew Ihad lost caste with the fellows; I had seriously compromised myself withthe head master. At least, I told myself, I had escaped the desperatefate of saying anything against the Dux. For the sake of that, I couldafford to put up with the other two consequences. 

The grand inquest came to an end. One candid youth admitted that all heknew of the matter was that he was very glad Hector was dead, and forthis impious irrelevance he was ordered to write an appalling impositionand forfeit several half-holidays. But that, for the time being, wasthe worst thunderbolt that fell from the doctor's armoury. 

The Dux was kindly waiting for me outside. If he was grateful to me heconcealed his feelings wonderfully; for he seized me by the coat collarand invited me to step with him to a quiet retreat where he administeredthe soundest thrashing I had had that term without interruption. 

Explanation, I knew, would be of no avail. Tempest made a point ofalways postponing an explanation till after the deed was done. 

When at length I gathered myself together, and inquired as pleasantly asI could to what special circumstances I was indebted for this painfulincident, he replied--

"For being an idiot and a sneak. Get away, or I'll kick you. "

Brown, whom I presently encountered, put the matter rather moreprecisely. 

"Well, " said he, "you told about as much as you could. How sorry youmust have been not to tell more!"

"Don't, Dicky;" said I; "I--I--"

"You're almost as big an ass as you look, " said Dicky, "and that'ssaying something. Come and see my experiment. "

I was not in a scientific mood, but anything was welcome to change thesubject. So I took Dicky's arm and went. 

Dicky was a queer boy. He was of an inventive turn of mind, and givenup to science. His experiments rarely succeeded, and when they did theyalmost invariably landed him in disgrace. Still he persevered and hopedsome day to make a hit. 

He explained to me, as we walked down the garden, that he had latelybeen taking an interest in the pond. 

It was all I could do to appear only moderately interested in thisannouncement. Had not I an interest in the pond too? What followed waseven more uncomfortable. 

"You know Lesseps and all those chaps?" said he. 

"He left before I came, I think, " said I. 

Dicky laughed unfeelingly. 

"I mean the chap who cut the Suez Canal, " said he. 

"Oh! I beg your pardon, " said I. "No, I don't know him. "

"Well, I've been having a go in at the same kind of job, " continuedDicky. "You know what a drop there is at the end of the pond, where yousaw me yesterday, in the shrubbery? Well, it struck me it wouldn't takemuch engineering to empty it. "

"What!" I exclaimed, "empty the pond! You'll get in an awful row, Dicky. Don't think of it. "

"Think--it's done, I tell you, " said the man of science. "That was whatI was at when you saw me. "

"I thought you were digging up primroses. "

"Digging up grandmothers! I was letting in a pipe to drain it. It wasa rare job to shove it in from the bottom corner of the pond through thebank into the shrubbery. But I managed it. It was coming through likeone o'clock when I left. I expect the pond will be empty by this time. "

I quailed with horror. If so, I should be discovered. I was tempted toturn tail: but that would be even worse. The only thing was to stay andsee it through. 

I confronted myself with the reflection that Dicky's experiments sorarely succeeded, that in all probability the pistol still lay safeunder four feet of water. If not--

"Hooray!" exclaimed Dicky, as we came in sight of the place; "it's donethe trick this time. See, Tom!"

I did see. In place of the water I left there in the morning was alarge empty basin of mud, with a few large puddles of water lying at thebottom, and a few hillocks of mud denoting the places which had oncebeen shallows. 

My quick eye hurriedly took in the dismal landscape. For a moment myspirits rose, for I could nowhere discern the compromising object Idreaded to see. It was no doubt buried in the mud, and as safe as ifthe pond were full to the brim. 

"Isn't it ripping?" said Dicky. "It wasn't easy to do, but it onlywanted a little management. I mean to go in for engineer-- Hullo, what's that rummy stone out there? or is it a stone, or a fish, or-- Isay, Tom, " he added, clutching my arm, "I'm bothered if that's not apistol!"

My white face and chattering teeth made reply unnecessary. There, snugly perched on a little heap of stones, as if set up for inspection, lay the unlucky pistol, gleaming in the afternoon sun. 

Dicky looked first at the pistol, then at me; and began slowly to takein the state of affairs. 

He took a cautious step out in the mud in the direction of the weapon, but came back. 

"I thought you could hardly be chucking in all those things for fun, "said he presently. 

I stood gaping in an imbecile way, and said nothing. 

"I know whose it is. He had it up here once before. "

"I say, " gulped I, "can't you let the water in again?" Dick had notconsidered this. His triumph had been letting the water out. However, he would see what could be done. 

We went down into the shrubbery. About a foot of water lay on theground, promising great fertility some day, but decidedly muddy-lookingto-day. 

"The thing will be to bung up the hole first, " said Dicky. 

So we set to work to hammer up the end of the zinc pipe and stuff theaperture round with sods and stones. I even sacrificed my cap to thegood cause. 

The bell began to ring before we had well completed the task. "Thatought to keep any more from running out, " said Dicky. "If we're lucky, the water will come in on its own hook at the other end. "

The theory was not exactly scientific, for scientific men do not believein luck. Still, it was the best we could think of as we turned to go. 

"Stop a bit, " said I, as we were leaving. "May as well tidy up a bit inthere before we go, eh?"

"In there" was the bed of the pond. 

"It might look better, " said Dick, turning up his trousers. We decentlyinterred the pistol in the mud, and raised a small heap of stones tokeep it down; and then cautiously obliterating our footsteps in the mud, we made for _terra firma_, and scuttled back to school as fast as ourlegs would carry us. 

Fortunately we entered unobserved, and disencumbered ourselves of ourmuddy boots without attracting attention to their condition. Tenminutes later we were deep in our work in the big schoolroom. 

Preparation that night was a solemn and gloomy ceremony. Dicky and Ikept catching one another's eyes, and then glancing on to where the Dux, cool as a cucumber, sat turning over the leaves of his lexicon. 

"He's got a cheek of his own, has Dux, " said I to myself. 

"If I didn't know it was him, " signalled the ungrammatical Dicky acrossthe room, "I should never have believed it. "

"You may make as many faces as you like at young Brown, " glared Tempestat me, "but if I catch you making any more at me, your mother will needsome extra pocket-handkerchiefs. "

"Jones, " observed Dr Plummer aloud, "a double _poena_ for aggravatedinattention. "

All right. I was getting pretty full up with engagements for one day, and began to think bed-time would be rather a relief. 

It came at last. In the dormitory Ramsbottom successfully interferedwith conversation by patrolling the chamber until the boys were asleep. No one doubted that he had been set to the task by the head master, andit augured rather badly for the resumption of the inquest next day. 

However, even patrols go to sleep sometimes, and when I woke early nextmorning the usher had vanished to his own chamber. My first thought wasnot Hector, or the doctor, or my _poenas_, or the Dux, but the pond. 

How, I wondered, was it getting on?

I routed up Dicky, and very quietly we dressed and slipped out. I knewthat my early rising, if it were discovered, would probably be set downto my zeal for discharging impositions. But even they must wait nowtill we were sure about the pond. 

For Dicky and I stood liable to as big a row as the assassin of Hectorhimself if anything went wrong with our experiment in engineering. Luckily very few fellows haunted this particularly muddy corner of thegrounds, and now that Hector was above a daily bath, there was littlechance of Plummer himself discovering the remarkably low tide on hispremises--still less of his poking about among the stones in the bed ofthe pool. 

To our great relief we found that our dam at the foot was holding outbravely, and that comparatively little water was trickling through thebank into the shrubbery. The flow at the upper end, however, wasdistressingly small, and though a whole night had passed we could stillsee the heap of stones under which the pistol was buried rising up fromthe shallow puddles around it, inviting investigation. 

With astounding industry we worked away that morning, widening anddeepening the little channel along which the rivulet made its way to thepond. And before we had done we had the satisfaction of seeing a fairlybrisk inflow. We would fain have waited to see the fatal little islanddisappear below the surface. But the first bell was already an soundingwhen the water completed the circle, leaving it standing up moreprominent than ever. 

To our horror, at this precise moment Tempest strolled down. 

"Hullo! what are you two after? Fishing? One way to catch them, letting all the water out. "

"It was an experiment, " said Dicky, who, like myself, was very pale ashe looked first at the Dux, then at the guilty hillock in the pond. 

"So it seems. In other words, you're making a jolly mess, and areenjoying yourselves. I hope you'll enjoy it equally, both of you, whenHummer sees what you've done. "

"Shall you tell him?" I asked, somewhat breathlessly. The Dux laughedscornfully. 

"You deserve a hiding for asking such a thing. Come here! Jump out onto that little island there, and stay there till I tell you. "

"Oh, Dux, please not, " said I, in a tone of terror, which was quite outof proportion to the penalty. The pistol was only two inches below thesurface!

"Do you hear? Look sharp, or I'll chuck you there. "

That might be worse. It might hurt me and cut up the soil. So I jumpedgingerly out, and stood poised with a foot in the water on either side, dreading at any moment to see the stones slip and the tell-tale gleam ofthe buried weapon. 

"If you don't stand properly, " said the Dux, "I'll make you sit down. Come along, young Brown, it's time we went up to school. "

"How long am I to stay, please?" I inquired. 

"Till you're in water up to the knees, " said the Dux, as he turned away, with the faithless Dicky beside him. 

Up to the knees! I stood loyally for five minutes, during which thewater gained about an eighth of an inch up my ankles. Then the secondbell rang, and things became desperate. 

Accordingly I knelt in the water until I could confidently assert that Iwas wet, very wet indeed, up to the knees; which done, I posted as fastas my ill-used legs would carry me to morning school. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

"WHEN SHALL WE THREE MEET AGAIN?"

Once more Dr Plummer reserved himself for the afternoon. Perhaps itwas the haunting tyranny of the defunct Hector; perhaps it was pique atbeing baffled, so far, in finding the culprit; whatever may have beenthe reason, he was in an ominously uncompromising mood when at last hereturned to the fateful question. 

"Come up, the first boy, " said he abruptly. 

The Dux was evidently getting tired of all this business (and no wonder, it seemed to me), and obeyed the summons not in the best of humours. 

"Tempest, " said the doctor, "I repeat my question of yesterday. Do youknow anything whatever of this matter?"

"No, sir--I said so, " replied the Dux, in a clear voice. 

Dr Plummer scowled somewhat at this tart reply. He rather liked hishead boy, and was not prepared to find him, of all others, recalcitrant. 

"I do not ask what you said, sir; I ask what you say, " said he. 

"I said No. I'm not a liar, " replied the Dux rather fiercely. 

The doctor received this rather more meekly than most of us expected, and proceeded with his next question. 

"Have you the slightest reason to suspect any one of having done it, orof knowing anything about it?"

Tempest remained silent, with flushed and angry face. 

"Do you hear me, sir?" asked the doctor, now thoroughly roused. 

"Yes, sir. "

"Then why don't you answer at once?"

"I would not answer the question if I could, " said the Dux defiantly. 

Dr Plummer stared at the boy as if he had been a wild beast. 

"How dare you say such a thing to me?" he demanded. "You heard myquestion. Have you the slightest grounds for suspecting any one?"

The Dux bit his lips and remained silent. 

"Do you hear, Tempest?"

No reply. 

"Go to your seat, sir. I will speak to you presently. "

Tempest obeyed, with head erect and a red spot on either cheek. 

We gazed at him in amazement. We had always given him credit forhardihood, but we had never believed him capable of mutiny of this kind;especially--

"Seems to me, " whispered Dicky, "he might as well tell right away. He'll get expelled either way. Anyhow--"

"Brown, come forward. "

Dicky started as if he had been detected in the act of holding a pistolto Hector's head. He was not in the least prepared to be summoned thusout of his turn; and morally he went to pieces as he rose to obey. 

"Mum's the word!" whispered I, encouragingly, as he started for thefront. 

The doctor was on the alert with a vengeance to-day!

"Jones, come forward too, " said he. 

It was my turn to jump now. 

"Now, sir, what was that you said to Brown just now?"

My back went up instinctively at his tone. 

"I said, 'Mum's the word, '" I replied as doggedly as I could. 

The doctor changed colour. This was getting serious. He had noprecedents for such a case at Dangerfield, and for a moment wasevidently at a loss how to proceed. 

Perhaps he regretted for once in a way the policy of believing a boyguilty till he can prove himself innocent. Whether he did or no, it wastoo late to surrender it now. 

"Go to your seat, Jones; I shall deal with you presently. "

I marched off, with all the blood of the Joneses tingling in my veins. The ingenuous Dicky was left to his ordeal single-handed. 

"Now, Brown, " said the doctor, "you have heard the question, to which Imean to have an answer--and I caution you before I repeat it, to becareful--I shall know what interpretation to put on any attempt toprevaricate. Tell me, Brown, do you know anything at all of thismatter, or have you grounds for suspecting any one of being concerned init?"

Dicky shut his mouth with a snap, and looked as if he wished devoutlysome one could turn a key on it and keep it so. 

"Speak, sir, " said the doctor, coming down from his desk. 

By one of those strange freaks of perversity which are so hard toaccount for, Dicky's spirits went up higher every moment, and when thedoctor stood over him and repeated the question a third time, he almost, I believe, enjoyed himself. He had never imagined courage was so easy. 

To his surprise Dr Plummer did not strike, but returned quietly to hisdesk. 

"Brown, " said he, "you may go. Tell the housekeeper to pack your box intime for the early train to-morrow. "

"What!" exclaimed poor old Dick, fairly electrified into speech; "am Iexpelled, sir?"

"You will be unless you speak at once. I give you a last chance. "

Dicky looked up at the doctor, then down at the floor. I knew thestruggle in his mind: the thought of his people at home, of the disgraceof being expelled, of the suspicions he would leave behind. Then Icould see him steal a doubtful glance at the Dux and at me, and thenpass his eye along the rows of faces eagerly waiting for his decision. 

Then he held up his head, and I knew dear old Dicky was as sound as abell. No one had the right to make him turn sneak--and no one should doit! "I'll go and pack, " said he quietly, and turned to the door. 

Neither the Dux nor I saw the last of poor Dicky Brown at Dangerfield. We were otherwise engaged when he departed home in a four-wheeled cab incharge of Mr Ramsbottom that evening. We were, in point of fact, indurance vile ourselves, with every prospect of speedily requiring theservices of two more four-wheeled cabmen on our own accounts. 

The Dux's fury at Dicky's summary expulsion had been quite a surpriseeven to me. 

"It's a shame, " he had shouted as the door closed; "a caddish shame!"

"Who said that?" asked Dr Plummer. 

"I did. I say it's a caddish shame!"

"So do I!" yelled I at the top of my voice, and quite carried away bythe occasion. 

This was getting very embarrassing for Plummer. Perhaps he behaved inthe best way open to him under the circumstances. He ignored us both, and proceeded to call up Faulkner to answer his precious questions. 

Much depended on Faulkner then. If he had refused to answer, as the Duxhad done, and Brown had done, and others were prepared to do, Plummermight have seen that his case was hopeless, and have given it up. Faulkner was nothing like such a favourite with the head master asTempest, nor had he such a following among the boys. Still, he led hisparty, and if he chose now to leave us in the lurch Plummer was savedand we were lost. 

"I know nothing of the matter, sir, " said Faulkner, "and I have noreason at all to suspect any one. "

It sounded a simple answer, but it was rank treason. For it was as goodas saying Plummer had a right to ask these questions, and that he, Faulkner, would inform if he only knew who the culprit was. 

After that it was evident the game, the Dux's game and mine, was up. Boy after boy was called up and interrogated, and one by one theyfollowed Faulkner in his submission. A few--like Graham junior--attempted to hold out, but broke down under pressure. A few feeblycompromised by explaining that had they known the culprit they would nothave answered; but as they did not they saw no reason for not saying so. 

"It comes to this, then, " said the doctor: "that out of the entireschool, three boys, and three only, are silent. The only conclusion Ican draw from their conduct is that they dare not deny that they knowsomething of this shameful outrage. Tempest, you are the head boy. Ihave always looked on you as a credit to the school, and a good exampleto your youngers. You see your present behaviour involves trouble toothers than yourself. I do not wish to be hasty in this matter, and amwilling to give you one more opportunity of answering my question. Doyou know anything of this affair, or have you any grounds for suspectingany one of being connected with it?"

The Dux flushed with indignation, glared straight at the head master byway of reply, and closed his lips. 

"Very well, sir. Jones, I now repeat the question to you. You are alittle boy, and there is more excuse for you, as you were led astray bythe bad example of a senior. I caution you now to do as the others havedone, and give me a plain answer to a plain question. Otherwise youmust take the consequences. "

I am afraid I blushed and looked far less determined than I would haveliked. But I did my best to glare back and tighten my lips like theDux. 

"Very well. Tempest and Jones, go to my study and remain there till Icome. "

We had not long to wait for our doom. The doctor was in the studyalmost as soon as we. 

We stood there while he wrote some letters and put away some books onthe shelves. Then he rang the bell, and handed the letters to theservant to post. After that he sat in his chair for a quarter of anhour in silence, evidently ruminating. 

At last he deigned to notice our presence. 

"Tempest, " he said, "I am very grieved at this. I had hoped betterthings of you. You know what the consequence must be to you?"

"I'm to be expelled, I know, " said the Dux. "The sooner the better. "

The doctor raised his eyebrows. There was no dealing with a reprobatelike this. 

"I have written to your grandfather to say you will return home to-morrow. "

"I'm sorry it's not to-night, " said the Dux. 

"And you, Jones, " said the doctor to me, not heeding the lastspeech, --"I am more sorry for you. You are a foolish, misguided boy. Even now, if you atone for your fault by replying to my questions, I amwilling to spare your mother the misery you seem bent on bringing uponher. "

This was a cruel thrust. The thought of my mother had crossed my mindonce or twice already, and almost brought the tears to my eyes. Itwould be hard to explain all to her--and yet, and yet, anything wasbetter than turning sneak. 

"I won't answer, " said I. "I'd sooner be expelled. "

"Your desire shall be gratified, " said the doctor drily; "to-morrow youwill go too. "

"Thank you, sir. "

"Tempest, you will remain here for the rest of the day--Jones, you willgo to the dormitory and remain there. I forbid you, either of you, tohold any communication with your late schoolfellows while you remainhere. "

Next morning after breakfast we were finally brought up before the wholeschool and harangued publicly by the head master. Our punishment, hetold us, we had deliberately brought on our own heads. Aggravatedinsubordination like ours was not to be tolerated in any school. He wassure we should soon regret and be ashamed of our conduct, if we were notso already. For his own part he would try to forget the unfortunateaffair, and to think kindly of us both. Mr Ramsbottom would seeTempest to the station, and the matron would escort me. 

"Good-bye, Tempest, " said he, holding out his hand. 

"Good-bye, " said the Dux, not heeding the hand, and walking to the door. 

"Good-bye, Jones. "

I shook hands. After all, Plummer, I thought, meant to be kind, thoughhe took an odd way of showing it. I was thankful when the ceremony wasover, and the Dux and I found ourselves with our luggage in the hallwaiting for our cabs. 

All at once the old school we were leaving seemed to become dearer thanI had thought. 

The hall where we stood was full of the memory of jolly comings andgoings. The field out there seemed to echo with the whizzing of ballsand the war-whoops of combatants. The very schoolroom we had just left, from which even now came the hum of work in which we were no more tojoin, had its pleasant associations of battles fought, friends gained, difficulties mastered. How I would have liked to run down to get a lastlook at the pond, or upstairs for a farewell glance round the dormitory!But now we were out of it--Dux and I. The place belonged to us nomore. We were outsiders, visitors whose time was up, and whose cabswere due at the front door at any moment. 

And what was it all for?

"If it hadn't been for that beast Hector, " said the Dux rather dismally, "we shouldn't have been out here, Tommy. "

He rarely called me by my Christian name. It was always a sign he wasout of sorts. 

"I do wish you'd missed him, " said I. 

"Missed him! What on earth do you mean?"

"Not made such a good shot--that's what I mean. "

"Shot! Young Brown, are you crazy?"

"Most likely, " said I, beginning to get hot and cold at the same time. "Why, do you mean to say you didn't, then?"

"Didn't what?"

"Shoot him. "

"Shoot him? Me shoot? I no more shot the beast than you did. "

The perspiration started to my forehead. 

"But the pistol. Dux?"

"What pistol?"

"The one I found in your locker, when I went to get your book, youknow. "

"That thing? It's been there all the term. It hasn't even got atrigger!"

"It's not there now. It's at the bottom of the pond. "

The Dux looked at me as if he were about to eat me up, I looked back asif I were ready for it. 

"You didn't shoot Hector, then?" I faltered. 

"What do you take me for, you young ass? Of course not. "

"Then Brown and I have both--"

"Brown? What about him? He didn't think I'd done it?"

"He wouldn't have been expelled if he hadn't. "

The Dux gave a whistle of mingled dismay and fury. 

"You know, " said I, "I saw you come in that night, just after I'd heardthe shot, and made sure--"

"Oh, you--you beauty!" cried the Dux, with a bitter laugh. "Why, I'djust gone down for my watch, which I'd left in my blazer, so as to windit up--and you--you actually go and set me down as a murderer!"

"Oh, Dux, I'm so awfully sorry! Let me go and tell Plummer. "

"If you do, I'll wring your neck. I wouldn't stay in this hole anotherday if he came on his knees and asked me. What right has he to want tomake sneaks of us? Do you mean to say you and young Brown thought allalong I had done it, and that I was telling lies when I said I didn't?"

"I thought perhaps you'd done it in your sleep, and didn't know. "

He laughed scornfully. 

"That's why you two were mum?" asked he. "Didn't want to let out onme?"

"Well, yes, partly. I'm awfully sorry, Dux. Will you ever forgive me?"

"Forgive you, kid! If I'd time I'd thrash you within an inch of yourlife for being such a fool, and then I'd thank you for being such atrump--you and Brown too. "

"Is it too late to do anything now?" asked I again. 

"Not for me--nothing would keep me here. But I don't see why you shouldbe expelled. I'll tell Plummer it was a mistake. "

"No, you won't, " said I, catching his arm. "I wouldn't stay here nowfor worlds. "

"It's rough all round, " said Tempest, looking profoundly miserable, asthe rumble of a cab came up to the hall door. 

"What will your mater say, kid?"

"She'll understand. I hope she won't send me back though. "

"Get her to send you to Low Heath. "

"She couldn't afford it. You'll write to me, Dux?"

"Most likely. Tell Brown how sorry I am. "

"Now, Tempest, ready?" said Mr Ramsbottom. 

"Good-bye, kid. I sha'n't forget you. "

Next minute he was off, and I was left alone. 

I do not deny that for a moment or two I found it convenient to rub myeyes. It was a hot day, and the light through the window was dazzling, I think. 

Then to my relief up came my cab, and under the stalwart escort of MrsPotts, the matron, I quitted Dangerfield for good. 

My journey home was, as may be imagined, not a festive one. What wouldmy mother say, or my guardian? What version of the story had Plummergiven them? It consoled me to work myself up into a fury as I sat inthe corner of the railway carriage, and prepare an indictment of hisconduct which should make my conduct appear not only justifiable, butheroic. 

Alas! heroism can rarely endure the rattle of a long railway journey. Long before we reached Fallowfield my heart was in my boots, and myfierceness had all evaporated. 

But a year ago my father had died, leaving me, his only child, to be thecomfort and support of my mother. What message of comfort or supportwas I carrying home to-day? What would my guardian, who had given mesuch yards of stern advice about honouring my betters, say when heheard? Should I be sent to an office to run errands, or passed on to aschool for troublesome boys, or left to knock about with no one to carewhat became of me?

With such pleasant misgivings in my mind I reached Fallowfield, andbraced myself up for the interview before me. 

CHAPTER FOUR. 

BRUSHING-UP THE CLASSICS. 

My guardian, I am bound to say, disappointed me. I had rather hoped, asI travelled home, that I would be able to put my conduct before him insuch a way that he would think me rather a fine young fellow, andconsider himself honoured in being my guardian. That my mother wouldtake on, I felt sure. 

"Women, " said I to myself--I was thirteen, and therefore was supposed toknow what women thought about things--"women can't see below the surfaceof things. But old Girdler was a boy himself once, and knows what it isfor a fellow to get into a row for being a brick. "

My sage prognostications were falsified doubly. My mother, though shewept to see me come home in this style, did me justice at once. Tothink I could ever have doubted her!

"Of course, sonny dear, " said she, kissing me, "it was very hard. Still, I am sure it would have been a shabby thing to tell tales. "

"I wasn't going to do it, at any rate, " said I, growing a little cocky, and deciding that some women, at any rate, can see more than meets theeye. 

But Mr Girdler, when he called in during the evening, was mostdisappointing. 

"So this is what you call being a comfort to your mother?" began he, without so much as giving me a chance to say a word. 

"Oh, but you don't understand, sir, " began I. 

"Don't understand!" said he. "I understand you are a naughty littleboy"--to think that I should live to be called a little boy!--"and thatthe mischief about your schooling is that you've not been smacked asoften as you ought. Understand, indeed! What do you suppose yourmother's to do with a boy like you, that's wasted his time, and thentells people they don't understand?"

"I don't think Tommy meant--" began my mother; but my guardian was tooquick for her. 

"No, that's just it. They never do, and yet you pay fifty pounds a yearto teach him. It doesn't matter to some children who else is troubledas long as they enjoy themselves. "

Children! And I had once caught Parkin at cover-point! "Go up to bednow, " said my guardian. "Your mother and I must see what's to be donewith you. Don't I understand, indeed?"

The conceit was fairly taken out of me now. To be called a little boywas bad enough; to be referred to as a child was even worse; but to besent to bed at a quarter to eight on a summer evening was the crowningstroke. Certainly, Plummer's itself was better than this. 

What my mother and guardian said to one another I do not know. Mymother, I think, had great faith in Mr Girdler's wisdom; and althoughshe tried not to think ill of me, would probably feel that he knewbetter than she did. 

I knew my fate next morning--it was worse than my most hideousforebodings. 

I was to work at my guardian's office every morning, and in theafternoon I was to go up and learn Latin and arithmetic at--oh, howshall I say it?--a girls' school!

For an hour after this discovery I candidly admit that I was sorry, unfeignedly sorry, I had not turned sneak and informed against HarryTempest. I think even he would have wished me to do it rather thansuffer this awful humiliation. 

I had serious thoughts of running away, of going to sea, or sweeping aLondon crossing. But there were difficulties in the way; the chief ofthem being my mother. 

"You mustn't worry about it, Tommy, " said she. "Mr Girdler says itwill be the best thing for you. It will be good for you to learn somebusiness, you know, and then in the afternoon you will find MissBousfield very nice and clever. "

"It's not the work I mind, mother, " said I; "it's--it's going to agirls' school. "

"There's nothing very dreadful about it, I'm sure, " said my mother, witha smile. "I was at one myself once. "

"But, " argued I, "you are only a--"

No--that wouldn't quite do to one's own mother. So I stopped short. 

"Besides, " said she, "Mr Girdler thinks it the best thing, and he isyour guardian. "

This was unanswerable, and I gave it up. 

But I was not at all consoled. The bare idea of Tempest, or Brown, orany of the other fellows getting to know that I, Thomas Jones, agedthirteen, who had held my own at Plummer's, and played in my day in thethird Eleven, was going to attend a girls' school, and be taught Latinand sums by a--a female, was enough to make my hair stand on end. Howthey would laugh and wax merry at my expense! How they would drawpictures of me in the book covers with long curls and petticoats! Howthey would address me as "Jemima, " and talk to one another about me in ahigh falsetto voice! How they would fall into hysterics when they metme, and weep copiously, and ask me to lend them hairpins and parasols!I knew what it would be like only too well, and I quaked as I imaginedit. 

My one hope was that at Fallowfield nobody knew me; at least, nobody whomattered. 

"At least, " said I to myself, "if I am to go and herd with a parcel ofgirls, I'll let them see I'm something better than a girl myself. "

When I presented myself at my guardian's office on the appointed morningin order to start on my commercial career, I met with a reception evenless flattering than I had pictured to myself. 

Mr Girdler was out, and had left no instructions about me. So for twohours I sat in the waiting-room, balancing my cap on my knee, and tryingto work up the spots on the dingy wall-paper into geometrical figures. 

When at last he came, so far from commending my patience, he had theface to reproach me for sitting there idle instead of getting some oneto set me to work. 

"You are not at school here, remember, " said he, by way of beingsarcastic; "you come here to work. "

"I worked at school, " said I meekly. 

"So I hear, " said he. "Now go to Mr Evans, and tell him you want ajob. "

Whereupon my genial guardian quitted me. But he came back a momentafter. 

"Remember you are to be at the girls' school at 2:30. Tell MissBousfield you are the little boy I spoke to her about, and mind youbehave yourself up there. "

Was ever a young man in such a shameful disgrace?

Three days ago I had imagined myself everybody; two days ago I had atleast imagined myself somebody; yesterday I had discovered with painthat I was nobody; and to-day I was destined to wonder if I was eventhat. 

Mr Evans raised his eyebrows when I delivered my message to him. 

"Are you the governor's little ward, " he inquired, "who's just finishedhis education? All right, my little man, we'll find a job for you. Runup High Street and bring me the time by the market clock, and here's ahalfpenny to buy yourself sweets on the way. "

It occurred to me as odd that Mr Evans should want to know the time bya clock which was quite ten minutes' walk from the office. Still, perhaps he had to set the office clocks by it, so I set off, wonderingwhether I ought to take the halfpenny, but taking it all the same. 

I decided that the dignified course would be to buy the sweets, but totake them all back to him, so as to impress him with the fact that I wasnot as devoted to juvenile creature comforts as he evidently thought me. 

"Is that all you have left?" said he, when, after accomplishing myerrand, I presented them to him. "My eye! you've made good use of yourtime, and no mistake. "

"I've not eaten a single one, " said I. 

"It would have been better for your digestion if you had only eaten asingle one, instead of swallowing half the lot. I know the ways of youboys. Well, what's the time?"

"It was twenty-five past ten. "

"I didn't ask you what it was--I want to know what it is. "

It then occurred to me for the first time that Mr Evans was ahumourist. It seemed to me a feeble joke, but he evidently thought it agood one, as did also the other clerks to whom he communicated it. 

The worst of it was that the more I tried to explain that, not having awatch of my own, I could not answer for the time by the market clock atany moment but that at which I saw it, the more they seemed to beamused. Some suggested I should go back with a bag and bring the timein it. Others, that I should put it on ten minutes, and then come back, so as to arrive at the exact moment it was when I left it. Others wereof opinion that the best way would be for me to go and fetch the marketclock with me. 

Mr Evans, however, decided that my talents were not equal to the taskof bringing the time in any shape or form, and that the best thing Icould do was to sit down and lick up envelopes. Which I accordinglydid, feeling rather small. I cut my tongue and spoiled my appetite overthe operation, and was heartily glad when, after a couple of hours, MrEvans said--

"Master Tommy, we're going to lunch. You've had yours, so you can stophere, and keep shop till we return. "

"I have to go to Miss Bousfield's at 2:30, " said I. 

"To go where?" they all inquired. And as I blushed very red, and triedto explain myself away, they made a great deal out of my unluckyadmission. 

"You're young for that sort of thing, " said one. "I didn't go courtingmyself before I was fifteen. "

"I'd made up my mind Sarah Bousfield was going to be an old maid, " saidanother. "Heigho! it's never too late to mend. "

"I hear she keeps sugar-plums for good little girls, " said another. 

"And the bad little ones get whipped and put in the corner. "

"He mustn't go like that, anyhow, " said Mr Evans, who, for aresponsible head clerk of a big business, was the most flippant person Ihad ever met; "look at his hair--all out of curl! Come here, littlegirl, and be made tidy. "

Once at Hummer's I had come in second for the half-mile under fourteen, and been captain of my side in the junior tug of war! Now I was to havemy hair curled publicly!

It was no use resisting. I was held fast while Evans with a longpenholder made ringlets of my back hair, and Scroop, with his fivefingers, made a fringe of my front. My hat, moreover, was decoratedwith quills by way of feathers, and a fan made of blotting-paper wasthrust into my hands. Then I was pronounced to be nice and tidy, andfit to go and join the other little girls. 

I fear that the energy with which, as soon as I was released, I derangedmy locks and flung the feathers from my hat, amused my persecutors asmuch as it solaced me. I was conscious of their hilarious greetings asI strolled up the street, trying to walk in a straight masculine way, but hideously conscious of blushing cheeks and nervous gait. I so farforgot myself that, in my eagerness to display my male superiority, Ijostled against a lady, and disgraced myself by swaggering on withouteven apologising for my rudeness--when, to my consternation, the ladyuttered my name, "Tommy. "

It was my mother! I was still within sight of the office. How Evansand his lot would make merry over this _contretemps_! They wouldn'tknow who it was who was putting her hand on my shoulder. And yet I amglad to say that I was spared that day the disgrace of being ashamed ofmy own dear mother. Let the fellows think what they liked. If they hadmothers like mine they wouldn't be the cads they were!

So, with almost unnecessary pomp, I raised my hat to my parent, and putmy hand in her arm. 

"You're going up to Miss Bousfield's, " said she; "I thought I shouldmeet you. What a hurry you were in!"

"Yes; I'm sorry I knocked against you, mother. "

"I'm glad you did. I'm longing to hear how you got on to-day. "

"Oh, pretty well. "

"Was it very hard work?"

"Not particularly. "

"You'll soon be quite a man of business. "

It occurred to me that if my business career was to be based on nobetter experience than that I had hitherto had in my guardian's office, I should not rank as a merchant prince in a hurry. 

"Would you like me to go with you to Miss Bousfield's?"

"If you like, mother. But I can go alone all right. " She was a brick. She guessed what I hoped she would say, and she said it. 

"Well, I'll be looking out for you at tea-time, dear boy, " said she. And she patted my arm lovingly as I started on. 

I wished those fellows could have heard her voice and seen her kindface. _She_ treated me like a man--which was more than could be saidfor them. 

I went on my way soothed in my ruffled spirits. But my perturbationrevived when I stood on the doorstep of the Girls' High School, and rangthe head mistress's bell. It was a bitter pill, I can tell you, for afellow who had once been caned by Plummer for practising on thehorizontal bar without the mattress underneath to fall on. 

Miss Bousfield was a shrewd, not disagreeable-looking little body, whosaved me all the trouble of self-introduction by knowing who I was andwhy I came. 

"Well, Jones, " said she--I liked that, I had dreaded she would call meTommy--"here you are. How is your mother? Why, what a state your hairis in! I really think you'd like to go into the cloak room; you'll finda brush and comb there. It looks as if your hair were standing on endwith horror at me, you know. "

Little she knew what my hair was on end about. I was almost grateful toher for the way she put it, and meekly retired to the cloak room, where--I confess it--with a long-tailed girl's comb, and a soft brush, and a big looking-glass, I contrived to restore my truant locks to theirformer masculine order. 

When I returned to the room. Miss Bousfield was sitting at a table, atwhich was also seated a young lady of about twenty, with an exercisebook and dictionary in front of her. 

Was it a trap? Was I to be taught along with the girls after all? MissBousfield evidently divined my perturbation and hastened to explain. 

"Miss Steele, this is Master Jones, who is going to read Latin with us. Miss Steele is one of my teachers, Jones, and we three are going tobrush up our classics together, you see. "

Oh, all right. That wasn't so bad. I had no objection to assist MissSteele, or Miss Bousfield, for the matter of that, in brushing-up theirclassics, as long as the girls at large were kept out of the way. 

I acknowledged Miss Steele's greeting in a patronising way, and thenlooked about for a chair. I wished Mr Evans and his lot could see howfar removed I was from the common schoolgirl; here were two femalesactually going to pick my brains for their own good. If women mustlearn Latin at all, they could hardly do better than secure a publicschoolboy to brush them up. 

"Now, let us see, " said Miss Bousfield, "how far we have all got. MissSteele, you have read some Cicero, I know, already. "

Cicero! That girl read Cicero, when I had barely begun Caesar! Thiswas a crusher for me. How about the brushing-up now?

"And you, Jones, have you begun Cicero yet?"

"Well, no, " I said, "not yet. "

"Caesar, then; I think we shall both be ready to take that up again. How far were you--or shall we begin at the beginning?"

"Better begin at the beginning, " said I, anxious not to have to confessthat I had not yet got through the first chapter. 

But before we had gone many lines, Miss Bousfield, I could see, began tohave her doubts about my syntax; and after a little conference aboutsyntax, the question of verbs came up, unpleasantly for me; and afterdeciding we had a little brushing-up to do there, the conversationturned on declensions, a subject on which I had very little definiteinformation to afford to these two females in distress. 

I verily believe we should have come to exchanging views on theindefinite article itself, had not Miss Bousfield taken the bull by thehorns, and said--

"I think the best thing, Jones, will be for us to assume we knownothing, to begin with, and start at the beginning. We shall easily getover the ground then, and it will be all the better to be sure of ourfooting. Let us take Exercise 1. In the grammar. "

Miss Steele pouted a little, as if to indicate it was hardly worth herwhile, as a reader of Cicero, to waste her time over "a high tree, " "abad boy, " "a beautiful table, " and so on. But I felt sure the exercisewould do her good, and was glad Miss Bousfield set her to it. 

She irritated me by having it all written down in a twinkling, and goingon with Cicero on her own account, while I plodded on up the "high tree"and around the "beautiful table. " I hoped Miss Bousfield would rebukeher for insubordination, but she did not, and I began to think much lessof both ladies as the afternoon went on. 

It did not add to my satisfaction to get my exercise back with fifteencorrections scored across it in bold red pencil--whereas Miss Steele'swas not even looked at. 

I thought of suggesting that it would be only fair that she and I shouldbe treated alike, when Miss Bousfield capped all by saying to hergoverness--

"Perhaps, Miss Steele, you will go through the exercise with Jones andshow him where he has gone wrong. Then he can write it out again foryou, and try not to have any mistake this time. "

This was really too much! To be passed on to a girl who was learningLatin herself, and for her to score about my exercises! It was aconspiracy to degrade me in the eyes of myself and my fellow-mortals. 

But protest was rendered impossible by Miss Bousfield quitting the roomand leaving me to the mercies of her deputy. 

"Why, " said Miss Steele, not at all unkindly, but with a touch ofraillery in her voice--"why were you such a goose, Jones, as to pretendyou knew what you didn't?"

"I didn't; I forgot, that's all, " said I. 

"Well, look here, Jones, " said she, in a friendly way--and, by the way, she was not at all bad-looking--"if you really want to get up Latin, andmean to work, I'll do my best to coach you; but if you're only playingat learning, I've something better to do. "

"I'm not playing, " said I. "I don't know why I've got to come and learnLatin at all. "

"I suppose you are going to a school some day, aren't you?"

"I've been to one, and I've left, " said I. 

"Left?" said she, with a little laugh. 

"Well, then, I was expelled, " said I. 

"Tell me all about it. "

And I did, and found her not only interested and sympathetic, butdecidedly indignant on my account. 

"It was a great shame, " said she, "especially as your friend never shotthe dog at all. "

"He's all right, lucky chap, " said I; "he's got an exhibition to LowHeath, and is going there after the holidays. "

"Why don't you get an exhibition too, Jones?"

The question astounded me. I get an exhibition! I who had been lickedonce a week for bad copies, and had been told by every teacher I had hadanything to do with that I was a hopeless dunce. 

"Why not?" said the siren at my side. "You're not a dunce. I can tellthat by the way you picked up some of the Caesar just now. You're lazy, that's all. That's easily cured. "

"But I'd have no chance at Low Heath. Tempest was a dab at lessons. "

"He's older than you. Besides, the junior exhibitions are not as hardto get. When will you be fourteen?"

"July next year. "

"Just twelve months. Why not try, Jones? I'll back you up. I'vecoached my young brother, and he got into Rugby. You needn't tell anyone--so if you miss nobody will be any the wiser. It will make all thedifference to have an exam, to aim at. "

I stared in wonder at Miss Steele. That young woman could have twistedme round her finger. 

"I'll try, " said I. 

"Not unless you mean to work like a horse, " said she. 

"All serene, " said I; "honour bright. "

"Then it's a bargain. Mark my word, we'll pull through. "

Whereat we fell hammer and tongs on Exercise Number 1. Of the grammar. 

CHAPTER FIVE. 

A "COACH" DRIVE!

If any one had told me two days ago that it would be reserved to anassistant teacher in a girls' school to inspire me with an ardentinterest in Latin and arithmetic I should have laughed him to scorn. 

Miss Steele, however, succeeded in achieving the impossible. I am boundto confess that my new-born ardour was not mainly due to affection forthe dead language in question, or even to esteem for my preceptress. But the idea of taking Low Heath, so to speak, by storm, had fairlyroused my ambition. The glory of rising superior to my fate, of shakingoff the ill-tutored Mr Evans and his works, and rejoining my oldschool-comrade with all the prestige of a fellow-exhibitioner, captivated my imagination and steeled me to the endurance of hardshipsof which I had hitherto conceived myself utterly incapable. 

Miss Steele had no notion of letting me off my bargain. She procuredparticulars of the examinations, and very formidable appeared the listof subjects as we conned them. Still she was firm in her belief that Icould do it if I only worked, and since her eagerness fully equalled myown, there was not much chance of my work dropping slack. 

If any other incentive was wanted it was the supreme discomfort of myposition at my guardian's office. 

My comrades there persistently misunderstood me. 

They put me down as an opiniated young prig, with whom all sorts ofliberties might be taken, and out of whom it was lawful, for their ownamusement, to take unlimited "rise. "

I was, of course, unmercifully chaffed about the girls' school. 

"He's getting on, " said one of them, on the very morning after my_debut_. "They walk out together. "

"That was not Miss Bousfield you saw me with at all, " I explained. "That was my mother. "

"Quite time she came to look after you, too. How did she like yourcurls? You should put them in papers overnight, then we shouldn't haveto do them every day. "

Where upon I was seized, and had my locks tied up in wads of blotting-paper, and ordered to sit down and lick envelopes, and not dare to putmy hand to my head till leave was accorded me from headquarters. 

In this plight my guardian came in and discovered me. 

"Please, Mr Girdler--" said I, not waiting for him to remark on mycurious appearance. 

But Mr Girdler, who was not ordinarily given to mirth, abruptly leftthe room with a smile on his face before I could proceed. 

When he re-entered he was stern and severe. 

"Make yourself decent at once, sir, " said he. "No, I don't want any ofyour explanations. No doubt they are highly satisfactory. I begin tounderstand now why you were sent away from school. It strikes me anidiot asylum is the proper place for you. "

I dismally tore my curl-papers out of my hair and went on with my worktill the blessed hour of release came. 

Then I hied straight to the nearest barber. 

"I want my hair as short as you can cut it, " said I. 

"Very good, sir; we can give you the county crop, if you like. "

"Is that the shortest you do?" inquired I, not knowing what the "countycrop" was. 

"Well, sir, we ain't asked to take more off as a rule, unless it is aclean shave you want. "

"No, the county crop will do, " said I. 

And, to do the barber justice, I got it. I barely knew myself in theglass when the operation was over. I had some misgivings as to theremarks of Evans & Company in the morning--at any rate, they wouldn'tcurl my hair any more. 

Miss Bousfield and Miss Steele regarded me with something like dismaywhen they saw me, but were polite enough to make no remark beyond givingme permission to wear my hat if I felt a draught. 

"Miss Steele has been telling me of your plan of work, " said MissBousfield; "and I fully approve, on the understanding you are seriousabout it. I am not so sanguine as Miss Steele is; still, I do not wishto discourage you, Jones. But understand, it means a year's hard work. "

I assured her I was prepared for any amount of work, and Miss Steele, whose ambition was as keenly aroused as mine, gave a general promise onmy behalf that I would work like a horse. 

"Now, " said she, when Miss Bousfield had left us, "you're in for it, Jones. If you don't work, mind, it will be a disgrace to me as well asyou. "

I fear, during the months that followed, this ardent young "coach" wasfrequently on the point of disgrace. For a week or two I surprisedmyself with my industry. Then I caught myself wondering at odd timeswhether I was really as sure of passing as I fancied, and whether, if Ifailed, it would not be a horrible sell to have worked so hard fornothing. 

Then for a day or so I came in a little late, and took to grumbling overmy tasks. 

"Now, look here, Jones, " said she, one day, "you were five minutes lateon Monday, ten minutes late on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a quarter ofan hour late to-day. How much is that in the week?"

"Forty minutes, " said I; mental arithmetic was a strong point with me. 

"Very good; there's forty minutes lost. The examination may turn on thevery lesson you might have learned in that time. Now, I'm not going tothreaten you, but what should you say if I were to call at the officeand fetch you every day?"

I nearly jumped out of my chair. 

"Oh, don't, please don't, Miss Steele!" said I. "I'll be here to thesecond, in future, I promise. "

"All right, " said she, with a smile, and the subject dropped. 

This dreadful threat kept me up to the mark for the next few weeks, buteven it lost its terrors in time, and my preceptress had to apply thespur in other ways as the time went on. 

Once, after I had been particularly slack, and had, moreover, been sorude to her that she ended the lesson abruptly, I thought it was all up. For, when I presented myself next day, I was informed by the servantthat Miss Steele was busy, and had no time to see me. 

I was locked out! My dismay knew no bounds. Suppose she had "chucked"me altogether, what would become of my chance of getting into Low Heath?

I retired home in great perturbation, and confided the state of the caseto my mother, who advised me there and then to sit down and write anapology. 

I had never done such a thing in my life. Once I had verbally beggedTempest's pardon for some error; but to commit myself in writing to agirl!

"My dear Miss Steele, " I wrote, --"I'm sorry. Yours truly, T. Jones. "

"That will do very well, " said my mother. "It's not too long, at thesame time it says what you want to say. "

I wasn't altogether pleased with it myself, but allowed the maid to takeit up to the school, with instructions to wait for an answer. 

In due time she returned with a missive from Miss Steele. 

"My dear Jones, --To-morrow as usual. Yours truly, M. Steele. "

I am sure no model letter-writer ever said as much in as few words. 

This little correspondence cleared the air for the time. No referencewas made to it when I turned up as usual the next day; but from the wayI worked, and the way she taught, it was evident we had both had ashake. 

My next relapse was even more serious. It came early in the spring, after our work had proceeded for about nine months. 

I really had made good progress all round. Not in Latin only, but inGreek grammar, arithmetic, and English, and was naturally inclined tofeel a little cocky of the result. 

"Don't crow, Jones, " she said; "you've a lot to do yet. "

But I did not altogether agree with her, and was inclined to indulgemyself a little of an evening when I was supposed to be preparing mywork. In an evil day I fell across an old book-shop, and found twobooks, which helped to undo me. One was a rollicking story of a piratewho swept the Western Main, and captured treasure, and seized youths andmaidens, and ran blockades, and was finally brought to book in asportsmanlike manner by a jolly young English middy, amid scenes ofterrific slaughter amidships. That was one purchase. The other waseven more disturbing. It was a "crib" to the arithmetic I was doing, with all the sums beautifully worked out and the answers given. 

So--I must make the confession--I astonished Miss Steele greatly for awhile by my extraordinary proficiency in arithmetic, and during the sametime spent my evenings in imagination on the high seas, flying aloft theblack flag, and shooting across the bows of Her Majesty's ships whereverI sighted them. 

This career of duplicity could not be expected to last long. Oneafternoon Miss Steele brought matters to a crisis by calling upon me towork a sum on the spot which was not in the book. 

I failed egregiously. 

"That's singular, " said she; "it's far simpler than those you broughtwith you to-day. How long did it take you to do them?"

I looked hard at Miss Steele, and she looked hard at me. The pirategame was up at last. 

"About two minutes each, " said I. 

"_Two_ minutes?"

"Yes--as fast as I could copy them out of the crib. I'm sorry, MissSteele. "

She shut up her book abruptly. 

"I didn't expect it of you, Jones, " said she; "you've been making a foolof me. I've lost confidence in you; now you can go. "

"Oh, I say. Miss Steele, I'm so awfully--"

"Be quiet, sir, and go!" said she, more fiercely than I had ever knownher. 

I took up my cap and went. She was in no humour to listen toexplanations, but it was clear I had done for myself now. After whathad happened she was not likely to give me another chance. 

I did not care to tell my mother how matters stood this time. It wouldbe difficult to put my case in a favourable light, and I was quite suremy mother could not help me out of my difficulty. 

I solemnly burned my crib that night in the parlour fire, after everyone was in bed. It took ages to consume, and nearly set the chimney onfire in the operation. But when that was done I was as far off asolution of my difficulty as ever. 

I hardly slept a wink, and in the morning my mother added to mydiscomfort by remarking on my looks. 

"You're working too hard, dear boy, " said she. "I must ask Miss Steeleto give you a little holiday, or you'll be quite knocked up. "

"Please don't, " said I. "I'm all right. "

Here the postman's knock caused a diversion. 

"A letter for you, Tommy, " said my mother. 

It was from Tempest, of all people--the first he had condescended towrite me since we had parted company in Plummer's hall nearly a yearago. 

It was a rambling, patronising effusion, in his usual style; but everyword of it, in my present plight, had a sting for me. 

"It's a pity you're not here, " wrote he; "it's a ripping place. Everything about the place is ripping except the drilling master and thedumplings on Mondays, which are both as vile as vile can be. I'm in theupper fifth, and shall probably get my ribbon and perhaps my house aftersummer. Plummer's was regular tomfooling to this. We've a match onwith Rugby this term, and I'm on the reserve for the Eleven. I supposeyou know young Brown is coming here; though I'm sorry to say as a dayboy. His people are going to live in the town, so he'll be able to comeon the cheap. I shall do what I can for him, but I expect he'll have ahot time, for the day boys are rather small beer. The exhibitionershave the best time of it. If Brown could get a junior exhibition andlive in school, he could fag for me and have a jolly time. But poorDicky hasn't got it in him. I got rather lammed after I got home fromPlummer's; but it was all right when Plummer wrote to say that a burglarhad shot the dog, and he was sorry there had been a mistake, and hopedI'd go back. Catch me! It's better fun here--as much cricket as youlike, and a river, and gymnasium, and all sorts of sprees. It wouldn'tbe half bad if you were here, kid; but I suppose you're a young gentwith a topper and a bag at your guardian's office. I hope it suitsyou--wouldn't me--" and so on. 

How this letter made me long to be at Low Heath, and how it made merealise what an ass I had been to go in for that crib! I really felttoo bad to go that day to Miss Steele, even if she would have let me!and wandered about cudgelling my brains how on earth I could get her totake me back again. 

She wouldn't believe my protestations, I knew; but she might believedeeds, not words. 

So I shut myself up in my room and took down my arithmetic, and workedout sum after sum all off my own bat, till my brain reeled and I couldhardly distinguish one figure from another. Some I knew were wrong, others I hoped were right; all were _bona fide_. I stuck to it tillnearly midnight, and then, merely writing my name on the top, put theminto an envelope, under the flap of which I wrote, "I've burnt the crib. Try me this once, " and posted them to my offended teacher. 

No answer came for twenty-four hours, which I spent on pins and needles, working away frantically during my leisure hours, and occupying part ofmy business time in personally avenging an insult offered to MissSteele's name by one of my guardian's junior clerks. I wished she couldhave seen me. I got a terrible blow on the eye, but I gave him two, andcaused him to regret audibly that he had spoken disparagingly of mycruel fair. 

Next morning a note came to my mother. 

"Please tell your boy I shall be in this afternoon. "

In fear and trembling I presented myself, and confronted not Miss Steelebut Miss Bousfield, who addressed me in terse and forcible language, andgave me to understand that I was a person of extremely second-ratecharacter and attainments. I acknowledged it, but hoped for anopportunity of improving her impressions. 

"I shall leave it to Miss Steele to do as she thinks best, " said thehead mistress. "I am sorry indeed her time has been wasted over aworthless pupil. You had better wait till she comes. "

I waited grimly, like a culprit for the jury. When she came in and saw, as I suppose, my woebegone face, I read hope in her manner. 

"I got your note, Jones, " said she. 

"Oh! I say, Miss Steele, I'm really frightfully sorry. I know it was acaddish thing to do, especially when you had been so kind. Look here, Idid all those sums myself, without help; and here's another batch I'vedone since; and--and--" (here I resolved to play a trump card) "and Igot this black eye sticking up for you. "

That settled it. She smiled once more and said, "Well, Jones, I'll sayno more about it this once. I had made up my mind it was no use ourgoing on together; but I'll try, if you will. "

"Try--I'll kill myself working, " said I, "to make up. "

"That wouldn't do much good, " said she; "but I'll try to forget all thisever happened, and we'll go on just where we left off. "

"That was page 72, " said I eagerly; "and, I say, Miss Steele, youremember my telling you about Tempest, and Dicky Brown, you know;well--"

"Is that on page 72, or is it something which we can talk about whenwork is done?"

So I got my chance once again, and this time I stuck to it. 

The nearer the time came, the more desperately we worked. SometimesMiss Steele had positively to hunt me out for a walk, or, if I would notgo alone, to drag me along with her to some place where, regardless ofour possible detection by Evans and his friends, we could combine freshair and education. 

The fatal day came at last when I had to go off to my ordeal. I wasobliged at the last moment to disclose my well-kept secret to my motherand my guardian. The former fell on my neck, the latter gruntedincredulously and embarrassed me by presenting me with a five-shillingpiece. 

Miss Steele came down to see me off at the station. "Keep cool, " saidshe; "sit where you can see the clock, and don't try to answer twoquestions at once. "

Never did tyro get better advice!

I was too excited to heed much of the big stately building I was soeager some day to claim as my own school. It was holiday time, and onlya little band of combatants like myself huddled into one corner of thebig hall, and gazed up in an awestruck way at the portrait of theJacobean knight to whom Low Heath owed its foundation. 

To me it was all like a dream. I woke to discover a paper on the deskbefore me; a paper bristling with questions, each of them challenging meto get into the school if I could. Then I remember dashing my pen intothe ink and beginning to write. 

"Keep cool. Keep your eye on the clock. Try one question at a time, "echoed a voice in my ear. 

How lonely I felt there all by myself! How I wished I could turn andsee _her_ at my side!

The clock crawled round from eleven to three, and I went on writing. Then I remember a hand coming along the desk and taking the papers outof my sight. Then a bewildered train journey home, and a hundredquestions at the other end. 

I went on dreaming for a week, conscious sometimes of my mother's face, sometimes of Miss Steele's, sometimes of Mr Evans's. But what I didwith myself in the interval I should be sorry to be called upon to tell. 

At last, one morning, I woke with a vengeance, as I held in my hand apaper on which were printed a score or so of names, third among which Imade out the words--

"Jones, T. --(Miss M. Steele, High School, Fallowfield): Exhibition, £40. "

So I was a Low Heathen at last!

CHAPTER SIX. 

UP TO FORM. 

I have reason to fear that for a fortnight after I received theastounding news of my scholastic success I was an intolerable nuisanceto my friends and a ridiculous spectacle to my enemies. 

I may have had some excuse. I had worked hard, and got myself into a"tilted" state of mind altogether. Still, that was no reason why Ishould consider that the whole world was standing still to look on at mytriumph; still less why I should patronise my mother and Miss Steele andMiss Bousfield as three well-intentioned persons who had just had anobject-lesson in the inferiority of their sex. 

My mother and Miss Steele were too delighted to mind my airs. They werereally proud--one to be my mother, the other to be my "coach. " And whenI strutted in and talked as if they barely knew how honoured they wereby my company, they laughed good-humouredly, and said to one another, --

"No wonder he's pleased with himself, dear boy. "

Miss Bousfield was less disposed to bow the knee. 

"I hope you won't forget what you owe to Miss Steele, " said she. "Inever hoped she could make as much as she did of such unpromisingmaterial. It's what I always have said--good teaching can make ascholar of a dunce. "

"Ah, " said I, "you thought I was a dunce. I determined you should see Iwasn't. I am glad your school gets the credit of the exhibition. "

"I'll wait and see how you turn out, before I am glad, " said she. "Ihope the High School will not get a reputation for turning out prigs, Jones. "

I couldn't quite understand Miss Bousfield. She was not as cordial as Ithought she might be, considering the honour I had brought upon herschool. 

My guardian's clerks were even less impressed by my distinction thanshe. 

"What's the matter this morning?" said Mr Evans on the day of mytriumph, as I sat smiling inwardly at my desk. 

"Nothing particular, " said I. 

"It looks as if it was bad stomach-ache--I'd try camomile pills, if Iwere you. "

"Thank you--I don't require pills. If you want to know, I've been upfor an exam, and passed. "

"Been up where?"

"Up for an exam. --an examination, " said I, surprised at their density. 

"Where, at the girls' school?"

"Girls' school, no; at Low Heath. " Mr Evans looked grave, and beckonedhis comrades a little nearer. 

"Awfully sad, isn't it?" said he, with a seriousness which surprised me. 

"Yes. It's a good institution, though. My uncle tried to get a case inthere once, but failed. " I wasn't surprised to hear that. 

"They only let the _very_ dotty ones in, " said Mr Evans. "Besides, it'll be a part payment case--at least, I should think the governor willplank down something. "

"It's worth £40 a year for four years, " said I, understanding veryimperfectly the drift of these remarks, but pleased at least to find Ihad succeeded in impressing my fellow-clerks. 

"Ah, so much?--they can't treat cases like yours for nothing. When areyou going in?"

"In September. It's a splendid place--five hundred fellows there. "

"So many! It's rather sad to think about, isn't it, Hodges? Fivehundred! What a lot of trouble there is in the world, to be sure!"

"I can't say I shall be sorry--I know one or two chaps there already. "

"Very likely, if it runs in the family at all. "

"What runs?" said I, not taking him. 

Mr Evans tapped his forehead. 

"Never mind, " said he, "it's not your fault. I expect four years willdo marvels with you. We'll come and see you sometimes, on visitingdays. "

"Ah, I don't suppose there are visiting days, except for parents, " saidI. 

"I know one or two of the staff, though, " said one of the party. "Ishall be able to hear about you from them. "

"Oh, all right, " said I. "I hope things here will go on all right whenI'm at school. "

"School?" said Mr Evans, stooping with his hands on his knees, andlooking into my face. "Did you say school? Is Low Heath a school?"

"Rather. What did you think it was?"

"We thought it was an idiot asylum, " said Mr Evans. And a shout oflaughter at my expense confirmed his statement. 

I did not deign to explain; and for the few days I remained at theoffice I made no further reference to my academic triumphs, though mycomrades rarely failed to make merry over the asylum. 

At the end of a fortnight I began to come to myself, and realise that Ihad not exactly borne my honours blushingly. And I was glad when mymother proposed a week or two at the seaside, to brace up beforeplunging into the ocean of public school fife. 

My guardian, who had of late grown fairly civil to me, in the prospectof getting me off his hands, was good enough to release me from theoffice; and I shook the dust of that detestable place off my feet withunfeigned thankfulness. 

Mr Evans wanted to get up a farewell supper for me, and I was very nearallowing myself the honour, when I accidentally discovered that all theprovisions were to be ordered in my name and the bill sent to me. Whereupon I declined the invitation with thanks, and regretted that aprevious engagement would prevent my having the pleasure of joiningtheir party. 

Once in the quiet of the seaside, with my mother for companion, Irecovered my proper frame of mind, and began to take sober views of theprospect before me. 

I wrote to Tempest--rather a cocky letter, perhaps, but one full ofdelight at the prospect of joining him at Low Heath, and claiming hispatronage and support. 

His reply was characteristic to say the least. 

"The examiners for exhibitions here are the biggest muffs out. Theyplough the only men worth having and let in no end of scugs. Theconsequence is. Low Heath is packed full of asses, as you'll find out. I'm glad they let you in, though, as it will be sport having you hereand making you sing small. I do hope, though, it won't get out thatyou've been coached by a female, or there'll be a terrific lark. I'mgetting quite a dab at photography, and shall have my camera up nextterm. Mind you get the right-shaped boiler, or I shall cut you. Thekids are to be stopped wearing round tops like their betters, so you'dbest cut yours square. Brown was too 'cute to try for an exhibition. It's bad enough for him to be a day boy, but it would be a jolly sightworse to be an exhibitioner as well. When you come up, mind you're notto collar me. It's bad form for a kid to collar a senior. Wait till Ispeak to you, or else get some chap to bring you and introduce you. Fellows who shirk form get jolly well lammed; so you'd better go easy atfirst. Bring plenty of pocket-money, and some thick boots for kickingchaps back. --Yours truly, H. T. Tempest. "

This letter both gratified and perturbed me. It was pleasing to behailed as one of the inner circle of a fellow like Tempest; but it mademe suspect that I should not be taken into the fold at my own valuation, but that of my betters, which in a public school is a very differentthing. The little details, too, about dress and manners rather startledme. For supposing I had gone up not knowing these things, what mistakesI should have made! Suppose, for instance, I had gone up in a billycockwith a round instead of a square top; or suppose I had hailed Tempestwithout his first speaking to me, what would have become of me? Itrembled to think of it, and was glad to feel I had a friend at courtwho would see I didn't "shirk form. "

What made me still more uneasy was the reference to my connection with agirl's school. The prize list had made it appear, to any one who didnot know better, that I was a pupil from Miss Steele's, High School, Fallowfield. Suppose this list should get into the hands of any of thefellows, or that some other new boy should carelessly leave his copyabout! I wished I had had more sense than to mention the High School atall. This came of my chivalrous desire, said I to myself, to give MissSteele and her principal the benefit of my distinction. Now I mighthave to thank them for endless trouble. I did my best to hope the worstwould not happen. 

"Fellows never read prize lists of exams, they've not been in for, "thought I; "and when they have been in, they never trouble themselvesabout any one's name but their own. Why, I haven't even noticed where asingle other chap comes from. They may all be girls' schools, for all Iknow. It's not likely any one has noticed mine. "

And to avoid all accident I dropped mine into the fire, and had to standmy mother's reproaches for destroying a document she had intended totreasure till her dying day. 

As the time for my going to Low Heath approached, I began to turn myattention seriously to my _trousseau_. 

My first care was to get the square-topped boiler, and a rare job I hadto procure it. None of the hatters in Fallowfield knew of such a shapein young gents' hats; and the shopkeepers in Wynd, whither I went overon purpose, were equally benighted. My mother, too, protested that shehad never heard of such a kind of hat, and that it would be hideous whenI got it. 

That was no fault of mine. It was the Low Heath form, and that wasenough for me. 

At length I heard of a hat of the kind at Deercut, five miles off, andwalked thither. It had been made, said the hatter, for a young sportingparty who attended to a gentleman's stables, and knew a thing or two. He had got into trouble, it was explained, and was "doing his time onthe circular staircase, " which I took to mean the treadmill. That wasthe reason the article had been thrown on the maker's hands. It seemedjust the thing Tempest described. The top was as flat as the lid of awork-box; indeed, it was precisely like a somewhat broad-brimmedchimney-pot-hat cut down to half height; and after a little pinching inat the sides fitted me beautifully. The maker was delighted to be ableto suit me, and smiled most graciously when I paid him my five shillingsand walked out of the shop with my junior exhibitioner's "boiler" on myhead. 

I set down to envy or ignorance the jeers of the village youths whoencountered me on my way home. Some people will laugh at anything theydo not understand. My mother's protests, when she saw me, however, werenot so easy to dispose of. 

"Why, Tommy, it makes you look like a common cheap-jack, " said she. "It's not a gentleman's hat at all. I'm sure they would not tolerate itat Low Heath. "

"On the contrary, " said I, "it's the form there. You might say the sameof mortar boards or blue-coat dresses. It all depends on the school. "

"But are you sure Tempest was not exaggerating?"

"Tempest is the most particular chap about form I know, " said I. 

"Well, dear, promise me you won't wear this dreadful hat till you go toschool. Wear your nice cap that suits you so well till then. "

I humoured her. Indeed, I was a little shy myself of meeting Mr Evans, or any of that set, in my new garb. They would be sure to pass theirnasty personal remarks upon it. It would be better to preserve it inits virgin purity for my entrance to Low Heath. 

I took the precaution to write to Tempest and mention that I had got it, appending to my letter a rough sketch of the hat, so that, if there wereanything wrong about it, he would be able to correct me. 

He wrote back in great good spirits. 

"Just the thing, kid. It'll take the shine out of all the boilers uphere. Did I tell you about gloves? The knowing ones mostly sportlavender; but the outsiders don't wear any, except at the first call-over in the term, when of course it's compulsory. One muff last termgot pretty well lammed because he only had two-button gloves instead ofsix. I believe one or two others were just as bad, only they didn't getkotched; but it was a lesson to them. I wonder if young Brown will beup to the tips, or whether he'll turn up in black boots instead of tan. I sha'n't write to him, because he's a town-boy, and it would be low. Ta-ta. Don't forget to wear your collar outside your great-coat, or Isha'n't speak to you. --Yours, till then, H. T. "

I kept this letter carefully from my mother. I knew it would onlydistress her, and suggest all sorts of difficulties. For, dear soul, itwould be so hard to explain to her the exigencies of school form. Whatwould have become of me without old Tempest? I should have come utterlyto grief, I felt. My only fear was that he might have forgottensomething which it was as important I should be made aware of as thehat, or the six-button lavender gloves, or the tan boots. 

I am afraid I must plead guilty to a little duplicity in the matter ofpurchasing these highly necessary articles of my kit. I had to persuademy mother to allow me to choose my own gloves and boots; and expendedthe money in such a manner that I could show her an ordinary pair ofeach, while the special articles were carefully concealed in my box. She thought the cheap black shoes and dog-skin gloves I paraded beforeher dear at the price; but she little knew that I had safely stowed awayan elegant pair of light lavender gloves and a pair of tan boots of themost fashionable appearance. 

I had some difficulty about the former. For six-button gloves for younggents was not a "stock-line" in any of the shops. I had finally to geta lady's twelve-button pair and cut them down to suit my requirements. The tan boots were more easily procured, although it grated somewhatagainst my feelings to be sent over to the ladies' side of the shop toget them, as they were not kept for boys on the men's side. As it was, I feared they did not come up to Tempest's description of "thick bootsfor kicking back in, " but they were the thickest I could procure. 

At length my preparations were all complete. My mother had been anangel about them all. She had let me have my own way, and forbornecriticism when my taste--or rather my conjecture as to what the LowHeath form might demand--ran counter to hers. On this account she madeno remark about my check shirts, or the steel chain which, after themost approved fashion, came out from under the side of my waistcoat andsupported the weight of my keys in my side trouser pocket. I confess itwas an inconvenient arrangement. It was impossible to unlock myportmanteau without either half undressing, or kneeling down so as tobring the end of the chain on a level with the keyhole, or else standingthe portmanteau on a chair or table to bring it up to the key. But itwas undoubtedly the smart way of carrying keys. So the tailor said, andso one or two friends in whom I confided also assured me. 

I was really quite glad when I had sat down on the floor beside my trunkfor the last time, and knew I should not have to perform with the keyagain till I was unpacking at Low Heath. 

My handbag, for certain reasons, I carried with me unlocked. Itcontained, to tell the truth, the hat and gloves and tan boots and other_articles de rigueur_ which I did not exactly like to start off in, butwhich I was resolved to don during the journey, so as to dawn on the LowHeath horizon altogether "up to Cocker, " as Tempest would say. 

At the last moment my spirits failed me a little. I had been so takenup with my own plans that I had almost forgotten I was leaving my mothersolitary, and turning my back on the sunshine of affection which duringthe last year had come to be such a natural and soothing feature of mysurroundings. 

"Don't forget the old home, Tommy, " she said. "God bless you and keepyou good, and innocent, and honest! Don't be led astray by badcompanions, but try to help others to be good. And, Tommy dear, don'ttry to be a man just yet--be the dear boy you are--don't try to beanything else, and--" But here the train began to move, and there wasbarely time for a farewell kiss. 

What she said ran rather in my head, especially the last exhortation, which I was sorry she had uttered. For I was quite sure she wasreferring to my nervous desire to do everything correctly at the newschool; and it grieved me that she should speak of it as trying to besomething I was not. 

Of course I would remember all she said. There was not much fear of mybeing led astray; it was much more likely that I, as an exhibitioner, would be looked up to by some of the ordinary small boys to show them alead. What with Tempest to befriend me at headquarters, and my prestigeas a scholar, and the fact that I knew a pretty good deal about schoolalready, it was as likely as not I might be instrumental in helping oneor two lame dogs over the stiles of their first term. 

My only travelling companion was a motherly sort of person of the farmerclass, who eyed me affectionately--too affectionately to please me--andattempted to condole with me on the sorrow of leaving home. 

"Never mind, dearie, " said she--Cheek! for a stranger to call a chap"dearie. "

"You'll be a bit lonely at first, so you will; but you'll get used toit, and it won't be so long to holiday time, and then you'll see mammaagain. "

I wished she wouldn't. She misunderstood me. I wasn't thinking aboutthe holidays at all. The fact was, I was thinking about my boots andhat in the bag, and wondering when I should put them on. 

Bother it! Why should I mind her or her remarks? Some other new chapmight get in at the next station, and I couldn't change before him. I'dbetter get myself up to form now, and so be ready. 

So, to the old lady's surprise, I proceeded to take off my shoes and puton the thick tan boots in their place. She watched me in mingledadmiration and surprise--no doubt the fresh yellow was very imposing, and made me look as if I was shod in gold. But the High Street at LowHeath would presently be sparkling with a hundred pairs of such boots, so what mattered an old lady's temporary astonishment? It was the sameabout the hat--indeed worse. For at the sight of that particularlysporting adornment, she threw up her hands and exclaimed, --

"What a funny little fellow, to be sure!"

I tried to look grave, and as if I had not heard her, but I felt veryconscious of the hat all the same, and only hoped another new boy wouldget in presently, so that she might see that a thing might be thefashion and yet she not know it. 

I was a good deal perplexed about the lavender gloves. Of course, I hadnot to wear these until call-over that afternoon, or possibly nextmorning. But I might as well try them on now. And the difficulty wasthat it was very difficult to button the six buttons all the way upwithout baring my arm half-way at least to the elbow. I made a feebleattempt, but it presented so many difficulties, and evidently soseriously perturbed my companion, that I abandoned the attempt, resolving to try them on under the bedclothes that night. 

At the first station a youth of about my own age, with a hat-box andbag, got into the carriage. Was he, I wondered, a Low Heath chap?Evidently not. He wore a straw hat, and boots of the ordinary colour, and--Whew! what a lucky thing I had not forgotten it! He wore his whitecollar inside the velvet of his great-coat. And so should I havecontinued to do, had not the sight of him called Tempest's injunction towear it outside to my memory. I availed myself of the next tunnel torectify this serious omission, and had the satisfaction, when we emergedinto daylight, of noticing that neither of my fellow-travellers appearedto pay much heed to the change. They both stared at me now and then;but the boy evidently grew tired of that, and curled himself up in acorner of the carriage and read a _Boy's Own Paper_. 

I presently followed his example, and what with reading, and speculatingon my coming entry into Low Heath, and an occasional thought for thelittle home at Fallowfield, the time went quickly by. 

"Is this Low Heath station?" inquired I, as the train began to slackenspeed. 

"Yes, " said the boy, regarding me from head to foot with evidentlyincreased curiosity. "Are you a new kid at the school?"

"Yes, " said I. 

"Oh my! What a lark!" said he. 

I was glad he thought it so. 

"Are you at the school?" inquired I. 

"Looks like it, " said he, getting together his traps hurriedly, andbounding from the carriage with what I fancied was a broad grin on hisface. 

So here I was at last!

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

COMING DOWN A PEG OR TWO. 

I had half hoped Tempest would be down at the station to meet me. Buthe was not: and I had to consider on the spur of the moment how to makemy entry into Low Heath. 

Either I might walk, as I noticed a good many of the fellows who got outof the train did, or I might charter a private fly, as a few of theswells did, or I might go up in one of the school omnibuses, which wasevidently the popular mood of transportation. I was so earnestlydesirous to do the correct thing, that I was nearly doing nothing atall, and finally found myself standing almost alone on the platform withthe last omnibus ready to start. 

Surely they might make some arrangement, thought I, for meetingexhibitioners and taking them up. How did I know this omnibus was not atown-boys' vehicle, or one dedicated to the service of the inferiorboys? Perhaps it would be better--

"Right away, Jimmy; off you go!" called one of the youths on theknifeboard, whom I recognised as my late travelling companion. 

At this point I decided I would risk it, and go up by omnibus after all. 

"Wait!" I called. "I'm coming too. "

"Fire away, Jimmy. Cut along!" shouted the youth. They could not haveheard me, surely. The omnibus was actually moving!

"Hi!" called I, beginning to follow, bag in hand; "wait for me. "

"Lamm it on, Jimmy, " was the delighted cry from the knifeboard, as ascore of heads craned over to witness the chase. The spectacle of anordinary youth giving chase to an omnibus crowded with roysteringschoolboys is probably amusing enough; but when that youth has his whitecollar outside the collar of his great-coat, and wears brilliant tanboots and a flat-topped billycock, it appears, at least so it seemed tome, to be exceedingly funny for the people on the omnibus. 

"Put it on, " called one or two, encouragingly; "you're gaining!"

"Forge ahead, Jimmy; here comes the bogey man!" cried another. 

"Whip behind!" suggested a third. 

"Anybody got a copper for the poor beggar?" asked a fourth. 

By a desperate effort, at last I succeeded in coming up with the runawayomnibus, when to my disgust I discovered that it was one of thoseforbidding vehicles of which the step disappears when the door isclosed. So that I had nothing to hold on to, still less to climb on to;and to continue to run with my nose at the door, like a well-trainedcarriage dog, suited neither my wind nor my dignity. 

So I gave up the chase and dropped behind, covered with dust andperspiration, amid frantic cheers from the knifeboard and broad grinsfrom the passengers on the pavement. 

In such manner, I, an exhibitioner and a living exponent of the latest"form, " entered Low Heath! I was almost more grieved for the schoolthan for myself. Those fellows on the omnibus evidently didn't know whoI was. To-morrow, when they found out, and saw me arm-in-arm withTempest, they would be sorry for what they had done. 

I confess that, as I walked up the steep street, and caught sight atlast of the chimneys of the school peeping up over the trees, I halfwished myself back at home with my mother. I hadn't expected to feel solonely. I had indeed looked forward to a little pardonable triumph inbeing recognised at once as the fellow who had taken the entranceexhibition, and who evidently knew what was what. Of course it wasfoolish, I told myself, to expect such a thing. Fellows could hardly beexpected to know who I was until they were told. Still it was alittle--just a little--disappointing, and I could not help feeling hurt. 

I tramped on, till presently I came to the bridge, and loitered for amoment to rest and watch the boats flitting about below. There went afour, smartly manned by youngsters no older than myself. There lolled abig fellow in a canoe. There swished by a senior in a skiff, calling onthe four-oar to get out of the way as he passed. There, too, stood amaster in flannels, with the Oxford Blue on his straw, talking to agroup of boys. I wish I could have overheard what they were saying. Perhaps they were discussing the merits of some of the new boys. 

I strolled on, passing on the way inquisitive stragglers who stared hardat me, till I came to where the road skirts the cricket field. Here, ata broken paling, I stood a moment and glanced in. Fellows were bowlingand batting at the nets, others were strolling arm-in-arm up and down, hailing new arrivals; others were enjoying a little horseplay; otherswere critically examining the last season's pitch; others, impatient ofthe seasons, were punting about a brand-new football. 

How out of it I was! and yet how sure I felt that if some of thosefellows only guessed who was on the other side of the palings they wouldfeel interested!

I strolled on farther, and began now to pass the outbuildings. Therewas a lecture room, empty at present. Should I be there to-morrow? Iwondered, answering to my name and seeing fellows open their eyes asthey heard it. 

There was the gymnasium, I supposed--the place presided over by thedrill master whom Tempest so much detested. I meant to back Tempest upin that feud. 

Ah, there was the Lion Gate, standing open to receive me. Little I hadexpected, when once before I entered it on my way to examination, that Ishould so soon be coming back, so to speak, in triumph like this. 

It took some little self-persuasion, I must confess, to feel that itreally was a triumph. I did think Tempest might have been on the look-out for me. I did not know where to go, or of whom to inquire my way. The boys I met either took no notice of me at all, or else stared sorudely at my hat and boots that I could not bring myself to accost them. At length I was beginning to think I had better march boldly to thefirst master's house I came to, when, as luck would have it, I stumbledup against my old travelling companion, who, having safely arrived aquarter of an hour before, was now prowling about on the look-out forold acquaintances. 

"Please, " said I, "would you mind telling me the way to Mr Sharpe'shouse?"

"Are you a Sharper then?" he inquired. "My word! what are we coming to?Why didn't you come up by the 'bus?"

"I tried to, " said I; "you wouldn't stop. "

"Jim's horses were a bit shy, " said he, with a grin. "They can't beheld in when they see a moke. You should have got in quietly, withouttheir spotting you. "

I didn't like this fellow. He appeared to me to think he was funny whenhe was not. 

"Do you know if Tempest has come?" said I, hoping to impress him alittle. 

"Who?"

"Tempest--Harry Tempest. He's at Sharpe's too. "

"What sort of looking chap is he?" demanded the youth, who, I suspected, could have told me without any detailed description. 

"He's one of the seniors, " said I; "he was in the reserve for the Elevenlast term. "

"Oh, that lout? I hope you aren't a pal of his. That would aboutfinish you up. If you want him, you'd better go and look for him. Idon't know whether every snob in the place has come up or not. "

And he departed in chase of a friend whom he had just sighted. 

This was depressing. Not that I believed what he said about Tempest. But I had hoped that my acquaintance with my old schoolmate wouldredound to my own dignity, whereas it seemed to do nothing of the kind. 

Presently I encountered a very small boy, of chirpy aspect, whom Ithought I might safely accost. 

"I say, " said I, "which is Mr Sharpe's house?"

"Over there, " said he, pointing to an ivy-covered house at some littledistance higher up the street. Then, regarding me attentively, headded, "I say, you'll get in a jolly row if he sees you in that get-up. "

"Oh, " said I, feeling that the youngster was entitled to an explanation, "I'm an exhibitioner. "

"A who? All I know is he's down on chaps playing the fool. You'dbetter cut in on the quiet before they bowl you out in that thing, " saidhe, pointing to my hat. 

That thing! True, I had not observed many hats like it, so far, at LowHeath; but that was probably because I had not encountered any otherfellow-exhibitioner. Tempest knew more about the form than this kid. 

"Thanks, " said I. "Mr Sharpe will know who I am. "

"Oh, all right, " said he; "don't say I didn't tell you, that's all. "

"I say, " said I, feeling that enough had been said on a matter on whichwe evidently misunderstood each other, "do you know Tempest?"

"Rather. He's in our house. You'll get it pretty hot from him if youcheek him. "

"Oh, I know him well; he's an old chum. "

The boy laughed incredulously. 

"He'd thank you if he heard you say so. Oh my! fancy Tempest-- Hullo, Isay, there he is. Cut away, kid, before he sees you. " And the youthset me a prompt example. 

I was sorry he had not remained to witness the fact that I was not quitethe outsider he took me for. 

Tempest was strolling across the road, arm-in-arm with a friend. Hecertainly was not got up in the "form" which he had prescribed for me. He wore a straw hat on the back of his head, and boots of unmistakableblackness. But then, though an exhibitioner himself once, he had nowattained to the dignity of a senior, and was probably exempt from thelaws binding on new boys. 

As he approached I crossed the road to meet him, full of joy at theprospect of encountering at least one friend, and marching under hisprotection into my new quarters. But I was doomed to a slightdisappointment. For though for a moment, when he looked up, I fanciedhe recognised me, he did not discontinue his conversation with hisfriend, but drew him out into the middle of the road. They seemed to beenjoying a joke between them. His companion looked round once or twiceat me, but Tempest, who was looking quite flushed, apparently did nottake me in, and walked on, looking the other way. 

It was a little shock to me, or would have been had I not remembered hisfriendly warning about the etiquette of a junior not accosting a seniortill the senior accosted him. I wished he had spoken to me, for justthen his help would have been particularly patronising. As it was, Iwas tantalised by seeing him pass by close to me, and yet being unable, without "shirking form" in a reprehensible way, to bring myself to hisnotice. 

In due time I reached Mr Sharpe's house. To my dismay the door stoodwide open, and the hall was crowded with fellows claiming their luggageas it was being deposited by the railway van. As I arrived there was anominous silence, in the midst of which I stood on the step, andcarefully rung the bell marked, not "servants, " but "visitors. " No onecame, so after a due interval, and amid the smiles of the onlookers, Imustered up resolution to ring again, rather louder. This time I hadnot to wait long. A person dressed as a sort of butler, very red in theface, emerged from a green baize door at the end of the passage andadvanced wrathfully. 

"Which of you young gents keeps ringing the bell?" demanded he. "He'sto be made an example of this time. Oh, it was you, was it?" said he, catching sight of me. 

"Yes, " said I. "Is Mr Sharpe at home?"

"At home?" demanded the official, redder in the face than ever. "Youseem to be pretty much at home. " Then, apparently struck by myappearance, he pulled himself up and honoured me with a long stare inwhich all the assembled boys joined. 

"Who is it?"

"One of the porters from the station, I should say, from the looks ofhim, " suggested a boy. 

"Whoever it is, don't you ring that visitors' bell--do you hear?" saidthe man-servant. "If you want anything, go round to the side door anddon't interfere with the young gentlemen. "

"But I'm a new boy, " said I. "I'm--I'm an exhibitioner;" at which therewas a great roar of laughter, which even my self-satisfaction couldhardly construe into jubilation. 

I began to have a horrible suspicion that I had committed some great_faux pas_ by ringing the visitors' bell, and blushed consciously, tothe increased amusement of my fellow "Sharpers. "

"Can I see Mr Sharpe?" I inquired, thinking it best to take the bullby the horns. 

"Can't you wait?" said the servant. "Do you suppose the master hasnothing to do but run out and see--wild Indians?" Here followed anotherlaugh at my expense. "He'll see you quite soon enough. "

Here a shove from behind precipitated me into the bosom of the speaker, who returned me with thanks, and before I could apologise, into thehands of the sender. Thence I found myself passed on by a side impetusto a knot of juveniles, who, not requiring my presence, passed me on toa senior standing by, who shot me back to a friend, who sent me forwardamong the boxes into the arms of the matron, who indignantly hustled meup the passage, where finally I pulled up short in the grasp of agentleman who at that moment emerged from the green baize door. 

In the confusion I had lost both my hat and my presence of mind. I wasfar too confused to observe who the new-comer was, and far too indignantto care. All that I called to my mind as I reeled into his clutches wasTempest's directions about kicking back, which accordingly I proceededto do, with all the vigour of which my new tan boots were capable. 

Mr Sharpe suffered this assault meekly for a second or two, then heheld me out stiffly at arm's length, like a puppy in a fit, anddemanded, --

"What do you mean, sir, by behaving like this?"

I was bound to admit that it was a natural inquiry from a person whoseshins had been considerably barked by my new boots. I felt as if I owedMr Sharpe an apology. 

"Please, " said I, "I didn't mean to do it. The boys shoved me, and Ididn't know where I was going, really, sir. "

Mr Sharpe seemed inclined to believe me. He was a florid-looking, spectacled young man, with sandy whiskers, and a grip--oh that grip!--that could have lifted me easily over the Lion Gate. 

"Boys, " said he, "let us have none of this nonsense, or I must set ahouse theme. Is Mrs Smiley here?"

Mrs Smiley, looking anything but the "moral" of her name, appeared indue course. 

"Mrs Smiley, will you please take charge of this new boy and keep himout of trouble? Run away with Mrs Smiley, my little man; and you, boys, as soon as you have claimed your boxes, clear out till registerbell. "

What I did my ears deceive me? Was I, an exhibitioner, a scholar whohad come up to Low Heath in all the _eclat_ of the latest "form, " thefriend of Tempest, the fellow who had made things too hot for himself atDangerfield--was I, I say, to be handed over to a sort of washer-womanlyperson to be kept out of mischief, and called "my little man" in thepresence of the whole house? Was this my triumphant entry then?

No sooner had Mr Sharpe retired, than greetings of "My little man, ""Spiteful Sarah, " "Run along with his Smiley, then, " beset me on allsides. I would fain have explained and corrected any wrong impression, but they only laughed when I tried; finally, when Mrs Smiley grabbed atmy hand and walked me off the scene like a baby, my humiliation wascomplete. 

Mrs Smiley, who was far too busy with the young gentlemen's luggage torelish the extra duty put upon her by Mr Sharpe, had a very summary wayof dealing with cases of my kind. 

"Sit down there, and don't move till you're told, " said she, pointing toa little three-legged stool in a corner in the box-room. 

"But--" began I. 

"Hold your tongue; how dare you speak to me?" she retorted. 

"I only--"

"Stand in the corner, with your hands behind you, for disobedience, "said she. 

This was getting serious. The little three-legged stool would not havebeen exactly luxurious; but to be stood in the corner with my handsbehind me by a person of the feminine gender called Smiley, was reallytoo bad. The worst of it was that if I made any further protest I mightbe smacked in addition, and that possibility I hardly dared risk. 

So, rather to my own surprise, I found myself standing in the corner, with my hands at my back, scrutinising a blue and pink rose on the wall-paper, and wondering whether it would not be worth my while to write tothe _Times_ about the whole business. I could not help thinking thatMrs Smiley did not hurry herself on my account. I was conscious of boxafter box being dragged to the front, emptied of its contents and putback, to be removed presently by a porter, who probably looked at meevery time he came in, but, I am bound to say, received very littleencouragement from my studiously averted head. 

After nearly an hour I began to get tired, and the blood of the Jonesesbegan to rise within me. I was seriously meditating mutiny, or at leasta definite explanation with Mrs Smiley, when at last she broke silence. 

"Now, young gentleman, this way, please. "

And she led me to a small comfortable-looking apartment, which Isurmised to be her particular sanctum. 

"What's your name?"

"Jones, " said I. 

"Ah--you're the boy who's brought down a rubbishy speckled waistcoat andloud striped shirts--eh?"

"Well, yes, " said I. 

"Did your mother buy them for you, or did you buy them?"

"I did. "

"I can see your mother's a lady by the way she has everything else done. You'll find your own trash just where you put it, in the bottom of yourtrunk. You will not be allowed to wear it. We expect our boys to dresslike young gentlemen, whether they are such or not. What's that in yourhand, Jones?"

"My hat, " said I, hoping I was coming in for a little credit at last. 

"Hat!" Here she was rude enough to laugh. "What made you bring a thinglike that here for a hat?"

"But, " said I, "I'm an exhibitioner. "

"All the more shame on you not dressing like a gentleman. Look at thoseboots; I am sure your mother did not buy them for you. Take them off atonce, sir--and put on your proper ones. "

"Aren't they--isn't it the thing, the form, you know, for--"

"Form! Fiddlesticks. The thing at Low Heath is to behave and dresslike gentlemen, not like vulgar, public-house potmen, " said she, with anaccess of indignation which surprised me. "To think that you, with anice mother like yours, should come up here a fright like that! There, put the shoes and hat in the trunk with the speckled waistcoat andshirts, and get yourself up decently, and then I'll speak to you. "

I was under the impression she _had_ spoken to me--pretty strongly too. This, then, was the end of my elaborately prepared toilet!

A horrid suspicion began to come over me at last, not only that Tempesthad been having a little joke at my expense, but that I had lent myselfto it with an alacrity and eagerness which had almost--nay, very nearlywholly--been ridiculous. 

What does the reader think?

My further conversation with good Mrs Smiley, after I had, to use herown expression, made myself decent, only tended to confirm the painfulimpression. I even went to the length of adding, of my own accord, mysix-button lavender gloves to the pile of sacrificed finery whichstrewed the bottom of my trunk. And when in due time a bell rang, andMrs Smiley said, "There now, go down to call-over, and don't be a sillyany more, " I obeyed with a meekness and diffidence of which I couldhardly have believed myself capable, had I not been quite sure of thefact. 

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

TEMPEST TALKS TO ME LIKE A FATHER. 

As I entered the hall, in which were already assembled most of my fellow"Sharpers, " the first idea which occurred to me was that Low Heath wasnot such a big place after all. I had expected to encounter the wholeschool, instead of some fifty boys of my own particular house, and itwas a relief to me to find that, for the present at any rate, I was toblush before only a limited company. 

The next thing that struck me was that these fellows evinced wonderfullylittle interest in my appearance; which, considering the active interestthey had shown in me not long since, was quite a shock. I had made upmy mind to be howled at and laughed out of countenance. Instead ofwhich they contented themselves with a half-glance to see who the new-comer was, and then went on talking together as if nothing had happened. 

The conceit was already sufficiently knocked out of me to enable me totake this indifference in good part. Possibly when my name was calledreference would be made to my exhibition, which would make a few of themlook twice at me; but for the present I was glad to be left alone. 

At first I could distinguish nobody; but in a little I caught sight ofTempest's head among the seniors of the house. He did not see me, nordid he appear to be looking out for me. 

Suddenly some one called "Seats!" an order that was so promptly obeyedthat it left me standing alone near the door at which I had entered. 

"Seats--can't you hear?" said some one near me. I made promptly for thefirst empty desk I could see. The youth at the end of the row had hisback partly turned, and it was necessary to push vigorously past him toarrive at my destination. 

"Look out, you mule!" said he; "you trod on my-- Hullo, Sarah, how areyou?" and a friendly kick on the shins helped me wonderfully on my way. 

It was my old acquaintance of the railway carriage; and next to him wasthe small youth who had been so terribly concerned about my costume inthe morning. 

He put his feet up on the desk in front, and gave me the option ofclimbing over or crawling under. He was about three-quarters my size;but he had such an air of authority about him, that I hardly liked tosuggest a third alternative, namely, that he should put down his feetand let me pass. So I climbed over, much to his indignation (which heexpressed by sticking a nib into me as I passed). 

"I say, " he began, "you'll catch it. That's not your desk. "

I was aware of that, and devoutly hoped the real owner would not arriveon the scene. 

"If Tinker kotches you-- Hullo, what _have_ you done with your patentboots?"

"I've changed them, " said I; "but do you think Tinker's coming?"

"We'll keep him out if he does--"

Just then one of the seniors on the front form, who had been talking toTempest, leant back, and said in a loud whisper to the boy at the end ofthe form in front of ours--

"White, see all the new kids have their gloves on properly. "

Gloves? I felt my teeth begin to chatter in my head. 

Had I not flung my gloves along with my hat and boots into my trunk, thinking they would not be needed? I had considered them as part ofTempest's little joke. But evidently I had made a fearful mistake. Forthe senior who had given the admonition was not Tempest at all, but hisnext neighbour; and the fact that it was not given to me but to amonitor made it clear that, however I had been humbugged over the otherdetails of "form, " gloves were the order of the day for new boys atfirst call-over. 

In a panic I rose and tried to go out, with the wild idea of rescuing mygloves from my trunk. But it was impossible to escape. Not only had mycompanion his feet up more uncompromisingly than ever, but my suddenmovement called down upon me general remarks. 

"Shut up I sit down, can't you?" said my neighbour. "What are you upto?"

"My gloves--I've--I've left them upstairs. "

"Your what?"

"Gloves. I thought it was a mistake about new boys having to wear them, and didn't bring them. "

The boy looked grave. 

"Oh, you'll catch it! You can't go now. There's Sharpe coming in. Haven't you got any at all?"

"Only my ordinary gloves. "

"What colour?"

"Yellow. "

"Stick them on then. "

"But they've only two buttons. "

"Can't be helped. You're bound to catch it, but they're better thannothing. "

So, in dire agitation, I drew on my new dog-skin gloves. The smiles ofthe boys near me I interpreted as a grim recognition that I had "shirkedform" and did not know any better. I longed to explain that I did, andthat I had not come to Low Heath as ignorant as they supposed. But itwas impossible. Mr Sharpe was already in his place, and "register" hadbegun. 

Register, a ceremony with which I was destined to become painfullyfamiliar in time, consisted in the calling over of the names of all theboys in the house, in order of place, by the minor prefect, who took hisstand at the side of the master's desk for the purpose. Instead ofanswering "Here" or "Adsum, " in the usual way, the boy whose name wascalled stood in his place and held up his hand. 

I had been so preoccupied with the lack of my six-button lavender glovesand the remarks of my two left-hand neighbours, that I had failedaltogether to observe the boy on my right, who now quietly nudged me, and presented to my astonished gaze the serene and serious countenanceof Dicky Brown. 

"What have you got your gloves on for?" inquired he, as if he had seenme daily since we parted. 

"It's the form. Haven't you got any? I say, you'll get in a jollyrow, " said I, quite delighted to be able to lord it a little over aninferior. 

"Why--who told you?"

"Tempest. "

"Tempest's a regular humbug. He tried to stuff me up by making me bringa cheese-cutter cap. But I wasn't such a fool as I look. "

Alas! it was my turn to colour up. Had Dicky, I wondered, seen mysquare billycock?

At that moment Tempest's name was called, and we saw our old Dux risecomplacently in his seat and hold up his hand. 

It was difficult to feel angry with him. He looked so cool anddetermined, his shoulders were so square, and the year that had elapsedsince we met had added three good inches to his stature. It was afeather in a fellow's cap to know Tempest, even if he did have hislittle joke at one's expense now and then. 

I came to the conclusion that Dicky and I must be the only two new boysin the house, for none of the numerous hands, grimy and otherwise, whichwent up were cased in anything but their native skin. 

Presently the register clerk came to an end of his list, and I wasbeginning to congratulate both myself and Brown on our probable escapefrom detection when Mr Sharpe said--

"New boys, come forward. "

My left-hand neighbour interposed no obstruction now, as, followed byDicky, I sidled out of my place and advanced along with five otheryouths to the front. I was conscious of smiles as I went past thedesks, some of recognition of the late owner of the tan boots, some ofappreciation of my blushes, and others, as I supposed, of the greennesswhich had led all my companions to commit the fatal error of notappearing in gloves, and of my error, though in a smaller degree, ofappearing in bright yellow two-button goods instead of lavender of theregulation half-dozen. 

I exchanged glances with Tempest, among others, who looked very serious, and was evidently chagrined that after all his kind trouble on my behalfI should now land myself in this dilemma. Good old Tempest! It wasn'this fault. 

"Answer to your--" began Mr Sharpe, when, suddenly catching sight ofme, he said--

"Why, sir, what nonsense is this? What do you mean by wearing thosegloves?"

"I beg your pardon, sir, " I faltered, and felt that not a word of myspeech was being lost by the assembled house; "I've left my lavendersix-button gloves in my trunk. "

Mr Sharpe's mouth curled at the corner in a curious way, and a generaltitter greeted my explanation from the benches behind. 

I was fully convinced now that, after all my care, the very solecism Ihad planned so carefully to avoid had tripped me up at last. 

"Take them off at once, sir, and let me have no more of thisfoolishness. You are making a bad start. Were you not the boy I had tospeak to in the hall this afternoon?"

"Yes, sir. I am sorry I kicked your shins. I hope I didn't hurt much. I thought you were one of the boys. "

I am sure I meant no harm by it, but he seemed to regard this as astudied insult, and visited me with his wrath not only for it but forthe smiles from the boys behind which accompanied it. 

"What is this boy's name?" he inquired severely, looking round. 

I wondered who would answer the question; it was evidently not intendedfor me. It astonished me that Mr Sharpe should not apply atheadquarters; I am sure I could have told him. "I think, " said a voicewhich I recognised as Tempest's, "his name is Jones, sir. "

Think! Surely Tempest might have had a little more confidence thanthat. 

"Perhaps you will see what you can make of him presently, Tempest. Ifhe has any intelligence at all, " (nice, wasn't it, for an exhibitioner?)"you may be able to make him understand some of the rules of the place. If not, I am afraid we shall have to put him down as a silly little boy, and bear with him accordingly. Go to your seat now, sir, and reportyourself to Tempest after register. "

It was not a very dignified end to the interview. Still, I felt myselflucky to be handed over to the tender mercies of my old comrade, andretired to my place a puzzled but not an amused boy. 

What perplexed me most was to notice that Brown and the other new boyswho had no gloves at all, and did nothing but answer the questions putto them in the plainest possible way, not only passed muster, butreceived words of approval and encouragement from the master such as Iwould have given a great deal to have got myself. But such is life. The fellows who take the most pains and deserve most, get least; and thefellows who have least to boast of receive more than they expect. 

I was glad when register was over and the time came for me to have anexplanation with Tempest. 

"Look here, " said the candid youth next to me, "you'd better sit up whenyou go to Tempest, I can let you know. He's cock of our house thisterm, and he's not over-tender with idiots, I can let you know. "

"What, has he been down on you?" I inquired meekly. 

The only reply I got was a touch on the calf which made me exclaim "Oh!"rather more loudly than I should have chosen to do under ordinarycircumstances. Luckily the general movement of the class somewhatdeadened the sound, and if Mr Sharpe heard me, he did not consider itworth his while to deprive Tempest of the task of elucidating the reasonof it. 

I kept my man carefully in view, and followed him upstairs into a littlestudy about the size of a commodious sentry box, with a window, book-case, sofa, table, chairs, and all the requirements of a single man offew needs. It seemed to me a delightful little sanctum; and for amoment I began to wonder whether, being an exhibitioner, I might not beentitled to one like it for myself--perhaps this _was_ mine. 

Tempest soon disabused me of that notion. 

"Light the fire, and stick on my kettle, kid, " said he--they were thefirst words after more than a year--"and cut and get us a muffin fromthe shop. "

"I say, " said I, longing for rather more cordial a recognition, "I amjolly glad to see you again, Tempest. "

Just then another senior popped his head in. 

"Have tea with me. Tempest? Come on, Wales is coming too. "

"Is Crofter coming?"

"No. "

"All right, I'm on; thanks, Pridgin. Blow that fire out, kid. "

"Is that kid your fag?"

"Not likely. "

"Is he all there? Sharpe seemed to doubt it. "

Tempest shrugged his shoulders. 

"How soon? Ten minutes?"

"Yes--not longer. "

"Now, kid, " said Tempest, when we were left alone, "how long are yougoing to play the fool? Take your time; but let us know when you'vedone, that's all. "

"Really, I'm not fooling; I know I ought to have had on the lavender--"

Tempest laughed. A jolly laugh it was, though it frequently preceded alicking. 

"You mean to say you sucked in all that rot? I thought I'd just see howfar you'd let yourself be humbugged; I'm sorry I didn't tell you tostand on your head. I don't doubt you'd have done it. "

I had painful reason to think he might be right. 

"Why, even Dicky Brown was too old a bird for that sort of chaff, " saidTempest; "he twigged it at once--and he's a day boy. Hand me that caneout of the cricket box, there's a good fellow, and hold out your hand. Don't yell; only muffs do that. "

"What?" I exclaimed, "am I to be licked, Dux?"

"Don't call me Dux here. Yes, rather--three on each hand. "

"But Mr Sharpe only said--"

"Sharpe--what's he got to do with it? Come on, look alive, or I shallbe late for tea. "

I could barely be angry with him. He didn't seem to be able to see thematter from my point of view at all, and was so genuinely friendly withit all. 

"The third will be a hot one, " said he, as I held out my hand; "but Idon't want to break the cane--it's a good one. "

The third _was_ a hot one. 

"Hurt you much?" said Tempest, carefully examining his weapon. 

"Middling, " said I. 

"Now the other hand. I suppose you've not got to know many chaps yet?Did you get any cricket in the vac. ?"

"No, " said I, extending my left in a deprecating way. 

"We did, " said he. "We were jolly near licking--"

"Ow!"

"Feel that much? Good cane, isn't it? Now the other two will be easy. "

To do him justice they were, or would have been had they not fallenuncomfortably near the site of the first. 

"Stick the cane back, " said he, --"and look here, " he added in the oldfriendly way which always captivated me, "if you'll take any adviceyou'll drop playing the fool. It may be funny, but it doesn't pay. Fellows get bored by it. "

"But I really--"

"I know you can't help it. Your best dodge is to lie low for a bit, andkeep out of everybody's way. "

"I never meant--"

"Of course you didn't. You can't help being an ass, but don't swaggeror brag about it. Go easy--and, by the way, whatever you do, forgetyou're an exhibitioner. It's not your fault, I know, but it's a sort ofthing to be lived down up here. Be nobody, that's the rule! then you'llworry through. "

"But _you_ were an exhibitioner, Tempest, " I suggested, "weren't you?"

"Yes, but I kept it dark. Do you know the chap who asked me to tea?"

"No. "

"He's Pridgin--in the Eleven--makes beastly bad jokes, but not a badchap. You'll like fagging for him. "

"What--am I to fag?" said I, undergoing another shock. I had made quitesure exhibitioners were exempt from that indignity. 

"There you go again. What did I tell you?" said Tempest, in tones ofmild menace; "you're putting it on again already. You'd better fish outthat cane again, there's a good chap. "

"Oh, please don't--I didn't mean, Tempest! All right, I'll fag forhim. "

Tempest regarded first me, then the cricket box where the cane lay, doubtfully. 

"I tell you he's not half a bad chap. Bother it, " added he, picking upthe cane, "I must do it, kid. Awfully sorry, but it would be low to letyou off because I know you. Look alive. One, middling warm, on eachhand, that's all. Thanks. "

He was quite unnecessarily grateful. His idea of middling warm, I couldnot help thinking, was not very different from hot. And yet I felt Icould stand it better from him than from most. 

"Some chaps, " said he, after returning me the cane to put back in itsplace, "would say that this sort of thing pained them more than it doesyou. It didn't me. I fancy you felt it more than I did. Anyhow, you'll remember what I said, won't you? Pridgin's not half a bad chap. "

"If you want any one to fag for you. Tempest--"

I began. 

"Oh, I've got one--a beauty--young Trimble; he sat next to you atregister to-day. You'll hit it off with him to a T. Talking of tea, bythe way, it's time we showed up at Pridgin's. Come along, and I'llintroduce you. "

The reader may not believe it, but my interview with Tempest helped toknock the nonsense out of me more than any treatment I had yetundergone. It was not so much the caning (which, by the way, Iafterwards discovered to be a wholly unauthorised proceeding on my oldcomrade's part), but his plain advice, and the friendly way in which itwas all given. It made me realise that he really meant to stick by meand pull me through my troubles, and the sense of his interest in memade up wonderfully for the loneliness which had been growing on me eversince I entered Low Heath that morning. 

Pridgin, as became a member of the Eleven, received me with dignityquite devoid of curiosity. He informed Tempest that he considered itwas playing it pretty low down on him to let an idiot like me loose onhim. Still, times were bad, and one must put up with what one couldget. 

Whereat I had the good sense to grin appreciatively, and was thereuponpermitted to boil my new master's eggs and stand by the kettle until itwas ready for the tea. 

CHAPTER NINE. 

ACQUAINTANCES, HIGH AND LOW. 

I was at first too much concerned in my important culinary occupationsto bestow much attention on the company. It was only when the eggs wereboiled and the teapot filled that I had leisure to make a fewobservations. 

The host, Pridgin, my new master, was not a very formidable sort ofperson at first blush. True he was in the Eleven and a fine all-roundathlete. True he was fairly well up in the Sixth, and one of the boysLow Heath was proud of. These things did not strike one in beholdinghim. What did strike one was his air of lazy humour, which seemed toregard life as a huge joke, if only one could summon up the energy toenjoy it. Pridgin did indeed enjoy his share of it, but one could nothelp feeling that, were he to choose, that share would be a great deallarger than it really was. 

It was plain to see he was fond of Tempest; a weakness which reconciledme to him from the first. Tempest, however, seemed, if anything, toprefer the third member of the party present, who was in every way acontrast to his genial host. 

Wales struck one as a far more imposing person than Pridgin, but notquite as attractive. He was dressed in what seemed to me the top of thefashion, and had the appearance of a youth who made a point of havingeverything of the best. He had the reputation, as I discoveredafterwards, of possessing the most expensive bats and racquets, thebest-bound books, the best-fitting clothes, of any one in Low Heath. Itwas also rumoured that he spent more than any boy in the town shops, andgave the most extravagant entertainments in his study. Fellows were alittle shy of him for this very reason. He forced the pace in thematter of money, and there were only a few fellows who could stand it. 

Tempest was not one of these, and yet he seemed very thick with Wales. It was certainly not for the sake of his money, for Tempest was one ofthose fellows who never care for a fellow for the same reason that anyone else would. He had begun by being amused with Wales's dandyism andextravagance, and had ended in encouraging him in them. 

"I expect, " said Wales, as the three heroes sat discussing their tea, "we're in for a pretty lively term, if it's true what I hear, thatRedwood is to be captain. "

"Why shouldn't he be?" asked Pridgin; "he's a hot man in the fields, aswell as in classics. "

"My dear fellow, he's a town-boy. "

"What of that?"

"What of that? First of all, the town-boys are most of them snobs. Sons of hard-up people who come to live at Low Heath so as to get theminto the school cheap. Then they can't possibly keep up with what goeson in school when they are away every evening. "

"There's more in the second objection than the first, " said Tempest. "Idon't see why a fellow should be out of it because he's poor. If so, Ican cut my lucky here. But it does seem a swindle to stick a town-boyover all of us. "

"I don't see it, " said Pridgin. "He's one of us. The only differenceis, he goes home to sleep instead of tucking up in a cubicle here. No, what seems to me the cool thing is this talk of a town-boys' club, thatbrags it's going to lick the school clubs into fits. I hope it's nottrue, for if it is, we shall have to sit up, and I loathe sitting up. "

His guests laughed. It was notorious that Pridgin when he did bringhimself to "sit up" was a person worth reckoning with. 

"For the matter of that, " said Wales, "Redwood's not likely to troublehimself much. He'll take all the glory and do none of the work. Thecaptain of Low Heath ought to have his hand in everything, and not leteverything slide. "

"You'll find Redwood can be awkward enough when he chooses. You cannever tell how far he'll let things go on. But when his back once getsup he'll stiffen pretty hard. "

"All I can say is, " said Tempest, "if I'm to be cock of this house thisterm--and I've no right to be--"

"Yes, you have, old chap, " said Pridgin. 

"You know you purposely ran for second place last term, so as to get outof the fag of cocking the house, " retorted his friend. "Anyhow, if I_am_ to be cock, I mean to stand up for our rights, and see we're notdone out of them by town-boys, of all people. "

"Hear, hear, " said Pridgin; "stick up for your rights. I don't exactlyknow what rights we're got more than any other Low Heathens, but stickup for them certainly. Nothing like having a grievance, if you can onlyfind one. "

"What do you say to Jarman for one?" said Wales. 

The faces of all three clouded at the mention of this name. 

"Ah, I'd forgotten about that. Is it true he's to be a sort of generaldiscipline master, and have the right of pulling up any fellow, senioror junior, without even saying a word to his house prefects?"

"He won't do it here, if I can help, " said Tempest, with a frown. 

"Well, have some more tea, " said Pridgin, "before you begin operations. Here, kid, make a fresh brew, sharp, and then cut. "

What I had heard had been quite enough to satisfy me that things werenot running altogether smoothly at Low Heath, and that Tempest was notbeginning his new duties as head of his house in the best of tempers. Iconfess I felt a little uneasy. For I knew my old chief's impulsive, generous nature well enough to be sure that he might easily get himselfinto trouble for the sake of other people. His friends were evidentlyglad enough to let him fight their battles, but were not likely, atleast so it seemed to me, to take much trouble to help him through withthem. 

I was wandering rather disconsolately down the passage when it occurredto me I did not know what I was expected to do or where I was expectedto go. 

I therefore ventured to accost a senior who was lounging about at thehead of the stairs. 

"If you please, " said I, "I'm a new boy--can you tell me where to go?"

The senior, a bland, good-looking sort of youth, surveyed me carefullyand replied--

"To bed, I should say. "

"All right, thanks, " said I; "which way is that?"

He laughed pleasantly. 

"What's your name?"

"Thomas Jones. "

"You needn't mind about the Thomas up here. Where have you come from?"

"Do you mean, where do I live, or where have I been just now?" Iinquired, anxious to avoid any misunderstanding. 

"Look here, " said he, "hadn't you better take a seat, if you want totell me all your family history? I'm sure it's very interesting, butit's rather late in the day to begin now. Where have you come from, notoriginally, but just now?"

I flushed up very much at this polite rebuke. Whatever made every oneso anxious to assume that I was an ass?

"Pridgin's, " said I. "I'm his fag, and he's having a tea party. "

"Oh, " said the youth; "who's there?"

"Only Tempest and Wales, " I replied, feeling more at my ease. 

"No one else?"

"No, " I answered. Then, guessing he might have the same antipathies asTempest, I volunteered--

"Crofter's not asked. "

My companion opened his eyes. "Indeed--why?"

"I don't know. Only I know Tempest wouldn't have gone if he had been. Please which way do I go?"

"What objection has Tempest to Crofter?"

"I don't know--I suppose he's a beast. Tempest hates beasts. "

The boy laughed. 

"He must be very fond of you, " said he. 

"Yes, " said I, "we're old chums; we were at Dangerfield together, andboth got ex--"

There I was, after Tempest's warning about keeping my exhibition dark. 

"Both got what? _Expelled_?" inquired the senior, with interest. 

"Well--yes, " said I, thinking that the best way of getting out of it. "It was this way--"

"Really, Jones, it's getting late, " said the senior; "I've no doubt it'san interesting story. There, go and inquire in the fourth room on theleft. They'll show you the way to bed. "

And he departed. 

I was very sorry he had not given me time to explain the little matterat Dangerfield. It would be a pity for any one to get a wrongimpression about it. Still, what a lucky escape I had had from blabbingabout my exhibition! The fellow, too, seemed a nice sort of chap, anddisposed to be friendly, so there was no harm done after all. 

I could tell, long before I reached it, that the room which had beenindicated to me as the place where I might get the information for whichI thirsted was, to say the least, inhabited--for the noise whichpenetrated through the keyhole and the cracks of the door was appalling. Either, thought I, a free fight is going on within, or there is a steamengine at work, or the builders are shooting bricks through the window. I was mistaken. It was only five boys of about my age talking. 

The silence which greeted my appearance was rather more formidable thanthe noise which had preceded it. In the midst of it, however, Iobserved the form of Master Trimble, also that of my travellingcompanion of the morning, and concluded therefore that I had come to theright place for information. 

"Full up! cut!" was the cordial greeting of the company generally. 

"Hullo, it's Sarah!" cried my travelling companion. "What a lark!Collar him, you chaps. That's the idiot I was telling about. He camedown in the train with his ma--"

"She wasn't, " said I; "she was no relation. "

A loud laugh greeted this disclaimer. 

"Well, his nurse, or aunt, or washerwoman, or something. "

"No, she wasn't. "

"Shut up, and don't tell crams. "

"It's _you_ who are telling crams, " said I, for the blood of the Joneseswas getting up. 

"Look here; do you mean to call me a crammer?" demanded the speaker, looking very imposing. 

"If you say it again I will, " said I. "I tell you that woman had nomore to do with me than you; there!"

It was a critical situation, and the key to it was in my accuser'shands. If he insisted that the lady in question had anything to do withme, I was committed to call him a crammer. And if I called him acrammer, he was equally committed by all tradition to punch my head. And in the humour I was then in, he was not likely to do that withoutgetting one back for himself. 

"I know who it was, " suddenly cried Trimble; "of course! Tempest toldme last term there was a young ass coming up who'd been at a girls'school, and had got an exhibition or something. Of course this was hisold school dame. Good old Sarah!"

At this terrific exposure the spirit leaked out of me. My tell-taleblushes confirmed what was true in the story, and my silence lentcountenance to what was untrue. The delight of my tormentors was beyondwords. They danced the "mulberry bush" round me, overwhelmed me withendearing expressions, offered me fans and smelling salts and cushionsand hairpins, simulated hysterics and spasms, trod on my skirts, andconversed to me in shrill treble till I was sick of the business. Onlyone course was open to me. It was an unpleasant one, but on itdepended, I felt, my future welfare at Low Heath. 

I seized the nearest, who happened to be Master Trimble, and pulling himgently but firmly by the nose, demanded if girls generally treated himthat way? He kicked vigorously, and ordered me to release theimprisoned member. I declined to do so until I had kicked back, andfinally deposited him on the floor, amidst the laughter of hisperfidious comrades, who told him it served him right, and that "Sarah"was evidently one too many for him. 

This little protest stood me in good stead. It put an end to all directaspersions on my sex, although it was a long while before I was destinedto hear the last of delicate insinuations on the topic. And it advancedme very considerably in favour with the four whose noses I had not beenfortunate enough to engage. 

"Look here; stop fooling, you chaps, " said one of them, when in due timeMaster Trimble was permitted to regain his feet. "This new kid hadbetter make up our sixth man here. No other faggery would be likely totake him, so we may as well. "

I concluded from this remark that the juniors of Mr Sharpe's house werepermitted to herd together in half dozens; and on the whole I wasdisposed rather to bear the ills I had than fly to others I knew not of. 

"I don't mind, " said I, "if you let me be. "

"Who wants to touch you with a pair of tongs? You may as well pull inwith us, and help us kick the others. It'll be a change after thegirls' school. "

"I _wasn't_ at a girls' school, " said I, "I told you. All I did was tocoach with one of the teachers. "

"About the same thing, I fancy, " said Trimble, blowing his outraged nosesomewhat defiantly, "Sarah!"

"If you call me Sarah again, " said I hotly, "I'll pull your nose again. "

"All right: Miss Jones, then. "

"No, not Miss; just Jones. "

"All serene, just Jones, then shut up; stick on your lavender gloves, and keep your hair on. "

There was a general laugh at this which vastly solaced the aggrievedTrimble, and encouraged him to refer jocularly to my late hat and boots, topics which I had not the spirit to resent. 

As soon as these personal matters were disposed of, I was tacitlyadmitted as a member of the honourable faggery, and invited to expressmy opinion on a matter which had been engaging the attention of thefraternity before I arrived. 

"We were thinking, " said my late travelling companion, whom his friendsaddressed as Langrish, "that it would be a score to get up aPhilosophical Society in the school. What do you say?"

"What to do?" I ventured to ask. 

"Oh, discussions, and picnics, and larks. What do you suppose we_should_ do? There's a senior club of the kind already. They go in fordry rot--science and history, and that sort of thing. Awful slow, andnobody knows what he's talking about. I flatter myself _we_ should. "

"We ought to draw up some rules, oughtn't we?" said Trimble. 

"Rather--forge ahead. "

Whereupon we crowded solemnly round the small table and put our headstogether. 

One of the party, by the way, answering to the name of Purkis, appearedto be the leading spirit, and made the most valuable suggestions. 

"Rule 1, " dictated he, "That this club be called the Low HeathenConversation Club. "

"Hold on, " said Trimble; "you've got club coming twice in the samesentence. Bad grammar. "

"Besides, I thought there was to be something about philosophy, "suggested Langrish. 

"And keeping out the day cads, " said Warminster, another of the party. 

"Of course, if you make the rule long enough, " said Purkis, with loftycontempt, "you can get something in it about the man in the moon. "

"But, " said I, thinking to make a little joke, just to show I had noill-feeling, "we don't want him in the club, do we?"

"No, " said Langrish, who had evidently been on the look-out for hischance; "no more do we want pretty Sarah's washerwoman; do we, youchaps?"

I subsided gracefully. The time was not yet ripe, evidently, for me toassert myself. 

"I tell you what, " said Warminster; "what's the use of every one makingeach rule? Let old Purkis make the first, and I'll make the second, andLangrish the third, and so on. It will be ever so much quicker, andgive each chap a fair innings. "

It seemed a good idea, and as it allowed Purkis's rule to standunchallenged, he acquiesced. 

So in due time the following wonderful code of rules was drawn up andadopted--

1. That this club be called the Low Heath Conversation Club. (Purkis. )

2. That the object of the club be and are periodical picnics andmeetings for the discussion of philosophy, etcetera. (Warminster. )

There was some debate as to whether the ninth word should be "is" or"are. " But "are, " as agreeing with the plural, was carried by a largemajority. 

3. That each member bring his own grub, _alias_ provisions. (Trimble. )

4. That no day boy be eligible on to the club. (Langrish. )

5. That any member breaking the rules is hereby expelled. (Coxhead. )

6. That the subscription be two shillings a term, payable in advance. (Jones. )

Warminster was anxious for consistency's sake to add the words "and are"after "be, " but was overruled. 

After which we honourably drew lots for the various posts of emolumentand honour in connection with the club. 

To my surprise I was drawn for president. At first I was disposed todisclaim the honour on account of my youth and inexperience. But myfellow-Philosophers assured me that was no excuse, and that my namewould undoubtedly "draw. " I did not exactly see how, but they wereprobably better judges than I; and perhaps as an exhib--

No, I was bound to keep that dark. At any rate, it would be a nicething to be able to write home to my mother, that on the day of myarrival I had been appointed president of the Philosophical ConversationClub, with a right to add the initials P. L. H. C. C. After my name. Itsounded well, and would give me a better footing in Low Heath than mytan boots. 

Langrish was drawn for treasurer, and Purkis for secretary; while, toobviate any cause for jealousy, Trimble was selected as auditor, Warminster as librarian, and Coxhead as registrar. 

A levy of subscriptions was made forthwith by the treasurer, and thesecretary was ordered to expend part of the amount in a handbill settingforth the object and _personnel_ of the society, for distributionthrough the school. The auditor undertook to check the printer's bill, the librarian to keep a copy of the document among the archives of theclub, and the registrar to prepare a book for entering the names of thenew members. Altogether it was a most businesslike proceeding, and onewhich reflected, as it seemed to me, great credit on the young life ofLow Heath. 

After this, a peremptory summons from the bell dismissed usprecipitately to bed. I had the indignity of being conducted to mycubicle by Mrs Smiley, who had the bad taste to adjure me in thehearing of my comrades to behave myself like a good boy and go to sleepdirectly the lights were out. This was not altogether easy, for mycubicle happened to be between those of Trimble and Langrish, and thepartitions were not particularly high. I was, indeed, allowed toundress and say my prayers without interference, which was more than Ihad hoped for. But no sooner was I in bed, and lights out, than I wasfavoured with all sorts of missiles pitched over the partitions oneither side with extraordinary accuracy. A book from Langrish hit me onthe ear, and a wet sponge from Trimble moistened my cheek. And when Isought shelter under the sheets, the butt-end of a fishing-rod in theribs drew me from my hiding-place, and a clever cast with a hooked pinby Langrish relieved me of my outer covering altogether. The footstepsof the monitor on duty deprived me of the privilege of making an audibleprotest. All I could do was to send Trimble's sponge quietly over toLangrish, and Langrish's book across to Trimble, and, as well as I wasable, recover my abstracted sheet with the aid of the rod. It took along time, and laid me open to dire penalties for disturbing the publicpeace. But it had to be done, and fortunately for me a row at the otherend of the room called the monitor away in the nick of time. 

When he returned, all was still, and I was dreaming that Mr Evans wasselling a pair of second-hand six-buttoned lavender gloves to my motherin the hall of Mr Sharpe's house. 

CHAPTER TEN. 

SPECIAL SERVICE. 

My introduction to Low Heath at large next day turned out to be a farless formidable affair than I had anticipated. I had long since givenup the notion that the whole school would rise at my appearance andsalute me. I had even ceased to expect that they would all stare andmake remarks. But I was hardly prepared for the absolute indifferencewith which I was permitted to answer to my name at "Great register. "Not a soul took any notice of me, even when Dr England explained to mepublicly that as there were already three other Joneses in the School, Iwould please answer in future to the title of Jones iv. , which I humblypromised to do. Brown, I was not sorry to hear, was to be designated asBrown iii. For similar reasons. 

The ceremony being over, the new boys were trooped up to the headmaster's library, and there told off to their respective forms with afew words of warning and encouragement. It surprised me that, in spiteof my scholastic honours, I was entered in the same form as Brown. Buton the whole I was more pleased than disappointed, for I loved my oldcomrade dearly, and after all, if he _was_ placed above his merits, itwasn't his fault. 

"It's a pity you aren't a day boy, " said he, as he walked acrossafterwards; "we could have larks together. "

"It's a pity you aren't in the school, " said I. 

"Oh, our chaps say it's rather stale to be in the school. I don't seewhy your fellows should be looked down on, but they are. "

"Pooh! you should hear our chaps talk about the day boys. Do you know, Dicky, I'm president of a club, a Philosophical Club; and day boysaren't eligible. I'm awfully sorry; I should have liked to have youin. "

"That's just what I thought about the Urbans. They don't let in anyfellow who's in the school--only day boys--they're obliged to draw theline somewhere, you know. Do you know Redwood, the captain, is a seniorUrban?"

"I know. Our chaps say it's a soak for the school having a day boy forcaptain. "

"Oh! _We_ don't think so! I say, do you see that chap there?"

The youth at whom he pointed was the friendly senior of whom I hadinquired the way to bed last night. 

"Rather; he's a Sharper. Why, and what about him?"

"He's a hot man, they say, and the most popular chap at Low Heath. He'scaptain of the Rifles. "

"What's his name? Do you know?"

"Crofts, or Crofter, or something like that. What's up?"

He might well ask!

"Crofter!" exclaimed I. "My word, Dicky, I've been and done it!"

"Done what?"

"Why, I called him a beast yesterday. "

"You did? You're getting on, Jones iv. "

"No, without humbug, I did. I didn't know it was Crofter, and I toldhim Tempest thought he was a beast. "

"If Tempest says so, he probably is, " remarked the unemotional Dicky. 

"But what's to become of me? How was I to know?"

"I don't know. Perhaps you'd better go and tell him you were mistaken. "

"I don't like to. I say, what a downer he'll have on me! I half wish Iwas a day boy, after all. "

"It's a pity you aren't. We've a jolly lot in the Urban Minors; quite aliterary lot. "

"Bother the Urban Minors!" said I, looking dismally after the retreatingform of Crofter. 

"It'll take you all your time to bother some of them. There's Flitwick, he's--"

"Hang Flitwick! Whatever am I to do, Dicky?"

"I wouldn't advise you to hang Flitwick. Oh, about that fellow Crofter!Oh, it'll be all right. He's plenty else to think about. "

It was poor comfort, but the best I could get, and our arrival at ourclass room cut short further discussion on this most unfortunateincident. 

But it weighed on my mind all day. When class was over, I was summonedby my fellow "Philosophers" to come out into the playing fields; I wentin fear and trembling, lest I should encounter Crofter. But he wasnowhere to be seen. 

My companions were evidently hand and glove with most of the juniors inthe school, and I was favoured with a bewildering number ofintroductions, not always of the most gratifying kind. 

"What have you got there, Trim? A tame monkey?" asked one gorgeousyouth, whose cap bore the badge of Mr Selkirk's house. 

"Not exactly, " said Trimble; "haven't had time to tame him yet. "

"What's his name?"

"Sarah. Allow me. Muskett--Sarah Jones; Jones--Silly Muskett. Now youknow one another. "

"He's only fooling about my name, " said I; "it's Thomas. "

"Oh, is it? Delighted to see you, Sarah Thomas. "

And before I could put him right he was off, and I was led away by myrejoicing comrades. 

"Look here, Trimble, " said I, "it's time you knew my name by now. "

Trimble laughed, as did the others. They all thought it was high time. 

But everybody we met I was introduced to as Sarah. 

"Awfully sorry, " said Langrish, after the fourth or fifth offence. "I've such a bad memory for names. --Well kicked, sir. "

This exclamation was addressed, not to me, but to a senior who had justappeared on the scene, and was kicking about the practice football witha friend prior to a match which was evidently due. 

It was a splendid kick, and the author of it was a splendid fellow--brawny of limb and light of foot, with fair hair and clear blue eyes--asone might picture one of the Norsemen of the story-books. You could seeby the way he moved, and the spirit he put even into this practicekicking, that he was a sportsman every inch of him; and his good-naturedlaugh, as he exchanged greetings with this and that arriving friend, proclaimed him, even before you heard him speak, as good a gentleman ashe was an athlete. 

"Redwood's in form to-day, " said some one. "We'd better stop and seethe play. "

"Is that Redwood, the captain?" inquired I, in an awestruck way, ofWarminster. 

"Rather, " was the reply, in a tone of pride which convinced me that LowHeath was proud of its chief, even though he had the misfortune to be aday boy. 

Just then Redwood turned and waved his hand to somebody near us. 

"Look out; he wants you, " said Langrish. 

"Me?" said I, flabbergasted. 

"Don't you see him beckoning? Look alive, or you'll catch it. "

I could hardly believe it; and yet everybody near looked round at me inapparent wonder at my delay. 

Perhaps Redwood had heard something about me from Tempest and wantedto--

"Go on, " said Trimble, giving me a shove. "If he wants to stick you inthe Fifteen, tell him it's not good enough. "

"Look sharp, " called the others, encouragingly, as I started to obey thesummons. 

By this time Redwood was strolling our way. Mahomet, thought I, iscoming to the mountain. So, to save him trouble, I trotted up to meethim. 

At first he didn't notice me. Then when I said, "Did you want me?" hestared me over from head to foot as a Newfoundland dog would inspect apug. It was on the whole a benevolent stare, not unmingled with humour;especially when the cheers of my late comrades called his attention tomy ingenuous blushes. 

"I didn't, " said he; "but you'll do, if you don't mind. Cut home to myhouse. Number 3, Bridge Street, and ask them to send my leather belt. Look alive, there's a good chap. "

This speech, the first really polite speech I had heard since I enteredLow Heath, took me by storm, and captivated me at once to the service ofthe captain of the school. I galloped off, as proud as a non-commissioned officer who has been sent to fetch his regimental flag onto the field of battle. The chaps behind might cheer and jeer and cry, "Gee-up, Sarah!" and "Mad dog!" as much as they liked. They would havebeen only too proud to be sent on my errand. 

It was a good ten minutes' run to Bridge Street, and I was fairly out ofbreath when I rang at the bell of Number 3. It seemed a long timebefore any one came, and I was beginning to be afraid I should forfeitthe reputation I hoped to acquire, when hurried footsteps announced thatmy ring had been heard. 

Mrs Redwood was out, said the servant, and she had been down the gardenwith the children. 

When I delivered my message, she asked me to wait; and with her littlecharges evidently on her mind, ran upstairs to fetch the belt. 

It was a nice house, although a small one. The garden door was open, and gave a beautiful peep over the little sloping lawn to the river andthe woods beyond. I was not sure that, after all, a town-boy might nothave a good time of it, living in a place like this, instead of inschool. 

Suddenly my reflections were disturbed by a shrill scream from thegarden, followed by a little girl of five or six crying--

"Annie, Annie! Mamie's tumbled in; Mamie's tumbled in!"

For a wonder I had my wits about me, and divined the truth at once. With a bound I was down the steps and across the lawn, half knockingdown the panic-stricken little messenger on the way, and at the river'sedge, floundering piteously in about two feet of water, found theunfortunate little Mamie--evidently a twin-sister--more frightened thanhurt, but perilously near to getting into deep water. 

Her yells redoubled when she found herself grabbed by the sash by astranger, and lugged most unceremoniously on to _terra firma_. 

Scarcely had I achieved this gallant rescue, without even wetting my ownshoes, when Annie, as white as a sheet, came flying on to the scene. 

"It's all right, " said I; "she's not hurt. "

Whereupon Annie most inconsiderately leaned up against a post, clappedher hands to her heart, and went or threatened to go off into hysterics. And there was I, a poor unprotected male, left to face the squalling oftwo infant female children and a full-grown female nurserymaid!

"Look here, " said I, appealingly, "Mamie's soaking wet. You'd bettertake her and dry her, before she gets her death of cold. "

This appeal had the desired effect. It stopped the nurse's spasms andlet loose her tongue. 

"Oh dear, oh my! And I told her not to go through the gate. Oh, younaughty girl you; and you. Miss Gwen, for letting her do it. Come indirectly, you little hussies!"

It struck me as grossly unfair of Annie; but I did not venture in herpresent state of mind to protest, for fear she should call me hussy too. I followed indoors, somewhat guiltily, at the tail of the procession, feeling myself in a very unpleasant situation, in which I would not onany account be caught by Redwood's mother or by Redwood himself. To mydelight, on the floor of the hall, where Annie had dropped it, lay thebelt, at which I sprang greedily, and not waiting to say thank you, orput in a word for the doomed infants, which would have been quiteinaudible in the volume of Annie's philippics, I saved myself (as theFrenchman says), and ran at racing speed with my prize back to theschool field. 

To my mortification I found the match had just begun, and it would beimpossible to deliver my missive till half-time. What would the captainthink of me? Would he suspect me of having dawdled to buy sweets, orlook over the bridge, or gossip with a chum? I would not for anythingit had happened, and felt not at all amiably disposed to Miss Mamie, asthe inconsiderate cause of my delay. 

However, there was nothing for it but to wait. I resolved not to putmyself into the clutches of the Philosophers till my mission wasdischarged, for fear of accident; so I seated myself on one of thepavilion steps and watched the play. 

It was evidently a hot match for a scratch one. As far as I could makeout, the remnants of last season's Fifteen, amounting to eleven veteransonly, were playing the next Fifteen, who, having the best of the wind, were giving a dangerously good account of themselves. They were acuteenough to make all the use they could of the favouring element bykeeping open order and kicking whenever they had the chance, whereas ofcourse the other side played a tight game, and ran with the ball. Evenfor a novice like myself, it was interesting to watch a contest of thiskind. The Fifteen evidently hoped to rush the thing and carry theirgoal before half-time deprived them of the wind, whereas the Eleven weremainly concerned to keep on the defensive and risk nothing by over-haste. 

Among the veterans I could distinguish the big form of Redwood, alwaysclose to the ball, and near him with a shudder I recognised Crofterworking hard, while hovering on the wing of the scrimmage was the genialPridgin, looking as if he would fain be in bed, but, when the time foraction came, making it very uncomfortable for the enemy. On the otherside I was not long in finding out Tempest, with the glow of enthusiasmon his cheek as now and again he broke through the ruck and sent theball into quarters. Wales, too, was there, spick and span as usual, playing neatly and effectively, and withal elegantly. 

As time wore on it was evident the veterans were being penned closer andcloser by their antagonists. Presently a dangerous scrimmage was formedjust in front of their goal. For some minutes the ball was invisible, then by an apparently preconcerted movement the forwards of the Fifteenloosened and let it dart back into the open behind them, where lurkedTempest ready to receive it. He did not wait to pick it up, but ran tomeet it with a flying kick. For a moment it seemed doubtful whether itwould clear the onward rush of Redwood and his forwards. But it did, and rose steadily and beautifully over their heads, and with the windstraight upon it, reached the goal and skimmed over the bar, amid theloud shouts of every one, conspicuous among which was my shrill voice. 

Half-time! Now was my chance; and before the shouting had ceased, orthe discomfited Eleven had quite realised their misfortune, I dartedinto the sacred enclosure, and presented the captain with his belt. 

"I'm awfully sorry I wasn't in time, " said I. "You'd just begun when Igot back. "

"Thanks, youngster, it's all right, " said Redwood, wonderfully cheerful, as it seemed to me; "here, take care of this for me, " and he divestedhimself of the belt he was wearing and donned the new one. 

"You'll have the wind with you now, " I ventured to observe. 

"Yes, " said he with a nod, "I think we shall do the trick this time, eh?"

"Rather, " said I; and departed elated, not so much to have been sparedthe rebuke I expected, but to be talked to by such a hero, as if I wasnot a junior at all, but a comrade. 

My chums when I rejoined them were anxious to prevent my being too muchpuffed up by my exploit. 

"Good old Sarah Toady, " cried Trimble, as I approached. "Is he coming?"

"Who? Where?" I inquired. 

"I thought you were asking Redwood to tea or something. "

"No, I wasn't--I only--"

"There's Jarman, " cried Langrish. "Run and cadge up to him. Perhapshe'll pat you on the back too. "

Despite these taunts I could not fail to notice the depressing effect ofthe new arrival on the onlookers generally. Mr Jarman, the gymnasiummaster, was a ruddy, restless-looking man of about thirty-five, withcold grey eyes, and the air of a man who knew he was unpopular, but wasresolved to do his duty nevertheless. If I had heard nothing about himbefore, I should have disliked him at first glance, and instinctivelytried to avoid his eye. And yet, as he stood there, talking to MrSelkirk, the melancholy master of the reputedly "fast" house at LowHeath, he did not look particularly offensive. 

"Look out now; they're starting again. "

There was no mistaking the veterans now. Their backs were up, and theorder had evidently gone out for no quarter to be given to the audaciousFifteen. 

Redwood's kick off all but carried the goal from the middle of thefield, and from that moment it never got out of the "thirties, " as theimaginary line between the two distance flags was called. To Crofterbelonged the honour of first wiping off scores with the enemy. Andafter him Redwood dropped a goal, first from one side line, then fromthe other. Pridgin, too, scored a smart run in; but, unluckily, thekick fouled the goal post and saved the Fifteen a further disaster then. But before time was called a fourth goal was placed to the credit ofthe veterans. The vanquished fought gamely to the end. Once or twiceTempest broke away, but for want of effective backing was repulsed. Andonce a smart piece of dribbling down the touch line by Wales gave theEleven's half-backs an anxious moment. But that was all. The matchended, as every one expected, in a slashing victory for the old hands, together with a general verdict that Tempest and Wales, at any rate, hadwon their laurels and were safe for two of the vacant caps. 

In the stampede which followed I missed my opportunity of restoringRedwood's property, as he vanished immediately after the game, and mycomrades would by no means allow me out of their sight. Indeed, it wasnot till after evening chapel that I contrived to elude their vigilanceand start on my second run to Bridge Street. 

But if I eluded them I was less fortunate with another sentinel. For atthe gates I encountered the forbidding presence of Mr Jarman. 

"What are you doing here?"

"Please, sir, this is Redwood's belt, and I promised to give it to him. "

"Go back. What is your name?"

"Jones, sir. "

"Whose house are you in?"

"Mr Sharpe's. "

"Do not let me find you out of bounds again, Jones. "

And he fixed me with his eye as if to impress me with the fact that hewould certainly know me again. 

"But, sir, Redwood--"

"Did you hear me, sir?"

I capitulated, cowed and indignant. I was beginning to understand whatthe fellows said about Mr Jarman. 

"It's all rot, " said the Philosophers, when I confided my grievance tothem; "it's not out of bounds before 6:30--and if it was, it's nobusiness of his. It's the house master's business, or the housecaptain's. If you get lagged by them, all right; but _he's_ got noright to lag fellows, the cad. "

In my present humour I was far from disputing the appellation. 

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

CHEAP ADVERTISING EXTRAORDINARY. 

I spent a bad quarter of an hour that evening before bed-time ininditing a letter of "explanation" to Crofter. I had come to theconclusion this would be easier and safer than a personal interview, andthat the sooner it was done the better. How to do it was anotherproblem. To write a letter in the raggery was out of the question. Itried it, but failed miserably. For either my paper was twitched awayfrom under my pen, or some one looked over my shoulder and pretended toread expressions of endearment which were not there, or some one gotunder the table and heaved it about tempestuously to the detriment of myhandwriting, or some one drew skeleton figures of spider-legged bipedson the margin of the paper. Worse still, it was evident every word Iwrote would be common property, which I did not desire. I had thereforeto abandon the attempt till later on; when, finding myself in Pridgin'sstudy, I ventured to inquire if I might write there. 

Pridgin was good enough to express admiration of my cheek, but said if Ispread one newspaper over his carpet and another over his table-cloth tocatch the blots, and didn't ask him how to spell any word of less thanfour letters, or borrow a stamp, I might. 

All which I faithfully undertook to do, and sat down to my delicatetask. It took me a long time, considering the result, and I was by nomeans satisfied with the performance when it was done. 

"Dear Crofter, " I wrote; but that seemed too familiar, whereas "DearSir" from one schoolfellow to another was too formal. So I attempted myexplanation in the "oblique oration":--

"Jones iv. Is sorry he accidentally told Crofter he was a beastyesterday. He did not know it was him when he saw him, or he would nothave told him what Tempest said about him, which was quiteunintentional. He also must explain that what he said about his beingexpelled was in consequence of a dog's death, about which there was amisunderstanding. He hopes Crofter will not tell him he told him, as hewould be very angry with him. "

"Done?" said Pridgin, who, comfortably ensconced in his easy-chair withhis feet upon the window-ledge, was reading a comic paper. 

"Yes, thanks, " said I, half terrified lest he should demand to read mynot too lucid epistle. 

"All right. Go and tell Crofter I want him, will you? Look alive, andthen cut to bed. "

Here was a blow! I had been at all this labour in order to avoid thepainful necessity of an interview with Crofter, and here I was as badlyoff as ever. 

"Can't you hear?" said Pridgin as I hesitated. 

"If you please, Pridgin, " said I, resolved to take the bull by thehorns, "I'm awfully sorry, but I don't want Crofter to catch me. Thefact is--"

Pridgin's good-humoured reply was to shy a book at me, which I wasfortunate enough to miss, but which Tempest, who entered the study atthe moment, caught fairly on his forehead. 

"Hullo! Are you and the kid playing catch?" said he. "Sorry to disturbyou, really; but my fag's skulking somewhere, and I want to borrow yoursto take a message to Crofter. "

"Was it a plot, or what? I had far better have written in the faggeryafter all. "

"That was exactly the subject about which the kid and I were playingcatch just now, " said Pridgin. "I asked him to go to Crofter too. "

"What, has he been sending you a _billet-doux_?" said Tempest. 

"Well, yes. He seems to be sore I didn't ask him to tea yesterday, andsays he's afraid some one has been libelling him, though how he knew Ihad any one here last night I can't imagine. "

"That's funny, " said Tempest; "he writes to me to say he is sorry Ishould take the trouble to call him a beast in public. He understands afellow's right to his private opinion, he says, and would be sorry notto be allowed his about me, but he thinks it imprudent to shout it outfor every one to hear. Just his style. "

"I was going to send him word to ask him to come in and make himself acup of tea out of my pot, just to show there was no ill-feeling, " saidPridgin. 

"And I was going to say that I hope he won't trouble to think better ofme in private then I think of him in public. Though for the life of meI can't imagine what he refers to. "

"The fact is. Tempest, " said Pridgin, putting his feet up on thewindow-ledge again, "it's just as well to be above board with Crofter. He's a slippery customer, and if he knows what we think of him, and weknow what he thinks of us, we shall get on much better. "

"If he'd only give a chap a chance of a row with him, " said Tempest;"but he won't. The more down on him you are, the more affectionate heis, and the sweeter he smiles. Ugh!"

"But who on earth has been blabbing to him?" said Pridgin; "not Wales?"

"Wales?" said Tempest; "rather not. He's not that sort. "

"I don't think he is, " said Pridgin; "and yet, old man--the fact is--I--"

"You don't fancy Wales, I know. "

"Hardly that. I don't mind him; but he's more of a pull over you thanhe has over me. I can't be bothered with his fashions. It's too muchgrind. But you aren't lazy like me, and--well--you know he runs youinto a lot of expense. That picnic last term, for instance. We couldhave had quite a jolly day for half the cost. Chicken and ham's allvery well, but cold boiled eggs are just as good for keeping a chapgoing. "

"But Wales can't stand things not being--"

"Dear!" said Pridgin. "Don't flare up, old chap. You've got your workcut out for you this term, and can't afford to spend all your timepaying bills, even if you had the tin. "

"All very well for you who've let me in for cocking the house, " saidTempest, with a laugh. "Anyhow, you've a right to talk to me like afather. All the same, I fancy you've a little downer on old Wales. He's a good sort of chap, and there's nothing of the eel about him. "

"Which brings us back to Crofter, " said Pridgin. "Some one has told himthat he's not popular in this study, and he doesn't like it. I wonderwho our candid friend is. "

"It was me, " said I, coming out at last with my pent-up confession. "I'm awfully sorry, Tempest. It was this--"

"Take a seat, " said Tempest, putting me off in the identical way thatCrofter had done yesterday. But I was not to be put off; I took a seatand continued--

"I met him and didn't know who he was, and I mentioned that I'd comefrom here, and that a tea was going on, and that Crofter was out of it, and the reason was because Tempest thought him a beast. And--I'mawfully sorry, Tempest--I let out to him that we'd been expelled fromDangerfield, and I'd not the least idea it was him. "

"He, " suggested Pridgin. 

"He; and I've just been writing to him to explain. "

"Rather a tough job, eh?" said Tempest. 

"You may see the letter, " said I. 

The two seniors read it with a gravity which scarcely seemed genuine. 

"I think it may pass, " said Tempest, coming out at last with a laugh. "There are only about twelve 'he's' and 'him's' in it, and as it will beabsolutely unintelligible it can't possibly do harm. "

"If Crofter has the least sense of literary taste, he will frame it, "said Pridgin. "I trust no dogs' deaths will occur here. "

My confusion was tempered by the relief I felt that they took myindiscretion in such good part, and saw only--what I failed to seemyself--the humorous side of the incident. 

I begged hard to be allowed to tear up my letter, but this they would byno means allow. On the contrary, I was compelled to address it andstamp it then and there, and place it in the post-box in the hall. Then, with compliments and good wishes, I was dismissed to bed, and leftthe two friends talking school politics. 

I felt a good deal more humbled by the manner in which they had receivedmy confession than if they had, as I had expected, roundly abused me. To be let down easy, as if I was barely responsible for my actions, wasnot conducive to my vanity; and if that was the object they had in view, it was amply attained. I went to bed on my second night at Low Heathwith as little vanity in me as I could decently do with; and even that, as I lay awake for an hour or two, oozed away, and did not return tillin a happy moment I fell asleep, and once more, and for a fewunconscious hours, became a hero to myself. 

The next morning I tumbled out of bed at the call of the bell in no verylight-hearted way. First of all, Crofter would receive my letter;secondly, I had still got Redwood's belt; thirdly, I had not done mypreparation; and fourthly, I felt concerned about Tempest and hisalliance with the expensive Wales. Strangely enough, this last troubleweighed on me most as I dressed. 

Tempest, I knew, was not well off. But he was proud, and not the sortof fellow to shirk a thing on account of the cost. I could remember atDangerfield his spending all his money at the beginning of the term onan absurdly expensive cricket bag, and having to go without spikes inhis shoes because he could not afford a set. At Low Heath, whereseniors were allowed to run up bills in certain shops, I was certain hisignorance about money matters, added to the friendly encouragements ofan exquisite like Wales, would make it all the worse for him. Why, even_I_ knew more about money than he did, and could reckon that if Ibrought thirteen shillings up at the beginning of the term, I shouldhave just a shilling a week to bless myself with till break-up. Whereashe, I verily believe, would consider that he had thirteen shillings aweek. And the worst of it was he would never let any one know how hardup he was, or tolerate any remarks, except from a privileged chum likePridgin, on the subject. 

As I joined my comrades in the faggery, in the fond hope of snatching aprecious quarter of an hour for my neglected studies, I found greatexcitement and jubilation afoot. The printer had sent home thehandbills of the Conversation Club. 

"That ought to do our business, " said Langrish, flourishing one of thedocuments in my face. 

I took it, and read it with mingled pride and concern. It ran asfollows:--

Under the distinguished Patronage of the Nobility and Gentry of LowHeath:

*A Philosophical Conversation Club* has been started for conversation onPhilosophy, Picnics, and Cross-country Runs. Meetings weekly; to beannounced. Subscription: Two shillings in advance; every member to findhimself. No town-boys or masters eligible. "Come in your hundreds!!!No questions asked. Evening dress or flannels. The Inaugural Picnicnext week. Particulars on receipt of subscription. No connection withany other so-called club in Low Heath! For further particulars apply tothe following:

 Sarah Jones, Esquire, Pr. Ph. C. C, President. Ted Langrish, Esquire, S. Ph. C. C, Secretary. Wilfred Trimble, Esquire, T. Ph. C. C, Treasurer. Jos. Warminster, Esquire, L. Ph. C. C, Librarian. Tom Coxhead, Esquire, A. Ph. C. C, Auditor. Michael Purkis, Esquire, R. Ph. C. C, Registrar. 

P. S. --As the membership is strictly limited to 500, early application isadvised. No eligible cash offer refused! Our motto is "_Mens sano incorpore sanae_. "

I naturally bridled up at the record of my own name. 

"Look here, " said I; "you've stuck it down wrong again. "

"Awfully sorry, " said Langrish; "the printer chaps made a little slipover the Christian name, but all the rest seems right. It's wonderfulhow sharp they are, isn't it?"

"But you're going to have it corrected, surely?" said I. 

"Why, it would cost a frightful lot!" protested the company. "We mightalter it in ink, but that would only call attention to it. Bless you, no one will notice it. They'll put it down to a printer's error. "

I was by no means satisfied, but their delight at the whole performancewas so unbounded that it was impossible to be as angry as I felt. 

"It'll draw, and no mistake, " said Trimble, who had evidently never seenhis name in print before. "Jolly well drawn up of you, Lang. "

"Oh, " said Langrish modestly, "when you know what you want to say, it'seasy enough to stick it down. "

"That's why you stuck down 'Sarah, ' I suppose, " said I, rather crossly. 

"I never knew such a kid as you, " retorted Langrish; "you seem to fancynobody can think of anything but you and your washerwoman. "

The conversation was drifting on to dangerous ground, and Warminsterpromptly changed the subject. 

"The thing now will be to put the papers about. I vote we each take abatch and give them round. "

"We might shove them under the fellows' doors, " said Coxhead. 

"The best way will be to do it in Big Hall, " said the more practicalPurkis. "One or two of us can easily get in ten minutes early, andstick one on every chap's place. "

"But suppose you stick one on a day boy's place?" I suggested. 

"What's the odds? the paper tells him he's out of it, " replied Purkis. 

It occurred to me that this would not cheer the day boy very much;still, on the whole, Purkis's suggestion seemed the best. 

"I tell you what, " said Langrish, "I beg to move and second that thePresident be authorised to stick round the papers. "

"I third and fourth that, " said Trimble. 

"Carried unanimously, " said Langrish. 

"Look here, one of you had better do it, " said I, feeling a littlealarmed at this imposing honour; "you know the way better. "

"That's where you've the pull, " said Purkis; "you're a new kid, theywon't interfere with you. Big Hall's at five, and you can easily slidein at a quarter to, and do the trick. Hullo, there's bell. "

School that morning went uncomfortably for me. I escaped being "lagged"for my neglect of preparation, chiefly owing to the friendly prompting Ireceived from Dicky Brown. But it was a time of anxiety andtrepidation, and my nerves were somewhat strained before it was over. 

The shock of the day, however, awaited me as I got outside on my way tothe fields. 

A small youth of my own size accosted me. 

"I say, are you the new chap?"

"What new chap?"

"The new chap that Redwood told to fetch his belt. "

"Yes, " said I, turning a little pale. 

"All right. You've got to go to him, sharp. "

"I tried to give it him back yesterday, really I did; but I wasstopped, " said I. "Do you think I'll get in a row?"

"I wouldn't be in your shoes, that's all I know, " remarked the messengerbrutally. "It'll be all the worse if you don't cut. "

"Where is he?"

"In the captain's room at the School House. "

I went off with my heart in my boots. And I had hoped so much to showup well to Redwood! It was all Jarman's fault, and I wrote down yetanother grudge against him in my mental book. 

The captain was alone, and evidently expecting me, as he rose and cameto meet me when I appeared. 

"Here you are, then, youngster, " said he, in a tone which, if it meant alicking, was a very deceptive one. 

"I'm very sorry, " said I; "I tried to bring the belt round yesterdayevening, but--"

"Hang the belt!" said the captain. "That's not what I want you for. Why didn't you tell me what happened at home yesterday afternoon?"

Then it was another row altogether I was in for! What, I wondered, hadI done! Surely he didn't suspect me of having pushed his young sisterinto the water?

"I didn't like, while the match was on. I didn't know Mamie had tumbledin, or I would have stopped her. "

"But you fished her out?" he asked. 

"I told Annie to take her and dry her, " said I, wondering where the blowwas going to fall. "You see, she went upstairs for the belt, and it waswhen she had gone it happened. I don't think it was her fault. "

To my amazement Redwood laughed and clapped me on the back. 

"You young donkey, don't you know you saved Mamie's life, and I want tosay 'Thank you, ' to you?"

This unexpected _denouement_ alarmed me almost as much as my previousmisgivings. 

"Oh no, really I didn't, " said I; "she was close to the edge. "

"Another inch or two and she would have been in six feet of water, " saidhe. Then, with a friendly laugh, he added--

"You may not have meant to save her life; but you did, and must take theconsequences. My mother wants you to come to tea to-morrow. Call herefor me after evening chapel, and we'll go together. Good-bye now, andthanks, youngster. "

I could hardly tell if I was on my head or my heels as I walked back. It had never occurred to me till now that I had done anything out of thecommon in fishing Miss Mamie out of her muddy bath. Indeed, I stillfelt I was getting credit I did not deserve, and blushed to myself. Asto the invitation for to-morrow, that seemed to me a burst of gloryquite past my present comprehension, and I resolved to treasure it as asecret in my own bosom until at least I had made sure it was not adream. 

Before then, however, I had less pleasant work on hand. My comrades didnot fail to remind me several times during the afternoon of my"promise, " as they called it, to distribute the Conversation Clubcirculars in Great Hall, and adjured me not to run it too fine. Theconsequence was that, at a quarter to five, I was convoyed, with thebundle of papers under my arm, to the door of the dining-hall, andgently shoved inside, with all retreat cut off until my task was done. 

Some of the servants who were laying the tables objected to my presence, but on my explaining I had been sent to do it, they allowed me withoutinterruption to lay a copy of the precious document on each of the fivehundred plates. I had barely concluded this arduous duty when the bellcommenced to ring, and the fellows in twos and threes began to drop in. It was all I could do to affect unconsciousness, as from a modestretreat near the door I marked the effect of the announcement on LowHeath generally. At first there was a note of surprise; then, as oneafter another read on, a titter, and finally a general laugh, which wasonly checked by the entrance of the masters and the call to grace. 

I had--being a stranger to the place--distributed my favours among themasters quite as liberally as among the boys, and presently, withhorror, perceived Dr England rise in his place with his copy in hishand. 

"Whew!" whistled Langrish, "there's a row on, I fancy. "

"Serve you right if there is, " said Trimble. "Why ever did you put themon _that_ table?"

"How was I to know?" groaned I. 

"What boy, " said the doctor, when silence prevailed, "what boy has beenputting this foolish paper round the hall?"

Oh dear! How I wished I was safe at home!

"Please, sir, I did, " said I, rising meekly in my place. 

"Your name?"

"Jones iv. , please, sir. "

"Then come at once, Jones iv. , and collect them again, every one, andwrite out two hundred lines. Let dinner proceed now. "

If the object of the promoters of the Philosophical Conversation Clubhad been cheap advertisement, they must have been amply gratified. Hercules never performed any labour equal to mine that afternoon. Themasters handed me up their copies gravely and reproachfully; but the LowHeathens generally made sport of my misery. Scarcely one in ten wouldpart with his rare broadside, and those who did made it manifest thatthey had the contents by heart. The unfortunate "misprint" of myChristian name, moreover, was the occasion for much ribald comment. 

When, finally, I reached the quarters of my own particular comrades, Ireceived more kicks than papers. They were unkind enough to say I hadmulled the whole thing, and to promise me untold penalties when they gotme in the privacy of the faggery. 

At last, when the pudding was almost vanishing, I sat down to my hard-earned meal. But it mattered little, for I could have eaten nothing. 

Be that as it may, the Philosophical Conversation Club was able to boastthat afternoon that it had attracted the attention and interest of everymember of the school, from the headmaster down to the junior fag. Andfew school clubs can boast as much as that!

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

A COMMITTEE OF WAYS AND MEANS. 

"Where are you going?" demanded the faggery next afternoon, as I triedto desert them after afternoon chapel. "To take up your lines toEngland?"

I should have preferred that they had not asked me the question, buthaving asked it I felt bound to answer. 

"No; I'm going to tea at a fellow's. "

"Who? The washerwoman's?"

"No; to Redwood's. "

I tried to pronounce the name with the unconcern of a man who is indaily communion with heroes, but I fear I betrayed my emotion. Atleast, their laughter made me think so. 

I was instantly greeted with all sorts of mock salutations andobeisances, and, whether I liked it or not, rushed off to the faggery tobe tidied up. It was in vain I struggled, and explained that Redwoodwas waiting for me. They would not be put off. 

"You must wash your face for the credit of the Ph. C. C, " said Langrish. 

"And put on a clean shirt for the credit of your wash--"

Here by a frantic effort I broke loose and made off, followed by thepack in full cry, with shouts of--

"Stop thief!"

"Welsher?"

"Clear the course!" "Hurry up for tea there!" and other exclamations ofa similar nature. 

It was not certainly a very dignified way of accepting a friend'sinvitation; still, it would have been worse had I remained in theirclutches. 

As it was, I only just made the schoolhouse door before Warminster andCoxhead were up to me, and presented myself to my host painfully out ofbreath and red in the face. 

"Been having a trot over?" said he, with a nod. 

"Yes, a little, " I gasped. 

"I'm ready; come along. "

My heart sunk within me, as, on reaching the door, I saw my fivecomrades, all apparently by accident, hovering round to see me go out. They did their best, and very successfully too, to stare me out ofcountenance, and encourage my blushes by allusions to "Sarah" and my tinsleeve-links, and the smudges on my face, and by cries of "shrimps" and"muffins, " and other awkward allusions. 

Redwood, as became the cock of the school, affected not to hear theirribald remarks, though he must have caught a word or two, andinquired, --

"Been playing football since you came?"

"No, not yet, " said I, painfully aware that Trimble and Langrish werewalking behind us critically; "that is, yes, a little. "

I was glad when we reached the big gates, and were able to shake off theenemy, who continued audible comments till I was out of earshot, andfinally went off on some new quest. 

At Number 3, Bridge Street, I found myself, much to my discomfort, quitea hero. Mrs Redwood, a gentle-looking lady, kissed me effusively, sodid little Miss Gwen, who having once begun could scarcely be prevailedupon to leave off. The servants smiled approvingly, as did a ladyvisitor, who shook me by the hand. The only person who did not appearto rejoice to see me was the heroine of the occasion, Miss Mamie, whodeclined altogether to kiss me, and added I was a naughty big boy tospoil her nice sash, and ought to be sent to bed. 

To her mother's protests and brother's encouragement she was quiteobdurate. No; she hated me, she said, for spoiling her nice sash, andwild horses would not draw from her a contrary declaration. 

After which we were summoned to tea, and I was consoled for this baseingratitude by plum jam and "sally-lunn" and sultana cake and otherdelicacies, which only a schoolboy, well on in the term, knows how fullyto appreciate. 

The talk was limited; first because I made it a rule not to talk with mymouth full, and secondly, because, had that difficulty been removed, Ihad nothing to say. Redwood, fine fellow that he was, did not try topump me, and the ladies, who kept up most of the talk, most convenientlyworded their observations in such a form as not to call for a reply. 

After tea, however, I did find myself talking to Mrs Redwood about mymother, and presently to Redwood about Dangerfield and my previousacquaintance with Tempest and Brown. 

"Brown iii. Is a town-boy, " said the captain. "I wish we'd had him in. Is he a member of your wonderful club, by the way?"

I blushed. Of course Redwood had seen that fatal document yesterday!

"Ah--well, you know, that is only for chaps in the school. "

"Rather rough on us town-boys, " said Redwood, with a laugh. 

"I'm sure they'd be delighted to have you, " said I. 

"Ah, well, our fellows have a club of their own, " said he, "althoughthey don't talk philosophy. By the way, is your Christian namecorrectly printed?" asked he. 

"Oh, no, " said I; "that was Languish's fault. He says it was aprinter's error, but I'm sure he did it on purpose. "

"It helps to call attention to the club, " said the captain, laughing. "Your lot seems to be fond of its little joke, to judge by the specimensthat came to see us off just now. "

"I'm awfully sorry, " said I; "they do fool about so--I say, I hope youaren't in a wax about it. "

He certainly did not look it. 

I went up with him to his den, and we had quite a long talk, and somehowwithout seeming to mean it, he managed to knock a great deal of nonsenseout of my head, and incite me to put my back into the work of the term. 

"I suppose, " said he, "you mean to back up Tempest now he's cock ofSharpe's? You kids can make it pretty hot in a house if you choose. "

"Oh, we're all backing up Tempest, " said I, "especially now he's got hiscolours. "

"All serene, " said the captain; "he'll pull through well, then. "

I stayed till it was time for Redwood to go over to the school for acommittee of the Sports Club. I did not leave Number 3 without astanding invitation to come in whenever I liked, or without painfulapologies for the contumacy of Mamie. 

Redwood and I had just reached the bridge when some one confronted uswhom I recognised at once as Mr Jarman. 

"Ah, Redwood, you've a meeting on. Who's this boy? Ah, I remember--Jones iv. What did I say to you yesterday, Jones?"

"Jones has been to tea at my house, " said the captain, with a flush, andlooking less amiable than I had yet seen him. 

"It's after hours, " said Mr Jarman, coolly. "I cautioned himyesterday. A hundred lines, Jones iv. , by to-morrow evening. "

"It's not his fault, " said Redwood; "I gave him leave, sir. "

"We need not discuss this, Redwood, " said Mr Jarman, and walked away. 

I felt quite sufficiently avenged when I saw the captain's face. Hestrode on some distance in silence, and then said, --

"I'm sorry, youngster. It can't be helped, though. Jarman's strictlyin the right, though it's sharp practice. You'd better cut in now. Good night. "

"Good night, " said I, making off. But he called me back. 

"You'd better do the doctor's lines to-night. Leave Jarman's till themorning. "

"All right. "

And I departed, not a little impressed with the incident. 

The captain had disappointed me a little. I should have liked to seehim knock Jarman down, or at least openly defy him; whereas he seemed toback him up, although much against his will. The net result to me wasthat I had three hundred lines to write on my third day at school, andthat, for a well-meaning youth, was tribulation enough. 

I took Redwood's advice and wrote the doctor's lines that evening, trusting to a chance next forenoon of satisfying the demands of MrJarman. To their credit be it said, some of the faggery helped me outwith my task, and as we all wrote in the same style of penmanship, namely, a back-handed slope spread out very wide to cover as much groundas possible, it was very difficult when all was done to believe that theperformance was a co-operative one. 

Before going to bed I told Tempest of my adventure, and had thesatisfaction of receiving his complete sympathy. 

"That's the worst of Redwood--he'll let it all slide. I wish I'd beenwith you when it happened. There'd have been a row. There will someday, too. "

All which was very consoling to me and helped me to sleep soundly. 

But the surprise of surprises happened next morning when I encounteredthe captain's fag at the door before breakfast with a letter in hishand. 

"Here you are, " said he, thrusting the document on me. "I don't see whyyou can't come and fetch your own things instead of me having to runafter you. "

"You can walk, " said I, "I suppose. "

I meant to be conciliatory, but he was highly offended and began tokick, and it took some little time to pacify him and induce him toreturn to the bosom of his house. 

When he had gone, I opened the envelope with some little curiosity. What was my astonishment when I found it enclosed one hundred lineswritten out in a bold clear hand, which it was easy to guess was that ofthe captain himself!

There was no letter or message; but the explanation was clear enough. Redwood having got me into my row, had, like a gentleman, paid thepenalty; and as I realised this I could have kicked myself for theunworthy thoughts I had indulged about him. 

I only wished Jarman, to whom in due time I handed the preciousdocument, could have known its history. 

He evidently gave me credit for being an excellent writer, and perhapsfor having an unusual acquaintance, for a boy of my age, with the worksof the Immortal Bard. For Redwood had grimly selected the followingpassage to write out over and over again for the police-master'sbenefit: "It is excellent to have a giant's strength; but it istyrannous to use it like a giant. "

I fear the satire was lost on its victim, and that he meekly concluded Ihad selected the passage because it happened to be in my lesson for theday, and was probably the first to come to hand. 

Tempest laughed when I told him. 

"It's all very well, " said he, "but it's encouraging the enemy. Redwood's a dear old chap, but he's too much of an anything-for-a-quiet-life fellow for captain. By the way, has Crofter replied to your politeletter?"

"No, " said I, "not a word, and I haven't seen him. "

"Well, take my advice, kid. If he wants to kick you, consider yourselflucky. If he's extra civil, cut him like mischief. Some day you maythank me for the tip. "

It seemed queer advice at the time, but I had occasion to call it tomind later on, as the reader will discover. 

By the end of my first week I was pretty well domesticated at Low Heath. My chief regret was that I saw so little of Dicky Brown; and when wedid meet the only thing we had in common was our lessons, which were notalways congenial topics of conversation. 

Dicky was fully imbued with the superiority of the town-boy over thehouse boy, and irritated me sometimes by his repeated regret that I wasnot eligible for the junior Urbans. 

"What do you do?" I inquired. 

"Oh, hosts of things. We go in for geology, and part songs, andantiquities, and all that sort of thing; and have excursions--at least, we're going to have one soon--to look for remains. "

"Ah! it's a pity you couldn't come to our picnic next week. It's to beno end of a spree. "

"Oh, we've heard all about that, " said Dicky, with a grin. "_Mens sanoin corpore sanae_--you should hear some of our chaps yell about that. "

"I'm sure it's not a bad motto, " ventured I. 

"I don't know about that. But it's not the motto, it's the grammar. "

I wasn't quite pleased with Dicky for this. It seemed as if he thoughthe knew more than other people, which I held to be a reprehensiblefailing in any one--particularly a day boy. I flattered myself that, asan exhibitioner, he had hardly the right to talk to me about grammar. But it was Dicky's way, and I knew he couldn't help it. 

For all that, I referred to the subject in the faggery that evening. Mycomrades were in high glee. Half a dozen subscriptions had come in, with requests to be allowed to join the picnic, and a considerablenumber of others had asked to be allowed at half price or on thedeferred payment system. 

"It's going like anything, Sarah, " said Langrish, thumping me violentlyon the back. 

"Where's the picnic to be?" I inquired. 

"Wouldn't you like to know?" said the secretary. 

I said I would, and, as president, considered I was entitled to theinformation. 

"We're not as green as we look; are we, you chaps?" said Trimble. "Why, you don't suppose we're going to let out and give you a chance ofblabbing to the day-boy cads, do you?"

"I'm not any more likely to blab than you are, " said I, warmly. 

"All serene. You keep your temper--you'll know time enough. "

"Suppose I resigned, " said I, feeling I must support my dignity. 

"Resign away. We've got your subscription. "

"I don't mean I shall, " said I; "but--"

"Shut up, and don't disturb the committee meeting. "

"If I'm president, I suppose I've a right to speak. "

"Not till you're asked. "

"All right, " said I, playing my trump card desperately. "When you doask me what's wrong with the grammar of your Latin motto, I sha'n't tellyou. Ha, ha!--_corpore sanae_. You should hear the fellows yell. "

The effect of this announcement was electrical, Langrish turned white, and Trimble turned red. The others bit their nails in silence. It wasa season of delicious triumph to me. I was master of the situation foronce, and resolved to remain so as long as possible. 

"Why, what's wrong with it?" said Warminster, presently. 

"Wouldn't you like to know?" said I. 

"_Corpore's_ feminine, isn't it?" asked Coxhead. 

"Common gender, I fancy, " said Purkis; "depends on who the chap is. "

"You mean if it was Sarah it would be feminine, and if it was one of usit would be masculine, " said Langrish. 

This was a nasty one for me, but I held my ground. 

"You'd better look it up in the dictionary, " said I. 

This was diplomatic; for although I knew the motto was wrong I could notquite say what it should have been. 

After much labour it was decided that _corpore_ was neuter, and that theadjective in consequence must be _sanum_. 

A resolution to that effect was proposed and seconded, but an amendmentto the effect that as the document had gone out in the name of thepresident and every one knew it was his work, it was no business of thepresent company to help him out of the mess, was carried by a largemajority. 

With which delightful solution of the difficulty--delightful to everyone but myself--we proceeded to the order of the day, which was toarrange the details of our picnic next half-holiday. 

My colleagues remained obdurate on the question of revealing the place. 

"If the day fellows get wind of it they'll be sure to try to do us, " wasthe unfailing reply. 

"Why shouldn't _I_ know as well as you?" demanded I. 

Whereupon it was explained that nobody knew where the place was to beyet--nor indeed was he likely to know till the morning of the day, whenlots would be drawn. 

Every member of the council would then be permitted to write the name ofa place on a piece of paper, which would be shuffled in a hat and drawnfor--the last paper drawn to be the place. I could not help admiringthe elaborateness of the precautions, which had only this drawback, asfar as I was concerned, that I did not yet know one place from another. 

I casually asked Dicky one day if he knew any of the places round. 

"What for, picnics and that sort of thing?" he demanded. 

"Well--that sort of thing, " said I, anxious not to betray my object tooprecisely. 

"I don't know. I heard some chaps talking about Camp Hill Bottom--wherethe battle was, you know. "

I did not know, but it sounded a likely place, and I made a mental noteof it for the eventful day. 

Meanwhile there was much to be decided. First, as to the applicants foradmission on reduced terms, it was agreed if these brought their fairshare of provender, and in consideration of their being taken on thecheap would undertake to row or tow the boats up stream, they mightcome. Then as to the bill of fare, it was resolved that no one shouldbe allowed to take more than he could carry in his pockets--great-coatpockets not to be used. 

Then as to the programme; this was drawn up with a view to combineentertainment and instruction in even quantities. For the entertainmentwas set down the President's "Inorgural"--the spelling was Langrish's--address, a part song of the committee, and a public open-air debate orconservation on "Beauty. " The credit of the last suggestion reallybelonged to Tempest, whom I unofficially consulted as to some goodsubjects for philosophical discussion. For the instructive part of theday's proceedings there was to be the dinner, a boat race, a tug of war, and, if funds permitted, a display of fireworks. 

What concerned me chiefly in the arrangements was that I, as president, was held responsible for everything of a difficult or hazardous nature. For instance, I was sent down to select the two boats, and drive abargain for their hire. Then again, when, owing to the prompt paymentof two or three of the "paupers" (as the applicants for reduced termswere politely styled) rather than submit to the terms imposed, it wasdiscovered that half-a-crown of the club funds remained unused, it was Iwho was sent into Low Heath to buy squibs and Roman candles; and it wasI who was appointed to take charge of the explosives in my hat-box undermy bed till the time arrived for letting them off. 

I began to be anxious about my numerous responsibilities (to which, bythe way, was added that of replying in the negative on the question ofBeauty), for every day something fresh was put on my shoulders, andevery day I found my school work falling into arrears. 

Tempest and Pridgin both mildly hinted to me that I didn't seem to beknocking myself up with work, and succeeded in making me uncomfortableon that score. What concerned me still more was to find that DickyBrown, although not an exhibitioner, kept steadily above me in class, and put me under frequent obligations by helping me out of difficulties. 

Never mind, thought I, it will soon be all right--when once theConversation Club picnic is over. 

The morning of the eventful day dawned at last; fair on the whole, butnot brilliant. The faggery was astir early, and before breakfast thesolemn ceremony of drawing lots for the scene of our revels took place. I faithfully set down Camp Hill Bottom on my paper and committed it tothe hat. 

Tempest, who chanced to look in with an order for his fag, was requestedas a favour to officiate as drawer, which he good-naturedly did. It wasanxious work while he pulled out the first five papers and tossed themunopened into the fireplace. Then he drew the sixth and opened it. 

"Camp Hill Botton, " he read. 

Every one seemed pleased, first, because every one had written it on hispaper, and secondly, because it was the only really good place for ariver picnic. 

"There's one comfort about it, " said Tempest, as we thanked him for hisservices, "we shall have a little quiet in this house for an hour ortwo. Take care of yourselves. Good-bye. "

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

THE PICNIC AT CAMP HILL BOTTOM. 

Jorrocks, the school boatman, was a careful person, and suited hisaccommodation to his company. He knew something about the expeditionsof "learned societies" to Camp Hill Bottom and elsewhere, and theconclusion he had evidently come to, was that the boats best suited fortheir purpose were craft broad in the beam and deep in draught, in whichit would be possible to argue out any subject without danger to life orlimb. 

By a coincidence which afforded more pleasure to my fellow-voyagers thanto me, one of the two boats reserved for the use of the ConversationClub was named the _Sarah_, the other rejoicing in the inappropriatename of _Firefly_. I was, of course, voted to a place of honour in theformer, along with Langrish, Trimble, and seven other Philosophers ofthe same kidney; while Coxhead, Warminster, and Purkis took officialcharge of the _Firefly_, with an equal number of passengers. 

It was noticeable, by the way, that at starting it was impossible forany two boys to sit close together, by reason of the stoutness of theirpockets, which stood out on either side like rope buoys on the side of apenny steamer. Indeed, some of the party seemed to me to be exceedingthe limits laid down by the committee; as, not only were they prominenton either side, but unusually stout in front, which led one to suspectthat they had converted their entire waistcoats into pockets for thetime being, and stowed the with provisions. But as the chiefdelinquents in this respect were the members of the executive committee, it was hardly for us to take official notice of it. 

A hitch occurred at starting, owing to the uneven distribution of the"paupers" in the two boats. The _Sarah_ boasted of six of these, whereas the _Firefly_ only possessed one, who, when called upon tofulfil his part of the bargain and row the whole company up streamsingle-handed, showed an inclination to "rat. " The crew of the_Firefly_ also began to be concerned as to the length of the voyageunder such conditions, and clamoured for at least two of our "paupers";a claim which Trimble and Langrish indignantly repudiated. At length, however, after a little judicious splashing and a threat to go off on apicnic of their own, the point was yielded, and two of our "paupers"were ignominiously ejected to make room for an equal number ofpassengers. 

This being done, the question arose as to whether we should row upstream or tow. It was decided to proceed by the latter method, at leastuntil the towing-path became impracticable. Whereupon both bands of"paupers" were turned ashore and harnessed to the end of theirrespective rope, and the rest of us settled down to enjoy our well-earned leisure, and stimulate the exertions of our tugs with friendlyexhortations. 

I regret to say that the philosophy of our galley-slaves failed tosustain them in their arduous efforts. They began well. The _Sarah_led the way, the _Firefly_ following close in our wake. As long as thefriendly emulation between the two teams endured, we made fair progress. But when it was discovered that the _Firefly_ had meanly hitched itselfon to the stern of the _Sarah_, and was permitting our four "paupers" topull the whole cavalcade, a difference of opinion arose. The _Firefly_tugs, having nothing to do, amused themselves by peppering theinoffensive crew of the _Sarah_ with pebbles from the bank; while theoutraged pullers of the _Sarah_, finding themselves tricked, struck workaltogether, and alter pulling our head round into a bed of tallbulrushes, cast off the yoke and went for their fellow-"paupers. " Toadd to the general confusion, a real barge, towed by a real horse, camedown to meet us, threatening with its rope to decapitate the whole ofour party, and, whether we liked it or not, to drag us back to LowHeath. 

In the midst of all this trouble, I, as president, was loudly andangrily appealed to to "look out" and "make them shut up, " and "port thehelm, you lout, " as if it was all my fault! I tried to explain that itwasn't, but nobody would trouble to listen to me. How we avoided theperil of the barge I really cannot tell. It lumbered past us in a verybad temper, deluging us as it did so with the splashing from itssuddenly slackened rope, and indulging in remarks on things in general, and schoolboys in particular, which were not pleasant to listen to, andquite impossible to repeat. 

However, as has been truly said, a common danger is often a commonblessing. And it turned out so in the present case. The mutinous"paupers" brought their arguments on the bank to a close; and it wasdecided for the rest of the way to attach the _Firefly_ officially tothe _Sarah_, and allow the seven tugs to pull the lot. They were quitesufficiently alive to their own interests to see each pulled his fairshare; and the progress we made, although not racing speed, was, compared at any rate with our bad quarter of an hour in the bulrushes, satisfactory. 

No further adventure happened till Langrish pointed to a wooded hill aquarter of a mile further up stream, and said--

"That's Camp Hill. Jump in, you chaps, and row. "

Whereupon the tugs, glad to be relieved, came on board, the two boatscast loose, and the oars were put out. 

"Botheration, " said Trimble; "there's a boat ahead of us. "

"Only some fisherman--he won't hurt, " said Langrish. 

But as we approached the spot we perceived, not one boat only, but two, drawn up under the trees, and both empty. What was worse, they were LowHeath boats, and bore the name of Jorrocks on their sterns. 

The committee looked glum as our party stepped ashore and proceeded tomake fast our boats to the trees. 

"Why can't Jorrocks send his excursionists somewhere else?" growledLangrish; "I shouldn't wonder if they've bagged the Bottom. "

The Camp Hill Bottom was a curious dell among the trees, almost in theshape of a basin, with heather and gorse all round the top, andbeautiful velvety grass in the hollow. For a picnic it was an idealplace: close to the water, sheltered from the wind, with plenty of roomto sit round, and an expanse of delightful heath and wood behind and oneither side. 

It was on this heath, the legend went, that one of the most furiousbattles in the Wars of the Roses was fought, and the Camp Hill markedthe place where Earl Warwick's standard waved during the engagement. The Bottom was popularly supposed to have been hollowed out by somemonks, as a burial place for the slain; but their benevolent intentionhad been thwarted by the swoop of a band of marauders, who preferredrobbing the slain to burying them, and left most of the monks dead intheir own grave. 

There is little sign now of this tragic story about the quiet grass-grown hollow, with its fringe of overhanging bushes and carpet of mossyvelvet. 

Just at present, however, as we made our way to the spot, we hadsomething more important on our minds than Earl Warwick and the unluckymonks. What if the Bottom was already bagged by a crowd of commonholidaymakers, and all our carefully planned picnic was to be spoiled bytheir unwelcome intrusion?

It was too true. As we advanced we could hear sounds of revelry andlaughter, interspersed with singing and cheers. Who could it be? Thevoices sounded suspiciously youthful. Suppose--just suppose that the--

Yes! It was too true! As we reached the edge and looked down on thecoveted dell the first sight which greeted our eyes was a party of LowHeathens, sporting the day boys' colours spread out luxuriously on oneof the sloping banks, solacing themselves with provender and songs andleap-frog!

I never saw twenty Philosophers look more blank than we did when slowlywe realised the horror of the situation. We were done! There could beno doubt that the enemy had got wind of our purpose and had deliberatelyforestalled us; and was now only waiting to enjoy our discomfiture, andmake merry over our disappointment. 

As to the possibility of their being as sick at the sight of us as wewere at the sight of them, it never even occurred to one of us. 

Our first impulse was to eject them by force. Our next was toexpostulate. Our third was to ignore them. 

"Come on, you chaps, " said Langrish, leading the way to the bank facingthat in the occupation of the enemy, "here's our place. Squat down andmake yourselves comfortable. "

The Philosophers followed the cue, and, apparently unaware of thepresence of any strangers, took possession of their slope, and tried tobe as jolly as possible. 

"I wonder where the day-boy cads go for their tucks, " said Trimble in anaudible voice, evidently intended for the opposition. "Some one wassaying they were trying to get up a kids' club; ha, ha! I'd like to seeit. "

"Such a joke, Quin, " said a voice over the way, evidently pitched tocarry across to us. "You know those kids in Sharpe's? they've started asociety. What do you think their motto is? Oh my, it's a screamer!"

"What is it?" asked the voice of Quin. 

"Keep it dark. I wouldn't like it to get out I told you. It's _Menssani in corpore sanorum_, or something like that. You should have seenRedwood yell over it. "

"Now, you fellows, let's have our grub, " said Langrish encouragingly. "Chaps must eat, you know. _Corpore sanum_ is our motto, you know. Ha, ha! What do you think I heard one of the day louts call it? _Corporesanorum_!"

"Ha! ha! ha!" shrieked we. 

"Ho! ho! ho!" shrieked the Urbans. 

In the midst of which hilarities we produced our provender (greatly tothe relief of our pockets), and fell to. The operation evidently didnot pass unheeded by the other side. 

"I say, Flitwick, " cried some one, "do you know what Philosophers eat?"

"No; what?"

"I never knew till just now. Inky bread and cold bacon-fat sandwiches, or else sherbet, if their tongues are long enough to reach to the bottomof the bottles. "

"Have some of this fizzing pork pie, Jones?" asked Coxheadostentatiously. 

"Thanks. You have some of my sardines, " replied I. 

"Rummy name for a chap, Sarah, isn't it?" said the voice of thecaptain's fag opposite. "There's a new chap in Sharpe's house thisterm, one of the biggest mules you ever saw--his name's Sarah. "

"What, " replied his friend--"is he an ugly little cad with a turn-upnose, and yellow kid gloves, that gets lines every day from the doctor, and can't kick a football as high as his own head? Rather! I knowhim. "

It was impossible to go on much longer at this rate. The atmosphere wasgetting warm all round, and the storm evidently might break at anymoment. 

Fortunately for them, the Urbans, of their own accord, averted theperil. 

"If you've done lunch, " said Quin, "we'd better get to business. Ourfellows go in for something besides tuck, don't they, Flitwick?"

"Rather, " said Flitwick; "we haven't got a Latin motto that won't parse, but we meet to improve our minds, not stuff our bodies. I vote Mr Quintakes the chair. "

"All serene, " said Quin, perching himself on a hamper. "I now call uponMr Brown iii. To read us his paper on 'Remains. '"

This was the first mention of my old comrade. During the interchange ofcourtesies during lunch he had kept steadily silent, anxious, no doubt, to spare my feelings. But now his chance was come. It was reserved tohim to show off the Urbans on their intellectual side. 

But before he could come to the front and clear his throat for action, Langrish had loudly called the Philosophers to order. 

"Now, you fellows, " said he, "we have our programme to get through, andwe are not going to give it up, even if our place of meeting wasswarming with day idiots. Mr President, you had better lead off. "

Thus called upon, I loudly summoned Mr Philosopher Trimble to open thedebate on the subject of "Beauty, " venturing to add, --

"Some fellows, I've been told, discuss subjects they know nothing about, such as 'Remains, ' and that sort of thing; but the Conversation Clubmakes a point of sticking to what they are familiar with, and that iswhy we speak to-day of Beauty. "

It would not be easy to give a verbatim report of the proceedings whichfollowed, for each party was evidently more attentive to what fell fromthe other side than to what fell from its own. And each speaker wasevidently less concerned to impress his friends than his enemies. 

But any one who had chanced to stand on the ridge above, half-waybetween the two parties, would have heard a medley somewhat of thefollowing kind, --

"Gentlemen, in addressing you on the subject of remains--"

"--I need hardly explain what we mean when we speak of beauty--"

"--Remains are things dug up out of the earth where they--"

"--make a great mistake in calling things people eat, beautiful. Infact--"

"very few of them are to be found unless you know where they are, but--"

"When we talk of a beautiful face we mean a face that is--"

"--plastered over with mud and grime, and hardly recognisable till it isscraped clean, or--"

"people differ very much about it--what one person thinks beautiful, another--"

"generally digs for with spades and shovels, and may spend days--"

"--trying to look less ugly than they really are--"

"--some people find this quite impossible and have to employ personsto--"

"make personal remarks about their neighbours--"

"gentlemen, --"

"I need not remind you that among the Urbans--"

"are to be found some of the most hideous types of ugliness imaginable--what we need is--"

"--a little common sense to enable us to tell the difference betweenshams--"

"--like ourselves and the baboons, which is not always easy. Inconclusion, gentlemen, I beg to point to our--"

"--dirty hands and faces, which no one who is really interested inhunting for remains of his native--"

"--ugliness ought to be ashamed of. "

And so on. 

We were too busy cheering our own orator and listening to the enemy's totake in the full humour of the medley at the time. The opening speecheswere evidently prepared beforehand (a good part of them possibly copiedbodily out of some book). But, as soon as the chairman on either sidedeclared the subject open for discussion, the interest thickened. 

Flitwick led off on "Remains, " whereas it fell to my lot to reply on"Beauty. " By a little sharp practice, I got the lead, which, as ithappened, turned out more to the enemy's profit than my own. 

"Gentlemen, " shouted I, for the breeze made it necessary to speak out, "I beg to disagree with all that the last speaker has said. "

"Gentlemen, " came the answering voice of Flitwick, "in consequence of adonkey braying somewhere near, I fear I shall find it difficult to makemyself heard. "

"When people have nothing to say, " continued I, "the less they try tosay the better. "

"I will not imitate the idiots who call themselves Philosophers, and yetdon't know what gender a simple Latin word like _corpore_ is. "

"It is sad to think how many afflicted ones there are, close to us, whocannot possibly be as big fools as they look, or look as big fools asthey are. "

"The one kind of remains you can't find are the remains of aPhilosopher's lunch. 'Greedy' is a mild word to use for their sickeninggluttony. "

"If you want to look for beauty, gentlemen, you should look anywhere butstraight in front of you. " (Cheers. )

"Gentlemen, as I hear some geese quacking, as well as the donkeybraying, I find it difficult to say what I want. " (Laughter. )

"I deny that there is any beauty in the laugh of a pack of hyenas. "

"If there was anybody here called Sarah, " continued Flitwick, wanderingfarther and farther from his point, "who has been brought up in a girls'school, and wears tan boots and lavender gloves in school (loud andderisive shouts), and is well-known as the dunce of his house (hear, hear), I should advise him never to look in the looking-glass if he isafraid of chimpanzees. "

This was too much for the pent-up feelings of the Philosophers--not thatthey particularly resented Flitwick's facetious allusions to myself--butin my capacity as President of the Club they felt called upon to supportme. 

"Shut up, cheap-jack!" cried Trimble defiantly. We had given ourselvesaway at last!

"Hullo, " cried Flitwick, "there's somebody here! I wonder if thoselittle cads of Sharpe's have found out our place?"

"_Your_ place!" thundered Warminster. "You knew it was ours. And wemean to kick you out. "

"Ho! ho! when are you going to begin?" shouted the twenty Urbans. 

"Now, " yelled the twenty Philosophers. 

A battle now seemed imminent, as fierce and disastrous as that foughtfour centuries before on the adjoining heath. The blood of both partieswas up, and I might even have found myself engaged in a hand-to-handcombat with my old chum Dicky, had not Tempest unexpectedly appeared onthe scene, like a bolt out of the blue. 

He was pushing along his bicycle, and had evidently been attracted tothe Bottom by the noise. 

"What's up?" he inquired, taking advantage of the temporary silence. 

"Those day-boy cads have come and bagged our places and spoiled ourfun, " said we. 

"No, it's your kids who have come and stopped ours, " protested theenemy. 

"And you're all going down into the middle to have a mill, " saidTempest. "Just as you like. But why don't you try a tug of war acrossinstead? You're pretty evenly matched, and I'll umpire!"

It was not a bad idea, and took beautifully. The only drawback was, that Tempest being a Sharper, was presumably prejudiced in favour of thePhilosophers. However, he had the reputation of being addicted to fairplay. 

"The side that's pulled down, " said he, "clears out, and goes somewhereelse; and the side that wins I'll photograph in a group. "

It was a tremendous prize to offer, and served to stimulate both teamsto the uttermost. We had a rope with us which easily stretched acrossthe dell, and admitted the twenty pairs of hands on either side to graspit. Tempest carefully saw that neither side started with the leastadvantage, and waited till we were all ready before giving the signal. 

A tug of war in which each side is ranged up the steep slope of a hollowis very different work from a tug on the level, as we soon found out. Indeed, as soon as the rope was stretched, those lowest down werehanging on to it by their finger tips, while those higher up wereobliged to sit down to get within anything like reach. Under thesecircumstances the contest was short and sharp, and ended in a draw. Foreach side lost its footing the moment the strain was applied, and almostbefore Tempest had given the signal, the whole forty of us weresprawling in a confused heap on the grassy floor of the Bottom. 

This abortive contest had the effect (which probably Tempest intended)of smoothing over, to some extent, the angry dispute which was on foot, and which was still further allayed by his undertaking to take a monsterjoint photograph of the two clubs, provided we stood or sat still forthe process. 

After that, he good-naturedly remained at our invitation, to officiateas judge in some impromptu sports, in which, once again, the rivalparties proved most evenly matched. Finally, as evening was drawing on, he consented just to witness a hurried display of our joint fireworks, after which, he told us, we must at once take to our boats and repairhome. 

It was an imposing display. Twelve Roman candles were set up at regulardistances round the hollow, with a fellow in charge of each. Tworockets were set in position, one on either side, and green and redlights alternately were planted on the banks above. At a given signalfrom Tempest, all were simultaneously lit, and in a perfect blaze ofglory, accompanied by a babel of cheers, we concluded our programme. 

At least, not quite. One unrehearsed incident was yet to come. For, asthe smoke cleared off and the noise ceased, and our eyes once more grewaccustomed to the twilight, we became aware of the presence of MrJarman, standing in our midst!

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

EXTRA DRILL. 

Mr Jarman must have felt flattered at the gloomy dead silence whichfell on Philosophers and Urbans alike as we looked round and saw him. It was of course impossible to believe he had found us by accident, still less that he had come with any friendly purpose. 

He advanced into the middle of the Bottom, watch in hand. 

"This is contrary to rules, " said he. "It is now a quarter-past six, and you are half an hour from Low Heath. In addition to which I havealready said that fireworks are only to be had with leave. Tempest, youshould have put an end to this. You will kindly send me in the name ofevery boy here. And each of you boys must attend an extra drill to-morrow and write out one hundred lines--except, " added he, catchingsight of me, "except Jones iv. , whom I have already had to punish, andwho must write two hundred lines. "

It was a study to watch Tempest's face during this speech. It was allhe could do to wait to the end. 

"It's not fair, " said he, with pale cheeks and angry brow. "It's ahalf-holiday, and boys always get half an hour's grace. "

"That is not the rule, " said the master. 

"It's the practice, sir. Half these boys are in my house, and I havegiven them leave to stay. I also allowed the fireworks. "

"Tempest, we will speak of this presently--"

"No, sir, " blurted out Tempest, "the fellows have done nothing wrong;and if they have, I'm responsible to Dr England about it. "

Mr Jarman was not the man to give himself away in a public discussion, and coolly walked off, observing--

"I shall expect the list of names to-night, Tempest. "

Tempest's reply was a short, defiant laugh, which made the master turn amoment, as if about to notice it. But he departed silently, and left usto recover as well as we could from the surprise of the whole scene. 

The general opinion was that the policeman had met his match at last inTempest; and the more enthusiastic of us tried to express our feelingsin words. But Tempest was by no means inclined to discuss thesituation. 

"Shut up, " he replied angrily, when I ventured to applaud his courage. "Cut back to school at once, and don't speak to me. "

This was a blow to some of the party, who had calculated on a generalrevolt, to be headed by the rock of Sharpe's house in person, andcelebrated by general orgies on the spot. 

"I sha'n't do my lines, shall you?" said Dicky, as we trotted down tothe boats. 

"Rather not. And I don't think our chaps will turn up for extra drill. "

"Just like old Tempest, " said Brown. "He enjoys a row of this kind. "

"He didn't look as if he did, " remarked I. "Perhaps that was becausesuch a lot of day chaps are mixed up in it. "

Brown looked a little glum at this. 

"He needn't bother about us unless he likes, " said he. "We can takecare of ourselves, I fancy. "

Luckily at this stage we reached the boats, and further discussion wasinterrupted. 

The voyage home was comparatively uneventful. It was of courseenlivened by a desultory race with the Urbans all the way, in which, Iregret to say, Mr Jorrocks's boats received a few scratches, owing tothe desire of each boat to take the water of its opponent before it wasclear ahead. The town-boys unrighteously claimed in the end to have wonby a quarter of a length, but as in passing our leader they had pulledaway one of our bow oars and further turned the nose of the _Sarah_ intothe bank, we stoutly resisted their claim, and a very lively argumentensued, in which Mr Jorrocks lost a good deal of varnish, and most ofthe combatants became rather wet. However, we were back in schoolwithin half an hour of embarking, which on the whole was not a badrecord. 

Curiosity to know what Tempest would do prevented us from so much asthinking of our "lines. " I took an early opportunity of presentingmyself in Pridgin's study, feeling sure I should be likely to hearsomething of the matter there. 

As it happened, Tempest and Wales were there too, in deep confabulation. 

"Look here, old chap, " Pridgin was saying, "don't spoil your term for aparcel of yelping young puppies like this kid here and his lot. They'renot worth it. "

"For all that, " said Wales, "it's a question of whether the cock of ahouse is to be allowed his rights or not. "

"It's more a question whether Jarman is to be allowed his rights, " saidTempest. "I quite agree that these young muffs are a nuisance, and it'sall the more aggravating to be dragged into a mess by them. But he'd noright to interfere. "

"Strictly speaking, I suppose he was right, " said Pridgin. "There is arule about juniors being in by 6:30; although every one knows half anhour's grace is given on half-holidays. And I suppose he's right aboutthe fireworks. "

"You think I ought to cave in?" asked Tempest. 

"I don't say that. But I'd let the matter alone. "

"We shall never stop Jarman at that rate, " said Wales. "I should sayfight it out. "

"All very well for you and me, " said Pridgin, "who are comfortably outof it. But it means a big job for old Tempest. He'll have to bear thebrunt of it. "

"I can't well drop it when he's told me to give him a list of theyoungsters present, " said Tempest. 

"You certainly are not called upon to give him a list of the day boys. "

"Well, as I only know one of them, it wouldn't be easy. If he'd onlylagged me, and given me extra drill and lines, it wouldn't have been sobad. But it was playing it low down to--"

Here came a knock at the door, and the school messenger entered with aletter. 

"No answer, " said he, handing it to Tempest. 

It was plain to see by the flush on Tempest's face as he read it that itcontained anything but pleasant news. 

"It's from Jarman, " said he, throwing it down on the table. 

Wales took it up and read it. 

"Mr Jarman informs Tempest that the list of names required inconnection with this afternoon's incident will not be required, as MrJarman already has it. Tempest will please attend the extra drill withthe other boys of his house to-morrow, as his conduct this afternoon wasneither respectful nor a good example to others. "

"Whew!" exclaimed Pridgin, rising, for a wonder, out of his chair;"that's a nasty one, if you like. He's taken you at your word, old man. Who's given the list of names? Did you, you young sweep?" he demandedof me. 

"Oh no, " said I, glad to be recognised under any term of endearment. "Iwouldn't think of doing such a thing. But I'll tell you what I think. "

"Really, Jones iv. , it's nice to know you do think; but, if you don'tmind, we would rather not hear. If you _know_ anything, let us hear it, but spare us your thoughts. "

Pridgin was rather crushing sometimes. 

"I meant we were marked off by the porter at the lodge as we came in, "said I. "Perhaps that's how he's got the names. "

"Evidently, " said Pridgin, "he's had you for once. Tempest. He guessedthere'd be a bother about the list, and he has taken the wind out ofyour sails. You'll attend extra drill, of course. "

"Certainly. "

"So that, " said Wales, "all you will score by the affair will be apublic disgrace before the juniors. "

Tempest's half dismal, half wrathful face was answer enough. 

"_We_ sha'n't consider it a disgrace, " said I. 

"Thank you very much, Jones iv. If that is so, we shall feel it wasworth living for to have your approbation. Now you had better go andwrite out your lines. "

"What?" said I. "I thought we were none of us going to do that. "

"I have warned you once against the perils of thinking. It's a badhabit for little boys. Off you go, or you won't get your _poena_ donein time. "

"What am I to tell the others?" I inquired. 

"You may tell them it's a fine evening. Cut--do you hear?"

It was a great come-down. The Philosophers thought so when I reportedthe case. Some were inclined to be angry with Tempest, others to pityhim; and every one was unanimous, I do not know why, in expressing aburning desire to kick me. 

The expectation of a general revolt, headed by Tempest in person, andreinforced by the Urbans, faded dismally away as the company saw itselfgoing down to "knock off" Mr Jarman's lines. 

"This comes, " said Langrish, rather illogically, I thought, "of gettingmixed up with the day-boy cads. I knew it would land us in a mess, andso it has. "

"Anyway, they're in the mess too, " said Trimble. 

"It's a little rough on Tempest having to show up for them as well asfor us, " said I. 

"Shut up, and let a fellow write his lines, can't you?" growled Coxhead. "When we want Sarah's advice we'll ask for it. "

The reader will gather from this that the Philosophers were in badtempers, and that their president was in imminent danger of losing his. 

At noon next day, when most of the school was turning out after morningclass into the fields, a melancholy band might have been seen droppingin, in irregular order, at the door of the school gymnasium. All exceptone were juniors. Some looked as if they were used to the thing, otherbetrayed the shy and self-conscious embarrassment of the firstdelinquents. None looked cheerful, not a few looked savage. Theexception in point of age was a well set-up, square-shouldered, proud-faced senior, who entered with an air of reckless disgust which was notcomfortable to look at, and might be dangerous if provoked. None of usspoke to Tempest, and he vouchsafed no sign of recognition of us. 

A squad of the school volunteers, chiefly composed of smart boys fromMr Selkirk's house, were concluding drill as we entered, and of coursetook stock of our dejected looks and of Tempest's unwonted appearance asthey filed out. 

"A row on, eh?" whispered one, as he passed us. 

"It doesn't look like fun, does it?" snarled Langrish. 

"Where does Tempest come in?" persisted the inquirer. 

"By the door; and the sooner you get out by it the better. "

"Ha, ha!--poor little naughty boys. An extra drill will do you good. Come on, you chaps. Let's leave them to enjoy themselves. They'll getused to it in time. Ho, ho!"

"Fall in!" called Mr Jarman. 

And painfully conscious not only that a few of the volunteers werehanging about to look on, but that the school porter was at the momentconducting a party of visitors through the building, we obeyedlistlessly and dismally. Tempest taking his place at the end of theline. 

"Are these some of the volunteers?" we heard one of the lady spectatorsask. 

"No, madam. This is an extra drill for breach of rules, " replied theofficial. 

"Number from the right, " cried Mr Jarman. 

We numbered. 

"Answer to your names, " said the discipline master, producing a paper. We could not help noticing that Tempest's name was mixed in along withours, and that no difference was made on account of his age or status. We were then formed into double rank, and fours, and open order, and putthrough a hideous series of extension exercises, irksome enough at anytime, but under present circumstances specially so. I heard Dicky Brownbeside me groan as he stood leaning over with his left knee bent, hisright leg stretched out behind, and his two arms doubled up at his side. 

"I wonder they don't all kick, " he whispered. 

"Not easy like this, " said I. 

"How Tempest must be enjoying it!" Dick murmured. 

"Poor beggar! it's a nasty dose for him. "

But if Mr Jarman counted on any protest or resistance from his seniorvictim, he was disappointed. Tempest went patiently and impassivelythrough the drill with the rest of us; but, as we could see, with ablazing eye fixed all the while on the master. But I could guess thestruggle that was going on in my friend's breast. Mr Jarman may haveflattered himself he was "taking it out of him", Dicky and I knewbetter. 

We all took our cue from Tempest that morning, and any inclination torebel or mutiny was suppressed. We contented ourselves with glaring atour tormentor, and denying him the excuse he probably desired ofprolonging the agony. My impression is that Mr Jarman was never sohappy as when he realised that he was absolute master of the situation. The Roman emperors were not in it with him. 

"Attention! Front!" said he at last, when the proceedings were becomingdull even to him. "Stand at ease! Attention! Stand at ease!Attention! Left turn! Dismiss! As you were! Dismiss!"

It was a prolonged insult, and we knew it. But Tempest stood it, andso, consequently, did we. But as we filed from the place we felt thatMr Jarman's turn would come some day. 

Tempest, contrary to general expectation, evinced no haste to leave thescene of his tribulation. There was yet a quarter of an hour to nextbell, and this he evidently decided to spend, as he had the right to do, where he was. Mr Jarman was evidently annoyed to find, not only thatthe senior was apparently unaffected by the humiliation through which hehad passed, but that now the drill was over he evinced an entireunconcern in the master's presence. 

Tempest was one of the best gymnasts in the school, and it was alwaysworth while to watch him on the trapeze and horizontal bar. So thePhilosophers and Urbans, by one consent, trooped back into the gymnasiumto look on, and (what must have been particularly annoying to themaster, because he had no authority to stop it) to cheer. How we didcheer, and what good it did us! Had Tempest been the meanest ofperformers, and done nothing but swing with his legs doubled up underhim from one ring to the next, we should have applauded. But to-day hisflights were terrific. No fellow was less given to show off, and heprobably objected to our applause as much as Mr Jarman. But he wasbound to relieve his feelings somehow, and the trapeze was just what hewanted. 

When finally the bell rang, and we were hoarse with cheering (which wasour way of relieving our feelings) he came to earth decidedly better forhis exercise. 

Mr Jarman evidently was impressed, and, to our surprise, even venturedon a compliment. 

"You did that well, Tempest. "

Tempest's reply was to walk away, putting on his coat as he went. 

It was plain to see by the angry twitch of Mr Jarman's mouth that theshaft of this public snub had gone home, and we who looked on andwitnessed it all had little need to tell ourselves that civil war hadalready been declared. 

It is hardly necessary to state that the extraordinary meeting of theConversation Club that evening was lively, and that there was no lack ofa topic. Besides our own contingent, a few of the outsiders, includingMuskett and Corderoy from Selkirk's house, and a few of the "paupers, "dropped in. As the faggery would only conveniently hold six persons, and as at least twenty were present, it was considered advisable toadjourn to the shoe-room, where, in the dim light of a small candle, several particularly revolutionary motions were discussed, the companysitting on the floor for the purpose. 

The meeting opened by my calling on Langrish to read the minutes, whichhe accordingly did. 

"The inaugural picnic of the Ph. C. C. Was held the other day. Present, all the usual lot and seven paupers. The president had chartered the_Sarah_ and _Firefly_, two of the vilest crocks at Jorrocks's. "

"He said they were the best they had got, " I explained. 

"Shut up, or you'll be kicked out, young Sarah. "

"I've a right to speak. "

"No, you haven't--unless you hold your tongue. "

"If I held my tongue, I couldn't possibly speak, " I explained. 

"Turn him out!" cried the paupers. Whereat I subsided. 

"The paupers, " continued the minutes, "had beastly little go in them, and ought to have had a meal of hay before starting (interruption), andwill be badly kicked if they don't shut up. The _Firefly_ had the bestof the race up. " (Here there were most indignant protests from the crewof the gallant _Sarah_; and the question was argued out with some energyon the floor of the shoe-room before Langrish could proceed. )

"Nature was dressed in her most pristine colours, and the incandescenthues of the autumn leaves brought cries of enjoyment out of the mouthsof the Ph. C. C, except the paupers, whose mouths were too full forutterance. "

This paragraph was not likely to pass unchallenged. Coxhead impeachedits grammar, Trimble its taste, and the paupers its accuracy, and a veryheated argument ensued, at the end of which it was agreed to let thedoor stand open a few minutes to get rid of the dust. 

"Arrived at Camp Hill, a flock of jibbering apes were discovered, headedby the president's arch-enemy. Brown iii. "

"No, he's not my enemy, " protested I. "I never said so. "

"The minutes say so. They're more likely to be right than you. "

"But I like Dicky Brown, " said I. 

"That sounds like poetry, " said Warminster, "ho, ho!

 "I like Dicky Brown, His cheek is so cool, And if I don't kick him You call me a fool. "

"I can do that whether you kick him or not, " said I, quite unmoved bythis brilliant impromptu. 

Here I was compelled to vacate the chair for a few moments, in order todiscuss the matter further with Warminster. On order being restored, the minutes proceeded--

"The Philosophers soon made it too hot for these mules, and they wereonly allowed to stay on the ground as it amused us to see their idioticsniggers. The paper on 'Beauty' was rot, and invoked well-deservedhisses. "

"Say that again, " ejaculated the outraged Trimble. 

"_That_! there you are, " said Langrish hurriedly. But Trimble had moreto say on the subject, and once again the meeting became warm and dusty. 

"Order, please; let's hear the rest, " said I, when both had been brusheddown by their friends. 

"As for Sarah's speech in reply, it was the drivellingest balderdash youever heard. It made the club blush. "

"That speaks well for it, " I suggested mildly. 

The meeting did not seem to know how exactly to take this, but concludedit was meant to be complimentary, and contented themselves with orderingme to "shut up" if I didn't want to be kicked out. 

"Tempest (loud cheers) turned up presently and backed us up (cheers). The baboons weren't in it in the sports. We pulled off the tug of waron our heads (cheers), and their speeches were even drivellinger thanTrim's and Sarah's. (Interruption. ) Just at the end a howling sneakand cad and outsider called Jarman came, and lagged us all, includingTempest. (Groans. ) Our president behaved like a mutton-headthroughout. Going home, the Philosophers led by several miles. Themeeting then adjourned for extra drill in the gym. To-day, and mean topay Jarman out. " (Cheers. )

The patriotic sentiment with which the minutes concluded did away withany little difference arising earner is the evening, and they werecarried unanimously. 

It was then moved, seconded, thirded, fourthed, and fifthed, "thatJarman be, and is hereby, hung, and ought to be kicked. "

It was further agreed, "that Tempest be elected an Honorary Philosopher, and be let off entrance fee. "

Also, "that the town cads are about the biggest outsiders going. "

Also, "that Trimble be requested to wash his face. "

This last was not carried without some opposition, Trimble's amendment, "that you be hung, " being lost only by a narrow minority. Finally itwas resolved unanimously--

"That the Philosophers' Conversation Club make it hot all round for anyone who doesn't want to kick Jarman or back up Tempest. "

With which highly satisfactory piece of business accomplished, weadjourned to our own studies, and finally to bed. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL. 

It was plain to be seen that Tempest, although he had borne hishumiliating penalty like a man, had been badly bruised by it. Not thathe broke out into any wild rebellion, or tried to make for himself aparty to avenge his wrongs; but he seemed to have either lost interestin his work as house captain, or to enjoy disturbing the sensibilitiesof his friends by a reckless indifference to its affairs. 

The story of his "extra drill" had become public property in Low Heath. Most of the fellows sympathised with him, but could not understand whyhe had not appealed to the head master. A few, a very few, suggestedthat he had come badly out of the business; but no one particularlycared to discuss the matter with him. 

To Pridgin and Wales he insisted that it was no use referring to DrEngland. The Head was bound to support his policeman. 

"Why not get Redwood to take it up?" suggested Pridgin. 

"Redwood! He wouldn't go a yard out of his way. What does it matter tohim--a day boy? No, old chap, we can take care of ourselves. There'llbe a return match one day!"

It concerned me to hear my old friend talk like this; still more tonotice how he began to lose grip in Sharpe's house. No news flies sofast in a school as that of a responsible head boy being slack or "outof collar. " And when once it is known and admitted, it takes a gooddeal to keep the house from going slack and "out of collar" too. 

In our particular department the relaxing of authority was speciallyapparent. It destroyed some of the interest in our philosophicalextravagances; for the dread of coming across the powers that be lends acertain flavour to the routine of a junior boy. It also tended tosubstitute horseplay and rowdyism for mere fun--greatly to the detrimentof our self-respect and enjoyment. 

On the whole, then, Sharpe's house had a heavier grudge against MrJarman than it suspected. 

The worst of the whole business was that Tempest himself seemed not tosee the effect of his attitude on the house at large. He did notrealise how much the juniors were impressed by what he said and how helooked, or how much his example counted with others of a less imitativeturn. He looked upon his grievance as his own affair, and failed togive himself credit for all the influence he really possessed. 

One curious result of the upset was that Crofter was now and then to befound in his fellow-seniors' rooms. He had blossomed out as an ardentanti-Jarmanite, and belonged to the party who not only vowed revenge, but was impatient at delay. Tempest's wrongs he seemed to feel askeenly as if they had been his own; and the insults put upon Sharpe'shouse he took to heart as warmly as any one. 

Tempest could hardly help tolerating this effusively-offered sympathy, although he made no profession of liking it, and continued to warn meagainst having more to do than I could help with Crofter. Pridgin waseven less cordial, but his laziness prevented his taking any activesteps to cut the connection. Wales, on the other hand, though Tempest'schum, took more kindly to the new-comer, and amused himself now andagain by defending him against his detractors. 

"The wonder to me is, " said Crofter, "Jarman has not caught it beforenow. We're not the only house he's insulted, although I don't thinkhe's tried it on with any of the others as he has with us. "

"Some day he'll find he's sailing a little too near the wind, " saidTempest, with a pleasant confusion of metaphors; "and then he'll getbowled out. "

"Upon my word, though, " said Wales, "I think we've a right to get thatextra drill of yours wiped out. It stands against you on the register, and it's a scandal to the house. "

"They seem to think it so, " observed Pridgin, as just then a loud chorusof war-whoops came up from the region of the faggery. "Somebody hadbetter stop that row!"

"Jarman had better come and do it, " said Tempest, laughing. "He's gotcharge of the morals of Sharpe's house now. "

When in due time I returned, somewhat depressed by what I had overheard, to the faggery, I discovered that the particular occasion of thetriumphal shout referred to had been a proposal by Langrish to celebratethe approaching Fifth of November by hanging, and, if possible, burningMr Jarman in effigy, for which purpose an overcoat of mine had alreadybeen impounded. I had the greatest difficulty in rescuing it from thehands of the marauders, who represented to me that it was my duty tosacrifice something for the public good. 

"Why don't you let them have _your_ coat, then?" I asked. 

"Because, " was the insinuating reply, "it wouldn't burn as well. "

"You won't have mine, " I insisted. "But I tell you what; I've got anold hat and pair of boots I--I don't often wear--you can have them. "

A shout of laughter greeted this ingenuous offer--but it saved my top-coat. And when in time my flat-topped pot-hat and tan boots wereproduced, there was general rejoicing. Each Philosopher present triedthem on in turn, and finally I was compelled to wear them, as well as mytop-coat, for the rest of the evening, and assist in a full-dressrehearsal of the proposed hanging of the discipline master, in which, greatly to my inconvenience, I was made to personate Mr Jarman. 

The following day I was enjoying a little hard-earned solitude, andamusing myself by leaning over the bridge and watching the boats below, when a voice at my side startled me. 

"Ah, my polite letter-writer, is that you? The very chap I want. "

It was Crofter. My instinct at first, especially on the sly referenceto my letter of apology, was to fly. On second thoughts it seemed to mewiser to remain. Crofter and Tempest were on better terms now. Itwould be best to be civil. 

"What is it?" I asked. 

"Can you steer a boat?"

"A little, " said I. 

"Does that mean you can run it into the bank every few yards?"

"Oh no, I've often steered Tempest and Pridgin. "

"Come along, then; I'm going to have a spin up to Middle-weir. "

If there was one thing I enjoyed it was steering a boat, and I was notlong in accepting the invitation. 

Crofter was not conferring a favour on me; only making a convenience ofme. So that I was not in any way making up to him. Our relations werethat of senior and fag only; and Tempest's and Pridgin's warnings tobeware when he was particularly friendly (even if it had not alreadybeen cancelled by the fact that they now frequently had Crofter in theirrooms) could hardly apply now. 

For all that, I did not feel quite comfortable, and was glad, on thewhole, that the embarkation did not take place under the eyes of mypatrons. 

For some time Crofter sculled on in silence, giving me directions nowand again to keep in the stream, or take the boat well out at thecorners--which I considered superfluous. Presently, however, when wewere clear of Low Heath he slacked off and began to talk. 

"I enjoyed that letter of yours, " said he; "did you write it allyourself?"

"Yes, " said I, feeling and looking very uncomfortable. 

"You and Tempest must be quite old chums. "

"Yes. "

"It's very rough on him, all this business. "

"Yes, isn't it?" said I, somewhat won over by this admission. 

"The worst of it is, it makes the house run down. I expected we weregoing to do big things this term. "

"It's not Tempest's fault if we don't, " said I. 

"Of course not. It's Jarman's. Every one knows that. It's rather apity Tempest takes it so meekly, though. Fellows will think he's eitherafraid or doesn't care; and neither would be true. "

"I should think not. "

There was a pause, during which Crofter sculled on. Then he said, --

"Tempest and I don't hit it, somehow. He doesn't like me, does he?"

"Well--no, I don't fancy he does, " I admitted. 

"I dare say he advises you to fight shy of me, and that sort of thing, eh?"

This was awkward; but I could not well get out of it. 

"Yes. "

Crofter laughed sweetly. 

"I wish he'd let me be friends. I hate to see a fellow coming to grief, and not be allowed to give him a leg-up. "

"Tempest's not coming to grief, " said I. 

"Well, not perhaps that, only it's a pity he's adding to his othertroubles by getting head-over-ears in debt. I hear he's been going itpretty well in the shops. You should give him a friendly tip. "

This was a revelation to me. I had gathered some time ago, from whatPridgin had said, that there was some fear of it; but I had hoped I hadmade a mistake. 

"Who told you?" said I. 

"A good many people are talking about it; including some of the shopmen. It's just one of those things that a fellow himself never dreamsanybody knows about till it's public property. That's why I wish I wereon good enough terms to give him the tip. "

"If he's owing anybody he'll pay, " said I, feeling a great sinking in myheart. 

"Look out for that stake in the water there; pull your left! Narrowshave that. Of course he means to pay. What I'm afraid of is, Jarmanor England or any of them getting to hear of it. Ever since Sweetenlast year got turned out of the headship of his house, and afterwardsexpelled, it's seemed to me to be a risky thing for a fellow to run intodebt. These shopmen are such sneaks. If they can't get their moneyfrom the fellow, they send their bills in to the house master, andsometimes to the head master; and then it's a precious awkward thing. How are you getting on in your form?"

I had not much spirit to tell him, and if I had there was no time, forjust then the swish of a pair of sculls came round the corner behind us, and presently a boat at almost racing speed appeared in sight. 

"Pull your right!" said Crofter. "Hallo! it's one of our fellows. Looks like Tempest himself. "

I wished myself at the bottom of the river then! What would he think ofme if he saw me, and if he knew what I had been listening to?

In my perturbation I over-pulled my line and sent our boat into thebank. Tempest, who evidently was relieving himself with a spin of hardexercise after his fashion, and imagined he had the river to himself, was bearing down straight upon us. 

"Hallo, there; keep her out!" shouted Crofter. 

Tempest looked round in a startled way, and held water hard to avoid acollision. Then, as he suddenly took in who we were, his facelengthened, and he came to a halt alongside. 

"You there, Jones iv. ?"

"Yes, would you like me to come and steer you?" said I. 

Considering the difficulty into which I had just landed my present boat, it was difficult to natter myself any one would exactly compete for myservices. But Tempest answered shortly, --

"Come along. "

"Hullo, I say, " said Crofter suavely, but with a flush on his cheeks, "he's steering me, Tempest. "

"He's doing no good. He's stuck you in the bank already. Come along, Jones. "

"I haven't done with him yet, " said Crofter, flushing still more deeplyas his voice became sweeter. "I want him to stay with me. "

"And I don't want him to stay with you, " blurted out Tempest, losing histemper. "I've told him so already. He can do as he likes, though. "

And he began to dip his sculls again in the water. 

"No, " said I, "I want to come in your boat, Tempest. "

"Come along, then;" and he backed his stern up towards me. 

Crofter made no further protest; but greeted my desertion with amellifluous laugh, which made me more uncomfortable than a storm ofobjurgations. 

Tempest said nothing, but dug his blades viciously in the water, andspun away with grim face and clenched teeth. 

For a quarter of a mile he sculled on before he lay on his oars andexclaimed, --

"You young fool!"

"Why, " pleaded I, "I didn't think you'd mind. He's been friendly enoughto you lately. "

"Bah! What do I care what he is to me? I told you to fight shy of thefellow, and there you go and give yourself away to him. "

I did not quite like this. Tempest spoke to me as if I had not a soulof my own, and had no right to do anything without his leave. 

"He was speaking quite kindly about you, " persisted I. 

Tempest checked the contemptuous exclamation which came to his lips, andsaid, more earnestly than I had heard him yet, --

"Look here, Jones; that fellow's a cad; and he'll make a cad of you, ifyou let him. Don't believe a word he says to you, unless he calls you afool. "

"I hope what he's been saying to-day will turn out to be Lies, " said Ioracularly. 

To my disappointment Tempest evinced no curiosity as to my meaning, andrelapsed into gloomy silence for the rest of the voyage. 

For the first time in my life I felt out of humour with my old Dux. Hehad no right to treat me like a baby, or dictate to me whom I was toknow and whom I was not to know in Low Heath. No doubt he thought hewas doing me a good turn, and honestly thought ill of Crofter. But itdid not follow he was not doing him an injustice, and demanding that Ishould join in it. 

At any rate, I felt heartily miserable, and wished I had never put footoutside the faggery that day. 

About a mile from home Tempest got out on the towing-path, and said hewould trot to the school while I paddled the boat home. It was somerelief to be left alone; a relief, however, which was considerablytempered by the fear of meeting Crofter, and having to explain mattersto him. That difficulty fortunately did not occur, and I got back tothe bosom of the Philosophers without further adventure. 

In their sweet society I gradually recovered my spirits. Theirenthusiasm for Tempest was still unabated, and their avowed contempt forhis enemies all the world over was refreshing. A night's reflectionfurther repaired my loyalty. After all, thought I, Tempest meant wellby me, and was willing to make an enemy for my sake. He might be wrong, of course; but suppose he _was_ right--

The result of all these inward musings was that I offered Trimble to doTempest's fagging in his place next morning. 

He seemed half to expect me, and the old friendly look was back in hisface as he saw me enter. 

"I'm sorry I offended you yesterday, Tempest, " said I. 

"I fancied it was I offended you, " said he; "but I couldn't stand seeingyou in that cad's clutches. "

"Is he really a cad, then?" I asked. 

"You don't suppose I asked you into my boat for fun, do you?" said heshortly. 

I went on for some time with my work, and then said, --

"Would you like to know what he was saying about you?"

"Not a bit, " said he, so decisively that I relapsed again into silence. 

"Look here, kid, " said he, presently, and with unwonted seriousness. "I'm not a saint, and don't profess to be. And I may not be able tomanage my own affairs, to judge by what you and half a dozen other ofthe fellows seem to think; but I don't want to see you--well, come togrief--and that's what you're likely to do if you let that fellow gethold of you. "

"He's not got hold of me, " said I, feeling a little hurt once more. "Mayn't I be civil to a fellow, even? Why, he was saying if you--"

"Shut up! didn't I tell you I don't want to hear?" said he. 

"Oh, all right. "

If he had only vouchsafed to tell me why he disliked Crofter, or if hehad given his counsel in a less authoritative way, it would have beendifferent. He would not even let me repeat the friendly remarks Crofterhad made about him; and was determined neither to say a good word forthe fellow himself, nor let me say one. 

The consequence was that our interview ended in my wishing once more Ihad confined myself to my own quarters and let ill alone. 

My companions were not long in discovering that something was on mymind, and in their gentle way tried to cheer me up. 

"What's the row--ear-ache?" demanded Trimble. 

"He's blue because he's not had lines to-day, " suggested Langrish. 

"Perhaps his washerwoman has sent in her bill, " said Coxhead. 

"You'll get kicked out of here, if you look so jolly blue, " saidWarminster. "It's stale enough this term, without having a chap with aface like a boiled fish gaping at you. "

"Look here, " said I, resolved to be candid as far as I dare. "I'm in ajolly mess--"

"Never knew you out of it. What's up?" said Langrish. 

"Really though, no larks, " said I. "Tempest's down on me because I wentout with Crofter, and Crofter's down on me because I cut him forTempest. That's enough to give a chap blues, isn't it?"

"There seems to be a run on Sarah, " said Trimble. "Anybody got ahalfpenny?"

"What for?" I inquired, as the requisite coin was planked down on thetable. 

"Heads Tempest, tails Crofter, " said Langrish. 

It was heads, and I was solemnly ordered to adhere to Crofter. 

"We'll square it with Tempest, " said they. "He'll probably keep hisshutters up for a day or two, but he'll soon get over it. "

"But, " said I, "I mean to stick to Tempest as well. The fact is, fromwhat I hear, "--little I realised the fatal error I was making!--"he's inrather a bad way himself. "

"How?"

"Well, don't tell; but he's owing a lot in the shops; and if he can'tpay he'll get shown up. "

There was a whistle of dismay at this. Sweeten's fate was still freshin the memory of some of the faggery. 

"We'll have to give him a leg-up, " was the general verdict. 

"Oh, don't let out I told you!" said I, beginning to get alarmed at theinterest my revelation had evoked. 

"Who's going to say a word about you? We can back up the cock of ourown house, I suppose, without asking your precious leave. You go andblack Crofter's boots. We'll see old Tempest through. "

This was not at all what I wanted. I had at least hoped to berecognised as Tempest's leading champion in this company. Whereas, herewas I coolly shunted, my revelation coolly appropriated, and my servicesunceremoniously dispensed with. I did not like it at all. 

"This dodge about stringing up Jarman's guy, " said Trimble, "ought tohelp our man a bit. It'll show we're taking the matter up. By the way, Sarah's not heard the latest--we're going to blow him up as well as hanghim. "

And they proceeded to explain that the guy was to be filled chock-fullof fireworks and gunpowder, and his tongue to be made of touch-paper. Altogether, he was to be a most dangerous and explosive effigy; and I, as president of the Philosophical Conversation Club, was naturallyselected to take charge of him. 

I pleaded hard for a sub-committee to assist me, but they would not hearof it. 

"It'll only be a day or two, " said they, "to the Fifth of November. We'll have his stuffing all in to-morrow--there's almost enoughfireworks left over from the picnic to load him. Then you can stow himaway quiet somewhere till the day. Couldn't you stick him under yourbed?"

"Oh no, he might go off, you know, " said I; "or some one might see him. Besides, he'll be too stout to go under. "

"Bother!--where can he go, then?"

"I vote we stick him in the lumber room under the gymnasium. Nobodyever goes there, and you can get into it any time by the area outside, "said Coxhead. 

This was voted an excellent idea. At any rate, if he was discovered ordid go off there, the gymnasium was far enough away from Sharpe's. 

So, with much rejoicing, the guy was duly loaded with his explosiveinternals, and clad in an old derelict overcoat of some late senior. Myfamous hat adorned his hideous head, and my unappreciated tan boots lentdistinction to his somewhat incoherent legs. A train of touch-paperconnected with a Roman candle was cunningly devised to protrude in theform of a tongue from his mouth, while ginger-beer bottles filled withgunpowder served as hands. And the whole work of art was one darkevening conveyed by me tenderly and deposited among a wilderness ofbroken forms, empty hampers, and old bottles in the lumber room underthe school gymnasium, "to be called for" in a few days time. 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

GUNPOWDER TREASON. 

One result of my boating excursion was that Crofter ceased to frequenthis fellow-seniors' studies. There was no declaration of war, or, indeed, any formal breaking off of relations. But Crofter had senseenough of his own dignity to feel that he had been slighted by Tempest:and Tempest and his friends had no inclination to heal the trouble, orassume an attitude of friendliness they did not feel. 

As for me, I found it very hard to steer an even course between thecompeting parties. Crofter nodded and spoke to me just as usual, andwas evidently amused by my panic lest these pacific overtures should beobserved or misconstrued by Tempest. Tempest, on the other hand, didnot refer again to the subject, but took a little more pains than beforeto look after me and help me in my work. And an evening or two later, much to my surprise, when I went as usual to "tidy up" in Pridgin's roomwhile Tempest was there too, my lord and master said abruptly, --

"Let my things alone, kid. Tempest appreciates a mess in his place morethan I do, so I've swopped you for Trimble. "

"What?" said I, in tones of mingled amazement and pleasure. "Am I--"

"You're to go and fetch my blazer, " said Tempest, "that I left on theparallel bars in the gymnasium this afternoon. Look alive, or I shallstick to Trimble. "

I really began to think there must be something unusually desirableabout me, that fellows should be so anxious to possess me. ThePhilosophers had with one accord sought me for president. Pridgin hadwanted me. Crofter had wanted me. Even Redwood had wanted me. And nowhere was old Tempest putting in his claim! He should have me--I wouldnot be so selfish as to deprive him of the coveted privilege. 

In a somewhat "tilted" condition I went off on my errand, not evendelaying to announce the great news to my fellow-Philosophers. It was adark evening, and the gymnasium was some way off. But I knew the way bythis time. I had daily walked past the area door and glanced down atthe dangerous guy where it lay with its lolling tongue under thegrating, to assure myself of its welfare. It was all right up till now, and in two days it would be off my hands. 

The square was empty as I crossed it, and, to my satisfaction, I foundthe gymnasium door unlocked. I groped my way to the corner where theparallel bars stood, and there found the blazer, which I carried off intriumph. 

As I emerged from the door and came down the steps, I became aware oftwo points of light in front of me, and a voice out of the darkness, which caused me to jump almost out of my skin, --

"Who is that?"

It was Mr Jarman's voice--and I could just discern his shadowy formaccompanied by that of Mr Selkirk standing before me. The two masterswere evidently taking an after-dinner turn with their cigars, and hadheard my footsteps. 

"Jones iv. , sir; I came to fetch Tempest's blazer. "

"Who gave you leave?"

"Tempest, sir. "

"Take the blazer back where you found it, and tell Tempest if he leaveshis things in the gymnasium he must fetch them at proper hours. This isthe third time I have had to speak to you, Jones iv. You must attend anextra drill to-morrow, and learn fifty lines by heart. This constantirregularity must be stopped. "

So saying, he took his companion's arm and strolled off. 

I returned dismally into the dark gymnasium and flung the blazer on tothe nearest seat; and then hurried back to report the result of mymission to Tempest. 

As I guessed, our poor guy downstairs was likely to be nowhere in theexplosion which this last insult called forth. 

With clenched teeth Tempest sprang from his seat and snatched his cap. 

"It's awfully dark, " said I; "if you're going, you'd better take somematches. "

"Fetch me some, " said he, with a harsh, dry voice. I fled off, andreturned with a box of fusees, which the Philosophers had laid in forthe approaching celebration of Guy Fawkes' Day. 

Tempest snatched them from my hand and strode off. I wished he had letme go with him. I heard his footsteps swing heavily across thequadrangle, as if challenging the notice of the enemy. Whether theenemy heard or answered the challenge I could not say. The steps diedaway into silence, and I listened in vain for further sign. 

Presently I returned to the faggery, where the Philosophers were justpreparing to obey the summons to bed. 

Hurriedly I recited the event of the evening, and for once was honouredwith their rapt and excited attention. 

"My eye, what a shame we can't go out and see the fun!" cried Langrish. 

"I hope he makes jelly of him, " said Trimble. "I'm jolly glad I'm hisfag. "

This brought on a crisis I had rather feared. 

"You're not, " said I. "Pridgin has swopped me for you. "

"What!" screamed Trimble, taking a running kick at my shins. 

"I didn't do it. Shut up. Trim! that's my leg you're kicking. It wasPridgin. Go and kick him, " said I. 

But Trim was in no mood to listen to reason. 

"I always said you were a sneak, " snarled he; "now I know it. Come andkick the beast, you fellows. It's all a low dodge. Kick him, I say. "

The company showed every disposition to respond to the appeal. 

"Look here, " said I, "it's not my fault--but if you kick me, I'll tellhim about your precious guy, and you can look after him yourself; Ishan't. There!"

This rather fetched them. As custodian of that illicit effigy I had myuses, and they hardly cared to dispense with me. So Trimble was orderednot to make an ass of himself, and the discussion went back to Tempestand his blazer. 

"I tell you what, " said Warminster. "I vote we hang about a bit andcheer him when he comes in. There's no one to lag us for not going tobed, and we may as well stay and back him up. "

With which patriotic resolve we resumed our seats and occupied theinterval with auditing the accounts of the club--a painful and tediousoperation which gave rise to much dispute and recrimination, particularly when it was discovered that on paper we were 25 shillingsto the good, whereas in the treasurer's pocket we were 6 shillings tothe bad. 

The treasurer had a bad quarter of an hour of it, till it was discoveredthat the auditors had accidentally forgotten to carry the total of onecolumn to the top of the next, an oversight which nearly brought aboutthe dissolution of the club, so fierce was the storm which raged overit. 

More than half an hour was spent over these proceedings, and we began towonder why Tempest had not come back. It was certain he must have beenstopped by somebody, or he would have been back in ten minutes. Had heand Jarman had an encounter? Was Mr Jarman at that moment begging forquarter? or was our man answering for his riot to the head master?

Half an hour passed, three-quarters, an hour. Then, just as we weregiving him up, hurried footsteps came across the quadrangle, andTempest, with pale face and disordered guise, carrying his blazer on hisarm, entered and passed rapidly to his room. His countenance was tooforbidding for us to venture on our promised cheer. Something unusualhad happened. How we longed to know what it was!

I was thrust forward to follow him to his study, on the chance ofascertaining, and was on the point of obeying, when a terrific soundbroke the silence of the night, and sent us back with white, rigid facesin a heap into the faggery. 

The sound proceeded from the direction of the gymnasium--first of all, adull, spasmodic thunder; then a fierce burst, followed almostimmediately by two tremendous reports which shook us to the soles of ourboots. 

It reminded me of that fearful night at Dangerfield, when Tempest--

I clung on to Langrish, who was next to me, in mute despair, andLangrish in turn embraced Trimble. 

"Those, " gasped the voice of Coxhead, "were the--ginger--beer--bottles. What--shall--we--do?"

"Cut to bed sharp!" said the resolute though quavering voice ofWarminster, "and lie low. "

"There won't be much of him left, " whispered Trimble, "that's one goodthing, " as we huddled off our clothes in the dark in the dormitory. 

It was a gleam of comfort, certainly. Effigies of that kind, when theydo go off, leave few marks of identity behind them. 

"Who let it off?" I ventured to ask. "No one knew about it except us. "

"Look out! There's somebody coming!"

It was Mr Sharpe, who looked in, candle in hand, to see if any one hadbeen disturbed by the noise. But every one was sleeping peacefully, blissfully unconscious that anything had happened. 

"Narrow shave that, " said Langrish, when the master had retired. 

"I say, " said Trimble. "I wonder if Tempest--"

Here he pulled up, but a muffled whistle of dismay took up his meaning. 

"If he did, he must have found it out by himself. I never said a wordto him, " said I. 

"You were bound to make a mess of it, " said Coxhead. "Why ever couldn'tyou stick the thing where nobody could find it?"

"So I did; it was leaning up against the cellar wall; no one couldpossibly get at it. "

"Why not? the area door's open. "

"No, it ain't. I locked it, and hid the key, " said I, triumphantly, "for fear of accident, under the scraper. "

"Good old Sarah--that's lucky. But what about the grating in thegymnasium floor? Couldn't you twig it through that?"

"Not unless you were looking for it. And if you could, you couldn't getat it. "

"Well, " said Trimble, rather brutally, "I hope it's all right, for yoursake. Fellows who keep guys must take the consequences. It would havebeen much safer if you'd kept it under your bed. "

"You may keep the next, " growled I. "I've done with it. "

Considering the probable condition of the luckless effigy at thatmoment, nobody was inclined to contradict me; and the Philosophersrelapsed into gloomy silence, and eventually fell asleep. 

I was probably the last to reach that blissful stage. For hours I layawake, a prey to the most dismal reflections. To do myself justice, myown peril afflicted me at the time--perhaps because I did not realiseit--less than Tempest's. Whether he had blown up the guy or not, thingswould be sure to look black against him, and my recollection of theepisode of Hector's death told me he would come out of it badly. How, if he had done it, he had contrived to get at the explosives, I couldnot fathom. I was sure, even with his grudge against Jarman, he was notthe sort of fellow to take a revenge that was either mean or dastardly;and yet--and yet--and yet--

When with one accord we woke next morning it needed no specialintimation to be aware that something had happened at Low Heath. Masters and school attendants were talking in groups in the quadrangle. Boys were flitting across in the direction of the gymnasium; and seniorsin twos and threes were deferring their morning dip and hovering aboutin serious confabulation. 

"Something up?" said Trimble, with ill-concealed artlessness. "I wonderwhat it is?"

"Looks like a row of some sort, " said Langrish. "What are all the chapsgoing across to the gym. For, I wonder?"

"Let's go and see, " said Coxhead. 

"We needn't all go together, " said Warminster, significantly. So one byone, casually, and at studied distances from our comrades, thePhilosophers dropped into the crowd and made for the scene of lastnight's accident. 

I felt terribly nervous. Suppose some one had been killed, or supposethe gymnasium had been burnt, and suspicion fell on any one, what a fixit would be!

In my distress I met Dicky Brown, full of news. 

"Hullo, Jones, I say, have you heard? Some chap's been trying to blowup the gym. In the night, and there's a row and a half on. The frontdoor is smashed, and the floor all knocked to bits. Come and have alook. "

"Any one killed or hurt?"

"I've not heard. Didn't you hear the noise?"

"Yes. Our chaps heard a row in the night. "

"We could hear it at our place, " said Brown. "They say the chap's knownwho did it, too. "

"Who?"

"How do I know? Some chap who's been extra drilled, most likely. "

"There's plenty of them, " suggested I. 

"Well, yes. They say a lot of gunpowder had been stowed in the lumberroom just under the door. There, do you see?"

We had reached the scene of the tragedy, and I was able to judge of themischief which had been done. The door was broken, but whether by theexplosion or ordinary violence it was hard to say. The floor andgrating over the lumber room were broken away, and one or two windowswere smashed. That was all. My first feeling was one of relief thatthe damage was so slight. I had pictured the whole building a wreck, and a row of mangled remains on stretchers all round. Compared withthat, our poor guy had really made a very slight disturbance. Of him Iwas thankful to be able to observe no trace, except one tan boot and afragment of a ginger-beer bottle in the area. That indeed was badenough, but, I argued, the lumber room was full of old cast-off shoesand bottles, and these would probably be set down as fragments of therubbish displaced by the explosion. 

Brown, however, and others to whom I spoke, failed to share my view ofthe slightness of the damage. 

"If the fellow's found, it will be a case of the police court for him. "

The blood left my face as I heard the awful words. It had neveroccurred to me yet that the matter was one of more than school concern. Visions of penal servitude and a broken-hearted mother swam before myeyes. Oh, why had I ever left the tranquil seclusion of Fallowfield forthis awful place?

As soon as possible I edged quietly out of the crowd, and made my waydismally back to Sharpe's, where I met not a few of our fellows, alleager for news. 

I was too sick to give them much information, and sent them to inspectfor themselves while I made my way dismally to Tempest's room. 

He was up, reading. 

"Hullo, youngster, " said he, "what's all the row about? What was thatnoise in the quad, last night? were some of your lot fooling about withfireworks?"

"Don't you know?" gasped I, fairly taken aback with the question. "Why, some one's been trying to blow up the gymnasium!"

"What!" he exclaimed. "Why, _I_ was there, not long before the noise. Who's done it?"

"That's what nobody knows. I'm afraid there'll be a row about it. "

"Any fool could tell that, " said Tempest, with troubled face. 

"I wish you hadn't been there, " said I; "they may think it was you. "

"Let them, " said he, with a laugh which was anything but merry. I waslonging to hear what had happened to him last night, but he did notvolunteer any information, and I did not care to question him. 

Horribly uneasy, I was about to seek the questionable consolations of mycomrades, when the school messenger entered with a long face. 

"Master Tempest, the head master wants to see you at once. "

"All right, " said Tempest. 

"He said I was to bring you. "

"If you want to carry me, you may, " said Tempest, with a short laugh;"if not, wait a moment and I'll come. Jones, tell Pridgin I want tospeak to him--wait, I'll go to him. "

The school messenger looked as if he felt it his duty to take the seniorat his word. Had Tempest been a smaller boy, he might have done so. Asit was, he repeated, --

"At once, please, sir. "

Tempest took no notice, but went across the passage to his friend'sroom. 

When he reappeared in a minute or two, Pridgin was with him, and withouttaking further notice of the messenger's presence the two walked arm-in-arm out of the house and across the quadrangle. 

The news of the summons spread like wildfire. The Philosophers, when indue time they mustered in the faggery after their inspection of thescene of the outrage, were not slow in taking in the seriousness of thesituation. 

"Of course he's suspected. It's all your fault, you ass, for being sucha muff and letting Jarman catch you. You can't do a thing withoutmaking a mess of it. "

"How could I help it?" I pleaded. 

"Couldn't you have fetched his blazer for him without running into thatcad's way?"

"What I can't make out, " said Langrish, "is how Tempest knew about theguy and was able to let it off. "

"I don't believe he did, " said I. "I'm sure he didn't. "

"You'd believe anything. Things like that don't go off by themselves, do they?"

I was bound to admit they did not, but persisted in my belief thatTempest had nothing to do with it. 

But the logic of the Philosophers was irresistible. 

"Didn't we see him go over and come back? and didn't it blow up themoment he got into the house?" said Trimble. 

"And didn't he go over on purpose to have it out with Jarman?" saidCoxhead. 

"And hadn't he got his blazer with him when he came back?--so he musthave been in the gym. , " said Warminster. 

"Who else was likely to do it?" said Langrish. "I suppose you'll try tomake out Jarman tried to blow himself up?"

"I never said so. All I said was that I'm positive Tempest never didit. "

"And all we say is that you're about as big an ass as you look, andthat's saving a good deal, " chimed in the Philosophers. 

How long the wrangle might have gone on I cannot say. For just then theschool messenger appeared on the scene once more--this time in quest ofme. 

"Young Master Jones iv. , you're to go to the head master at once. "

"What for?" said I, feeling a cold shudder go down my spine. 

"Ask a policeman, " replied the ribald official. "You've had a shorttime and a merry one, my young gentleman; but it's over at last. "

"But I never--"

"Sharp's the word!" interrupted he. 

"You'd better cut, " said the Philosophers. "We'll give you a lift if wecan. "

It was poor consolation, but such as it was I valued it. Never criminalwalked to the gallows with as heavy a heart as I followed the schoolmessenger across the quadrangle and past the fated gymnasium to the headmaster's study. 

There I found four people waiting to see me. Tempest looking verysullen, the head master looking very grave, Mr Jarman looking veryvicious, and a policeman looking very cheerful. 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

BEFORE THE "BEAK. "

At the sight of the policeman I gave myself up for lost. The sins anderrors of my youth all rose in a hideous procession before me. Irecalled vividly the occasion when, years ago, I had borrowed DickyBrown's "nicker" without acknowledgment, and lost it. I recalled adismal series of assaults and libels in my guardian's office. Irecollected with horror once travelling on a half-ticket two days aftermy twelfth birthday. Above all, the vision of that ill-favoured effigyunder the grating rose gibbering and mocking me to my face, and claimingme for penal servitude, if not for the gallows itself. 

How well I remember every detail of that scene as I entered the doctor'sstudy! The bust of Minerva looking askance at me from above the book-case; the quill in the doctor's hand with its fringe all on end;Tempest's necktie crooked and showing the collar stud above; MrJarman's eye coldly fixed on me; and the policeman, helmet in hand, standing with his large boots on the hearthrug, the picture of contentand prosperity. 

"Jones, " said the doctor, "we have sent for you to tell us what you didat the gymnasium last night. You were there, I understand, after dark?"

I looked first at the doctor, then at Tempest. I would have givenworlds to be able to have two minutes' conversation with him, andascertain what he wished me to say, if indeed he wished me to sayanything at all. The memory of a similar dilemma at Dangerfield onlyserved to confuse me more, and make it impossible to decide how I shouldact now; while the presence of the policeman drove from my head anyideas that were ever there. Would Tempest like me to say that I wentthere at his bidding, and if not, how could I explain the matter? Iwished I only knew what had been said already, so that at least I mightput my evidence on the right side. 

"Yes, sir, " said I, "I saw Mr Jarman there. "

"What were you doing there, eh, young master?" said the policeman. 

This was an unexpected attack from the flank of the battle for which Iwas wholly unprepared. I could have told the doctor, or even MrJarman. But to be questioned thus by a representative of the law wastoo much for my delicate nerves. 

"Really, it wasn't me, " said I. "I didn't do it, and don't know whodid. I only went to get a blazer, and left it there directly Mr Jarmantold me to do so. "

"A blazer?" said the policeman, with the air of a man who has made adiscovery. "What sort of a thing is that? A blazer? Was it alight?"

Here Tempest laughed irreverently, much to the displeasure of thepoliceman. I was, however, thankful for the cue. 

"What, " said I, "don't you know what a blazer is? Anybody knows that. It's what you have in the fields. "

"Come, young gentleman, " said the officer, whom Tempest's laugh had puton his dignity, "no prevaricating. What were you doing with that thereblazer?"

"What was I doing with it? Fetching it. "

The policeman was evidently puzzled. He wished he knew what a blazerwas, but in the present distinguished company did not like to show hisignorance. 

"That blazer must be produced, " said he; "it'll be evidence. "

I looked at Tempest, as the person best able to deal with the matter, and said, --

"I left it in the gym. Mr Jarman made me. "

"How long was that before the explosion? Was it alight when you leftit?"

"The blazer? Oh no. "

"A blazer, " explained the head master blandly, "is a flannel jacket. Idon't see what use it can be as evidence. "

"I suppose, " said Tempest jauntily, who was evidently recovering hispresence of mind, "he thought it was a lucifer match. "

"You'll laugh on the wrong side of your face, young gentleman, " said thepoliceman wrathfully; "this here matter will have to be gone into. There's been a party injured, and it'll be a matter for the magistrate. You'll have to come along with me. "

"I tell you, " said Tempest, becoming grave once more, "I've had no moreto do with it than you have. "

"And yet, " said Mr Jarman, speaking for the first time, "the explosiontook place immediately after you were there, and when it was impossiblefor any one else to be there. "

"I say I know nothing at all about it, " said Tempest shortly, "and Idon't care what you think. "

"Come, Tempest, " said Dr England, "no good will be gained by losingtemper. It is very necessary to get to the bottom of this business, especially as some one has been injured. It seems almost impossible theexplosion could have happened by accident; at the same time, knowingwhat I do of you, I do not myself believe that you are the boy who wouldcommit an outrage of this sort. As the policeman intends to report theaffair to the magistrate, you had better go with him and let himinvestigate the matter. Don't do yourself injustice by losing yourtemper. Mr Jarman, your attendance will probably be necessary; andJones had better go too, although so far he has not thrown very muchlight on the matter. Constable, if you will take my compliments toCaptain Rymer and ask him when he can see us--"

"Beg pardon, sir, " said the constable, evidently sore about the blazer, "the young gent must come along with me now. That's my duty, and Ican't take no instructions contrary. "

"Very well, " said the doctor stiffly; "we will go to Captain Rymer atonce. "

"Hadn't you better handcuff me?" said Tempest, who appeared to be seizedwith a wild desire to exasperate the man of the law. 

The policeman glared as if he was disposed to take him at his word. 

"None of your imperence, I can tell you, my beauty!" said he. "I ain'ta-going to stand it--straight. Come, stir yourself. "

"It is not necessary, " said the head master, "for you to come with us. I give my word that we shall be at the police court immediately. But Iwish to avoid the public scandal of one of my boys going through thestreets in charge. "

"I ain't a-going to let him out of my sight, " said the ruffledconstable. "I know his style. "

Tempest smiled provokingly. 

"I'd sooner walk, sir, " said he. "If the policeman holds me on one sideand Mr Jarman on the other--"

"Silence, sir, " said the doctor sternly, while Mr Jarman raised hisbrows deprecatingly. 

"Am I to come too?" said I. 

"Yes. "

"I should like Pridgin and some of the fellows to be there too, sir, "said Tempest. "They saw me just before and just after the explosion. "

"It does not seem necessary to have more boys, " said Mr Jarman. 

"Not to you!" said Tempest hotly; "the fewer _you_ have the better. Butif you choose to accuse me, I sha'n't ask you whom to have to speak forme. "

"Tempest, " said the head master, "you are only doing yourself harm bythis. Jones, go and fetch Pridgin, and any of the others he speaks of, to the police court; and kindly do not say a word of what has passedhere. How, constable, are you ready?"

The school was fortunately all within doors at the time, so that, exceptto the few who chanced to be gazing from the windows, the littleprocession, headed by the doctor and Mr Jarman, with the policeman andTempest bringing up the rear, passed unobserved. 

I was full of apprehensions. Whatever the result, I knew Tempest wellenough to be sure that the effect on him would be bad, and would callout in him all that spirit of insubordination and defiance which hadbefore now threatened to wreck his career. A strong sense ofresponsibility was all that had hitherto held it in check. If that werenow shattered--and how could it help being upset by this charge?--itwould break out badly and dangerously. I was not long in speeding overto Sharpe's, where I found Pridgin just going over to class. 

He heard the doctor's message with a groan of weariness. 

"What's the use of my going?--_I_ can't tell them anything, " said he. 

"You can tell them Tempest never did it, " said I. 

"If they don't believe him, they won't me. Anyhow, I am coming. "Thereupon I was inspired to tell him the secret history of the effigy ofMr Jarman, and my theory as to the cause of the explosion; namely, thatTempest might have dropped a match through the grating, not knowing onwhat it would fall, and that in the natural perversity of things it hadlit on the projecting tongue of the guy. 

"You'd better make a clean breast of that guy, " said Pridgin, "if youwant to get Tempest out of this mess. You'll probably get expelled orflogged, but Low Heath can spare you better than it can Tempest. Itstrikes me you'd better fetch down one or two of your lot to corroborateyou. It sounds too neat a story as it is. "

Whereupon I sought out Langrish and Trimble, and had the satisfaction ofmaking their hair stand on end for once. At first they flatly refusedto come, and reminded me that, as President of the Conversation Club, the entire responsibility for the guy rested on me. 

"All serene, " said I, "only come and let them know how Jarman brought itall on. The more we go for him, the better for our man. "

They failed to see the force of my logic, but curiosity and love ofadventure induced them to venture into the lion's den. On our way, moreover, we captured Dicky Brown, who, to do him credit, was only tooeager to come with us and stand by his old Dux. 

Contrary to our expectations, when we arrived, instead of finding acrowded court, we were ushered into the magistrate's parlour, where, tojudge by appearances, a comfortable little party was going on. 

The captain, a cheery old boy, familiar to all Low Heathens for hispresence on speech day, sat at a table with his clerk beside him. Thedoctor and Mr Jarman were also sitting down, and Tempest was standingrestlessly near the window. The lodge-keeper's son, with his head boundup (for he was the victim of the explosion, and I suppose, theprosecutor), was standing beside the policeman, cap in hand, on the mat. 

At the sight of the three juniors the doctor frowned a little, and MrJarman scowled. 

"What are these boys doing here?" said the former. 

"Please, sir, we thought you wanted to hear how it went off, " saidLangrish. 

"So we do, " said the magistrate; "sit down, my lads. Well hear what youhave to say in time. "

"Please, sir, " said Tempest, "may I speak to Pridgin?"

"Certainly, my lad, " said the captain again. 

So the two friends hastily conferred together in the window, while westared round with an awestruck, and apparently disconcerting, gaze atthe gentlemen on the doormat, who severally represented the majesty ofthe law and injured innocence. 

"Now, then, " said the magistrate presently, "let us hear what this isall about. One of your boys, doctor, I see, is charged with attemptingto blow up part of the school gymnasium last night, and injuring thispoor fellow here. Who makes the charge, by the way? Do you?"

"No, " said the doctor, "I understand Mr Jarman does. "

"Which is Mr Jarman?" said the captain, looking blandly round. "Ah, you. Well, sir, this is a serious charge to make; _let_ us hear whatyou have to say. This is not a sworn examination, but what you say willbe taken down, and the boy you accuse will have a right to ask anyquestion. Now, sir. "

Mr Jarman, thereupon, with very bad grace, for he felt that themagistrate's tone was not cordial, related how he was walking in thecourt at such and such an hour, when he saw a boy attempting to enterthe gymnasium. That he stopped him and demanded his name. That the boypushed past him and entered the gymnasium. Upon which Mr Jarman turnedthe key on the outside in order to detain him there, by way ofpunishment. That the boy began to kick at the door, and after half anhour broke it open and made his escape. That the boy was Tempest, andthat scarcely two minutes after he had left, and just after Mr Jarman, having stayed to examine the damage to the door, had turned to go away, the explosion occurred; that he heard a cry from young Sugden, thelodge-keeper's son, who was passing at the time, and was thrownviolently forward against the railings, cutting his head badly. 

"How do you know the boy was Tempest?" asked the magistrate. 

"I recognised him in the dark, " said Mr Jarman. "In fact, I expectedhim. "

"Expected him?"

"Yes, he had sent his fag for a jacket just previously, and I had sentthe fag back. "

"Why?"

"Boys are not allowed to enter the gymnasium after dark. "

"Is that a rule of the school?"

"It is my rule. "

"Does it apply to senior boys as well as juniors?" asked Tempest. 

"I am responsible for the gymnasium, and--"

"That is not the question, " said the magistrate. "Have you ever allowedsenior boys in the gymnasium after dark?"

"I may have; but I forbade Tempest to enter last night. "

"What harm was there in his fetching his coat, if it was not againstrules?"

"It was against rules to go in when I told him not. "

"Well, well, " said Captain Rymer, "that is a matter that need not detainus. Have you any more questions, Mr Tempest?"

"Yes, please, sir. You said you were expecting me, Mr Jarman. Whatmade you do that?"

"I expected, from my knowledge of your conduct, that you would come andtry and get the blazer. "

"When have I disobeyed you before?"

"You know as well as I do, Tempest. "

"Yes, but I don't, " said the magistrate. "Answer the question. "

Mr Jarman thereupon gave his version of the affair at Camp Hill Bottom. 

"The offence being, " said the magistrate, "that the boys, Tempest amongthem, were out, on the afternoon of a holiday, half an hour from theschool, with only a one quarter of an hour to get back. You punishedthe boys, I understand. "

"Yes. "

"And Tempest took his punishment with the rest. "

"Yes. "

"I suppose it is a special indignity to a senior boy, captain of hishouse, to be paraded for extra drill with a lot of small boys, eh, DrEngland?"

"I should consider it so, " said the doctor. 

"I did not feel myself called upon to make any difference, " said MrJarman. 

"Apparently not. And on account of this affair, you say you expectedTempest would attempt to defy you last night?"

Mr Jarman bit his lips and did not reply. 

Tempest resumed his questions with a coolness that surprised us. 

"You were smoking, I think, Mr Jarman?"

"What if I was?"

"Nothing, only I wanted the magistrate to know it. And you locked meinto the gymnasium for half an hour till I kicked myself out. I say youhad no right to do that. What did you do while I was inside?"

"I walked up and down. "

"Did you try to stop me when I got out?"

"No. "

"Why?" asked Tempest, with a sneer that made us all contrast his broadshoulders with the master's slouch. 

"I decided to deal with the matter to-day. "

"How did you see what I had done to the door in the dark?"

"I saw by the light of a match. "

"You say it was two minutes after I left that the explosion took place, and immediately after you left?"

"That's what I said. "

"And you were striking matches during the interval?"

"Yes. "

"And yet you suggest that it was I who blew the place up?"

"I say it was suspicious, knowing your frame of mind and the passion youwere in at the time. "

"How could I blow up the place without explosives?"

"There must have been some there already. "

"He didn't know anything about that! That was our affair, wasn't it, you chaps?" blurted out Trimble. 

"Rather, " chimed in all of us. 

The sensation in the court at this announcement may be better imaginedthan described. 

The magistrate put on his glasses and stared at us. Mr Jarman lookedstartled. The doctor looked bewildered. 

"You see, it was this way, " said Trimble, who had been working himselfup to the point all through the previous cross-examination. "We had--"

"Wait a moment, my boy, " said the magistrate. But the witness was tooeager to listen to the remark. 

"It was this way. We had a guy belonging to the Ph. C. C, you know, andhe was chock-full of fireworks. We were keeping him for Guy Fawkes'Day, you know. You wouldn't have known he was Jarman (Mr Jarman, Imean), to look at him, but he was, and Sarah, being president, offeredto look after him. It was too big to stick under the bed, so--"

"So, " continued I, "I thought the safest place to stick him would be inthe lumber room under the gym. ; and I never thought any one would bedropping matches through the grating on his touch-paper tongue. Tempestdidn't know anything about it, and--"

"You see, " said Langrish, taking up the parable, "we meant to keep itdark, and only the Philosophers were in it; he had on Sarah's hat andboots, and a top-coat we found somewhere about. He'd have never goneoff of himself, and he wouldn't have done any harm on the Fifth, when weshould have hung and blown him up in the open. Tempest--"

"Tempest, " broke in Dicky Brown, putting in his oar, "isn't the kind ofchap to do a thing like that on purpose; and it must have been MrJarman blew him up by mistake, with one of his matches or the end of acigar or something--"

"It was a mulish thing of Sarah to stick him there, " said Trimble, "buthe knows no better, and thought it was all right. So did we, andPridgin says it was quite an accident, sir, and--"

"And if any one's to get in a row, " said I, "we'd better, because he wasour guy, and the mistake we made was letting his touch-paper tongue hangout so far. He'd have never blown up if it hadn't been for that. "

Here there was a general pause for breath, and the magistrate, whoevidently had a sense of humour, said, --

"And pray who is Sarah, my man?"

"That's what they call me when they're fooling; it's not my real name, really, sir. Jones iv. Is my real name. "

"That's right, " said Trimble; "he's only called Sarah because he lookslike it. He's not more in it than the rest of us, because he only hadto take care of the guy because he was president. We're all sorry thetongue was made so long. "

The magistrate did his best to look grave as he turned to Mr Jarman. 

"Does this explanation help to clear up the mystery?"

Mr Jarman bit his lips and said, --

"If it is as they say, it may account for the explosion. I certainlydropped several matches through the grating. "

"It is as we say, isn't it, you chaps?" said Langrish. "We wouldn'ttell a cram about it. "

"Rather not!" chimed we. 

"Very well. Then I don't see that I can do much good, " said themagistrate. "Dr England will know better how to deal with the matter. An accident is an accident after all; and if I may give an opinion, these boys have done quite properly in coming here and telling all aboutit. Little boys should not be allowed to play with explosives. At thesame time, you must allow me to say, Mr Jarman, that it is unfortunatefor a master to put himself in the position of being made the subject ofan effigy. As for Tempest, there is absolutely nothing against him, unless according to the rules of the school it is an offence for a boywho is locked up in a dark room at night to do his best to get out. Itis a great pity the matter was brought to me at all; but as it has been, my advice is to let it rest where it is. Meanwhile, this poor fellowwho has been injured has some claim, and I dare say this sovereign willhelp get him the necessary bandages and plaster for his forehead. Goodmorning, Dr England; good morning, Mr Jarman. Good day, my lads. Letthis be a lesson against touch-paper tongues. " So ended the famousaffair of Mr Jarman's guy. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

GOING DOWN STREAM. 

If any one supposed that Low Heath had heard the last of Mr Jarman'sguy they little knew Mr Jarman, or Tempest, or the Philosophers. Theghost of that unhappy effigy was hardly likely to be laid by a simplemagisterial decision. 

Mr Jarman, it was rumoured, had a bad quarter of an hour with thedoctor that evening, and went about his ordinary work for the next fewdays with a scowl which boded no good to any one who chanced to crosshim, least of all to those of us who had contributed to his defeat. 

Tempest, on the other hand, took his victory coolly. He talked it overwith his chums, and came to the conclusion that they were quits with theenemy and could afford to leave him alone. But it was plain to see thathe had suffered a jar, which found expression in his reckless unconcernfor the duties of his position as head of his house, and an increaseddisinclination to make any exertion for the credit of a school which, heconsidered, had treated him ill. What troubled me most was to noticethat his spirits had flagged, and that he was dropping slowly into thelistless indifference which had made Pridgin only a term ago shirk hisresponsibilities to the school. 

Towards us juniors he was utterly easy-going, perhaps in token of hisgratitude for the assistance we had rendered him at a critical time; butchiefly, I fear, because he was slack to check anything which seemed todefy constituted authority or promised to give an uneasy time to therepresentatives of law and order. 

To do us credit, we availed ourselves of his licence to the uttermost. Sharpe's rapidly became known as the "rowdy" house at Low Heath, and wegrew almost proud of the distinction. Mr Sharpe, an amiable bookworm, made periodical mild expostulations, which were always mostdeferentially received, and most invariably neglected. 

If any reader thinks (as we flattered ourselves at the time) that MrJarman was the cause of all this state of things, let me tell him he isas stupid as we young fools then were. 

It's all very well to stand up for your rights, but the way to do it isnot by letting everything go wrong. If poor old Tempest had taken abigger view of things, he would have seen that the way to pay Jarman outwas by making Sharpe's house the crack house of Low Heath in spite ofhim. But how hard it is to see just what the right thing is at thetime! So I do not propose to throw stones at anybody, whatever thereader may do. 

The Philosophers of course duly entered a record of the transactionsjust related in their minutes, the reading of which occupied the wholeof one of the extraordinary general meetings of their club. 

One could never say what line Langrish would take up; and I as presidentalways had my qualms in calling upon him to read the minutes of theprevious meeting. 

On the present occasion our meeting was held one half-holiday late inthe term, in mid-stream, on a barge which, in the course of a"scientific" ramble, we found in a forlorn condition, about a mile aboveLow Heath. It was empty, and neither horse nor man nor boy was there tobetoken that it had an owner. 

Being capacious, though dirty--for it was evidently in the habit ofcarrying coal--it struck us generally that in the interests ofphilosophy we should explore it. The result being satisfactory, it wasmoved and seconded and carried that the club hereby hold anextraordinary meeting. 

Objection was taken to the proximity of our meeting-place to thebank--"in case some of the day louts should be fooling about, " asWarminster explained. Thereupon, with herculean efforts, we shoved outthe stern across stream, the prow being still tethered; and catching onto a stake, we had the satisfaction not only of feeling ourselves in anunassailable position, but of knowing that we were effectually blockingthe river for any presumptuous wayfarer who wanted to go either upstream or down. 

After exploring the bunks and lockers and hold of the unsavoury vessel, Trimble proposed that it would be best for the club to occupy seats onthe floor of the barge, where, quite invisible to any one on shore orstream, we could hold our meeting undisturbed. 

In a few introductory remarks, which were listened to with someimpatience, I explained that things had reached a critical state at LowHeath. It was the duty of everybody to back up Tempest and make it hotfor Jarman. (Cries of "Why don't you?" "What's the use of you?") Wedidn't intend to be interfered with by anybody, and if Coxhead didn'tshut up shying bits of coal he'd get one for himself. (Derisive cheersfrom Coxhead, and more coal. )

Coxhead and I were both warm when, a quarter of an hour later, I resumedthe chair and called upon our excellent secretary to read the minutes, which he accordingly did. 

"Owing to the asinine mulishness of Sarah--" Here an interruptionoccurred. 

"Look here, " said I, "you've got to drop that, Langrish. I've told youalready I'm not going to stand it. "

"Stand what? Being called Sarah or an asinine mule?"

I explained that I was particularly referring to Sarah. 

"Oh, all serene, " said the secretary. "We'll start again. "

"Owing to the asinine mulishness of S--H, and three between--"

"No--that won't do, " said I, fiercely. 

"Owing to the asinine mulishness of--" here the speaker pointed at mewith his thumb--"of the asinine mule in the chair--"

I was weak enough to let this pass, and the applause with which it wasreceived quite carried the secretary off his feet. When he got on themagain he resumed, --

"Jarman's guy was mulled all through. Even Trimble couldn't have made abigger mess of it. "

Here Trimble mildly interposed, but Langrish, who had hooked one armthrough a ring in the side of the vessel, and had a firm grip with hisfeet up against a rib in front of him, was inflexible. 

"A bigger mess of it, " he repeated, when at last he was free to proceed. "It was stuck just under the grating of the gym. , and was neatly blownup by Jarman at 8:15 on November 2. The cost of the fireworks was four-and-six, which the asinine mule, as it was his fault, is going to handover to the club, or know the reason why. "

I said I would know the reason why. Whereupon a long Socratic argumentensued. 

"Do you mean to say it wasn't your fault?" demanded Langrish. 

"I couldn't tell Jarman would drop his cigar down. "

"But if you'd tried you couldn't have stuck him in a better place. "

"That's what I thought. What have you got to growl at?"

"You offered to put it in a safe place. "

"No, I didn't. I didn't want to have it at all. "

"But you did have it; you can't deny that. "

"No--but--"

"Hold on. And you stuck it there under the grating. "

"Well, and if I did--"

"And that's how Jarman's cigar got on to it. "

"Yes--but--"

"And that's how it blew up, wasn't it? You haven't the cheek to saythat wasn't the way it blew up?"

"Of course it was; only--"

"Therefore, if you hadn't stuck it there it wouldn't have blown up. Youcan't deny that?"

"I don't say that. What I say--"

"Therefore, it was you who blew it up; and it's you've got to pay forthe fireworks, Q. E. D. ; and if you don't shut up, young Sarah, you'll getyour face washed. "

I felt I was the victim of a very one-sided argument, but the popularverdict was so manifestly in favour of the secretary, that I wasconstrained to allow the point to pass. 

"--reason why, " resumed Langrish. "There was a bit of a row, and thedoctor and some of the chaps were had up before the beak. We got on allserene till a howling chimpanzee whose name is Sarah--"

"There you are again, " said I. "I'll pay you now. "

"What are you talking about? I never mentioned you--did I, you chaps?"

"Rather not, " chimed in the Philosophers assembled. 

"Of course, " said Langrish, "if whenever you hear of a howlingchimpanzee you think you're being referred to, we can't help it, canwe?"

The cheers which greeted this unanswerable proposition convinced me Ihad given myself away for once. 

"--howling chimpanzee, whose name's Sarah, put in his oar and spoilt thewhole thing. "

"If it hadn't been for me, " protested I, "you'd none of you have beenthere at all. "

"The magistrate, " proceeded Langrish, not heeding the interruption, "treated him with the contempt he deserved, and gave him a caution whichhe'll remember to the end of his days. "

"I don't remember it now, " I growled. 

"Turn him out for interrupting, " shouted the secretary. 

"You'd better not try, " snarled I, preparing to contest my seat. ButLangrish, eager to continue, went on, --

"The rest of us pulled Tempest through easy. If Trim hadn't dropped his'h's, ' and--"

Here there was a real row. Trim rose majestic and outraged, and hurledhimself on the secretary; and for a quarter of an hour at least, anycasual passer-by glancing at the apparently empty barge in mid-stream, would have come to the conclusion that it was swaying from side to siderather more violently than the force of the current seemed to warrant. 

Trimble's "h's" took a long time to avenge, and by the time it was donemost of us were pretty much the colour of the coal-dust in which we hadsearched for them. 

Langrish was about to proceed with his luckless minutes when Warminster, who had happened to peep above board for the sake of fresh air, exclaimed, --

"Hullo, we're adrift!"

Instantly all hands were on board, and we discovered that our gallantbarge, probably during the last argument, had slipped her boathook atthe stern, and that the rope which held our prow had evidently beenslipped for us by a couple of youths wearing the town-boy ribbon, whomwe could descry at that moment strolling innocently up the towing-path, apparently heedless of our existence. 

The great lumbering barge was going down stream side on, about half-waybetween either bank, at the breakneck speed of a mile an hour. We hadlost our boathook, and had nothing whatever to navigate our craft with. Worst of all, at the end of the long reach, coming to meet us, we couldsee another barge, towed by a horse, which could certainly never pass upin safety. 

We were in for it, and had evidently nothing to do but peer, with ourgrimy faces over the gunwale, at our impending doom. About a hundredyards off the men in charge of the opposition barge became aware of ourpresence, and a hurried interchange of polite observations took placebetween the skipper at the helm and the driver on the tow-path, theresult of which was that their tow-rope was cast off and hauled ashore;and man and horse, accompanied by a dangerous-looking dog, advanced at aquick pace to meet us. 

The rope was hurriedly gathered up in a coil and thrown across our bows, and we were invited to hitch the loop at the end over the hook on ourfront thwart. The horse was then put in motion, and the downward careerof our ark suffered an abrupt check, as we found ourselves rudely luggedin towards the bank. 

The situation was an awkward one, for not only was the skipper of theopposition barge landed, and awaiting us with an uncomplimentaryeagerness on the bank, but the driver, whip in hand, was standing besidehim, and the dog, showing his teeth, beside him. 

"Kotched yer, are we?" said the former, with a deplorable profuseness ofunnecessary verbiage, as he jumped on board. "We tho't as much. Lendme that there whip, Bill. "

"You tip 'em over, Tom; I'll make 'em jump. "

Escape was impossible. Our exits were in the hands of the enemy. Wemade one feeble attempt to temporise. 

"We're sorry, " said I, in my capacity as spokesman. "We didn't know itwas your boat, really. "

"You knows it now, " said the proprietor. "Over you go, or I'll 'elpyer. "

What I was it a case of being pitched overboard? We looked rounddesperately for hope, but there was none. We might by a concertedaction have tackled one man, but the other on the bank, with the whipand the dog, was a formidable second line to carry. It needed all ourphilosophy to sustain us in the emergency. 

"Come, wake up, " shouted the man. "'Ere, Tike, come!"

Whereupon, to our terror, the dog leapt up on to the barge, and jumpedyapping in our midst. 

"T'other side, if _you_ please, " said the bargee, as I prepared dismallyto take my header on the near side. "Wake 'im up, Tike!"

I needed no waking up; and giving myself up for lost, bounded to theother side of the barge, and made a floundering jump overboard. Luckilyfor us the Low Heathens could swim to a man, and if all that we were infor was to swim round that hideous barge and get ashore, we should havebeen easily out of it. But we had yet to reckon with the man and thewhip, who in his turn made every preparation to reckon with us. 

I was the first to taste his mettle. He had me twice before I could getclear, and I seem to feel it as I write. One by one the luckless anddripping Philosophers ran the gauntlet of that fatal debarkation, whichwas by no means alleviated by the opprobrious hilarity of our twocastigators and the delighted yappings of Tike. 

At last it was all over, and, dripping and smarting, we collected ourshattered forces a quarter of a mile down the towing-path, and hastilyagreed that as a meeting-place for Philosophers a barge was not adesirable place. It was further agreed, that if we could catch the dayboys who were the source of all our woes (for if our barge had not beenlet adrift, we could have sheered off in time), we would do to them aswe had been done by. 

By good or ill luck, we had scarcely arrived at this important decisionwhen a defiant shout from a little hill among the trees close byapprised us that we were not the only occupants of the river bank; andworse still, that whoever the strangers were, they must have beenwitnesses of our recent misfortunes--a certainty which made us feelanything but friendly. 

"Who are they?" said Langrish. 

"Suppose it's those Urbans, " said Coxhead. "I heard they were going toexcavate somewhere this way. "

"I vote we go and see, " said Trimble, who was evidently smarting not alittle. 

So we went and saw, and it was even as Coxhead had surmised; for as weapproached, shouts of--

"Who got licked with a whip?"

"What's the price of beauty?"

"Why don't you dry your clothes?" fell on our ears. 

"Yah--we dare you to come down and have your noses pulled!" shouted we. 

"We dare you to come up and have your hair curled!" shouted they. 

We accepted the invitation, and stormed the hill. The battle was shortand sharp. We were fifteen to ten, and had a grievance. I found myselfengaged with Dicky Brown, who, though he did himself credit, washampered by a scathelful of stones, which he fondly hoped might turn outto be fossils, on his back. I grieve to say I made mincemeat of Dickyon this occasion. In a few minutes the hill was ours, and the enemy infull retreat. 

We remained a short time to celebrate our victory, and then adjourned tothe school, a little solaced in our spirits. 

The day's troubles, however, were not over, for at the door of Sharpe'shouse, reinforced by half a dozen recruits, stalked the Urbans, thirsting for reprisals, and longing to wipe out scores. 

Then ensued a notable battle. We failed to dislodge the enemy by aforward attack, and for some time it seemed as if our flank movementswould be equally unsuccessful. At length, by a great effort, wesucceeded in cutting off a few of them from the main body, and wereapplying ourselves to the task of annihilating the rest when Tempestappeared on the scene. 

He looked fagged and harassed, and was evidently not much interested inour battle. A row was now too common a thing in Sharpe's to be anevent, and he allowed it to proceed with complete unconcern. 

Just, however, as he was taming to enter the house, Mr Jarman came up. 

It was almost the first time we had met officially since our encounterin the magistrate's room, and as with one accord we ceased hostilitiesand stared at him, one or two of the more audacious of our partyindulged in a low hiss. 

"Come in, you fellows, at once, " said Tempest, turning on his heel. 

"Wait, you boys, " said Mr Jarman, taking out his pencil. "Wait, Tempest. "

But Tempest did not wait, nor did we, but made a deliberate rush intoour house, and in less than a minute were safely stowed away in ourseveral studies, secure from all immediate arrest. 

It was an act of open rebellion such as Sharpe's had not yet venturedon. There was no excuse that any of us had not heard the order. Wehad, and had disobeyed it. And in the present instance Tempest hadheaded us. What would be the consequence?

We were not destined to know till next morning, when a notice appearedon the board stating that Mr Sharpe's house having been reported forriotous conduct and disobedience to orders, the head master would meetthe boys in the hall at eleven o'clock. 

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

HALTING BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS. 

There was no mistaking the doctor's meaning this time. Sharpe's had hada long rope, but had come to the end of it at last. I would not for theworld have confessed it at the time, but I was half glad a crisis hadcome. My conscience had smitten me more than once about my work. I hadfooled away the good chance with which I had entered Low Heath. Fellowsfar below me in scholarship had got ahead of me by force of steadyplodding, while I was wasting my time. The good resolutions which I hadbrought up with me had one by one fallen overboard, and I had beencontent enough to take my place among the rowdies without an effort. 

I had counted all through on Tempest's backing up. If he had been keenon the credit of the house, I felt I could have been so too. If he hadbeen down on me for my neglect of work, I felt I should have stuck toit. As it was, slackness reigned supreme. Tempest was slack because hewas out of humour. Pridgin was slack because he was lazy. Wales wasslack because he wanted to be in the fashion. And all of us were slackbecause our betters set us the example. It needs no little courage fora single boy to attempt to stem the drift of slackness in a schoolhouse. A dull, dogged boy like Dicky Brown might have done it; but Icould not afford to be peculiar, and therefore succumbed, against myjudgment, to the prevalent dry rot. 

Now that a crisis had come I hoped Tempest might, if not for his ownsake, for ours, pull up, and take his house in hand, as he well could doif he chose. A short conversation I overheard as I was fagging in hisstudy that morning, however, was not encouraging. 

"What's it to be, " said Wales, "a lecture or a row?"

"A row, I hope, " said Tempest wearily. 

"What's wrong, old chap?" asked Pridgin. 

"Nothing. Out of curl, that's all, " said Tempest, trying to assume alaugh. 

"You're not going to cave in to Jarman at this time of day, " said Wales, "are you?"

"Do you think it likely?" said Tempest. 

"I tell you what I don't like, " said Pridgin presently; "that's the wayCrofter's lately taken to do the virtuous. "

"That's not the worst of him, " said Wales; "but he's been chumming upwith Jarman. I've met them twice lately walking together. "

"I suppose he's got his eye on the headship of the house, " said Tempest, "when I get kicked out. "

"Look here, old chap, " responded Pridgin, looking really anxious, "it'snot to come to that, surely. It would be intolerable to have him overus. Come what will, you must stick to us. "

"All very well, " said Tempest dismally; "that's England's affair morethan mine. If knuckling under to Jarman is a condition, I'm out of it, and Crofter is welcome to it. "

This was all; and it was bad enough. When the summons to assemble inhall came, I went there in a state of dejection, feeling that the fateswere all against me, and that the new leaf I hoped for was several pagesfurther on yet. 

My fellow-Philosophers, I regret to say, neither shared in norappreciated my forebodings. 

"Look at that ass Sarah, trying to look virtuous, " said Trimble. "Justlike him, when there's a row on. "

"I'm not trying to look virtuous, " said I; "I'm sick of all these rows, though. "

"Pity you aren't sick when you're getting us into them, instead ofafter. You know you've been at the bottom of every row there's been onthis term. "

This sweeping statement was not calculated to allay my discomfort. 

"Don't tell lies, " said I. 

"No more we are. Who got us into that mess at Camp Hill Bottom? Sarahdid. Who landed us in the row about Jarman's guy? Old Sarah. Whoplayed the fool with that barge and got us all licked? Cad Sarah. Whostarted the shindy last night that's fetched us all in here? LoutSarah. Who's going to be expelled? Howling Sarah. And who'll be ajolly good riddance of bad rubbish? Chimpanzee Sarah. There you are. Make what you like of it, and don't talk to us. "

This tirade took my breath away. I knew it said more than it meant. Still, it wasn't flattering, and it taxed my affection sorely to sitquietly and hear it out. But, somehow, to-day I was too anxious andworried to care much what anybody said. 

Fortunately the entrance of the doctor, Mr Sharpe, and Mr Jarman, madefurther discussion for the time being unnecessary--and a gloomy silencefell over the assembly. 

Dr England was evidently worried. Secretly, I believe, he was boredby the whole affair, and wished Mr Sharpe and his prefects could managethe affairs of their own house. Perhaps, too, the fact that Mr Jarmanwas once more the complainant had something to do with his lack ofhumour. 

"Now, boys, " said he, "this is an unusual and unpleasant interview, andI heartily wish it were not necessary. When a whole house is reportedfor rowdiness, it shows, I'm afraid, that the sense of duty to theschool is in a bad way. This is not the first occasion this term onwhich this house has been reported, but I have previously refrained frominterfering, in the hope that the good feeling of the boys themselveswould assert itself and make any action of mine unnecessary. I am sorryit has not been so. As to the scrimmage in the quadrangle yesterday, Iam not disposed to make too much of that; at any rate, that weighs lesswith me than what I understand to have been a deliberate act ofdisobedience to the master, who quite properly interfered to restoreorder; disobedience, I am sorry to say, encouraged, if not instigated, by the head boy of the house. I hope there may be some mistake aboutthis. Will the boys who were engaged in the fight stand up?"

The Philosophers rose to a man, with a promptitude which was almostaggressive. Bother it all, why should we be backward in admitting thatwe had gone for those day boys, and "put them to bed" for once?

"I ask you boys to say whether you heard Mr Jarman tell you to waittill he spoke to you?"

"I did, sir, " said Langrish. 

"So did I, " said Trimble. 

"We all did, " said I. 

"And why did you not obey?"

"Tempest told us to come in, so we did, " said I. 

"That's right, sir, " said Coxhead. 

And the others assented. 

"Very well, " said the doctor. "Tempest, I ask you to say whether youheard Mr Jarman tell the boys to wait?"

"Yes, sir. "

"And did you tell them, in spite of that, to come in?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Why?"

"Because I'm head of the house, and I'm responsible for the order of myhouse. "

"I am glad to hear you think so, " said the doctor drily. "Have youalways been equally jealous for the order of your house this term, Tempest?"

This was a "facer, " as we all felt. Tempest flushed and glanced up atthe head master. 

"No, sir, I have not, " he said. 

The doctor was a chivalrous man, and did not try to rub in a sore. Tempest had made a damaging admission against himself, and might be leftalone to his own sense of discomfort. 

Unluckily, however, Mr Jarman stood by, and the matter could hardly beallowed to drop. 

"As regards the incident last night, " said the doctor, "you know quitewell, all of you, that no boy, even the head of his house, has the rightto set his authority against that of a master. Your conduct was aninsult to him, and requires an apology. These small boys may haveconsidered they were not doing wrong in obeying you. Tempest, but youcan plead no such ignorance. I expect you to apologise to Mr Jarman. "

A struggle evidently passed through Tempest's mind. His conscience hadbeen roused by what the doctor had said, and his manner of saying it. Had the apology been demanded for any one else but Mr Jarman, he couldhave given it, and in one word have put himself on the side of duty. But apologise to Jarman! "If Mr Jarman wants me to tell a lie, " saidhe, slowly, "I'll say I'm sorry. I can't apologise to him. "

"Come, Tempest, " said the doctor, evidently disconcerted at thisthreatened difficulty, "you must be aware of the consequences, if yourefuse to do this. "

"I know, sir, but I can't help it. I can't apologise to Mr Jarman. "

Dead silence followed, broken only by the hard breathing of thePhilosophers. The doctor twirled the tassel of his cap restlessly. MrSharpe looked straight before him through his glasses. Mr Jarmanstroked his moustache and smiled. Tempest stood pale and determined, with his eyes on the floor. 

"I shall not prolong this scene, " said the doctor at last. "For theremaining week of this term the boys concerned in yesterday'sdisturbance are forbidden to appear in the playing fields. You, Tempest, will have a day to think over your determination. Come to mein my house this time to-morrow. "

"I'd sooner it were settled now, " said Tempest respectfully anddismally. "I cannot apologise. "

"Come to me this time to-morrow, " repeated the doctor. "As to the otherboys of the house, I want you to understand that you are all concernedin the wellbeing of your house. If, as I fear, a spirit ofinsubordination is on foot, and your own proper spirit and loyalty tothe school is not enough to stamp it out, I must use methods which Ihave never had to use yet in Low Heath. It may need courage and self-sacrifice in a boy to stand up against the prevailing tone, but I trustthere is some of that left even in this misguided house. Now dismiss. "

It had been a memorable interview. The doctor might have stormed andraged, and done nothing. As it was, he had talked like a quietgentleman, and made us all thoroughly ashamed of ourselves. 

And yet, as we all of us felt, everything now depended on Tempest. Ifhe surrendered he might count on us to fall in line and make up to himfor all he had sacrificed on our behalf. If he held out, and refusedhis chance, we _too_ refused ours and went out with him! If only anyone could have brought home to him how much depended on him!

Yet who could blame him for finding it impossible to apologise toJarman, who had persecuted him all the term with a petty rancour which, so far from deserving apology, had to thank Tempest's moderation that itdid not receive much rougher treatment than it had? He might go throughthe words of apology, but it would be a farce, and Tempest was toohonest to be a hypocrite. 

There was unwonted quiet in Sharpe's house that afternoon. Fellows weretoo eagerly speculating as to the fate in store for them to venture on ariot. The Philosophers, of course, stoutly advocated a policy of "nosurrender"; but one or two of us, I happened to know, would have beenunfeignedly glad to hear that Tempest had squared matters with hispride, and left himself free to take our reform in hand. 

Tempest himself preserved a glum silence until after afternoon chapel, when he said to me, --

"Isn't this one of Redwood's evenings, youngster? I'll go with you ifyou're going. "

The Redwoods had given me an open invitation to drop in any Thursdayevening to tea and bring a friend. I had been several times with Dicky, and once, in great triumph, had taken Tempest as my guest. It had beena most successful experiment. Not only had Tempest taken the two littlegirls (and therefore their mother) by storm, but between him and Redwoodhad sprung up an unexpected friendship, born of mutual admiration andconfidence. Since then he had once repeated the visit, and to-night, tomy great satisfaction, proposed to go again. 

To me it was a miniature triumph to carry off the hero of Sharpe's fromunder the eyes of his house, and on an occasion like the present, to adestination of which he and I alone knew the secret. 

I flattered myself that, in spite of their mocking comments, thePhilosophers were bursting with envy. It is always a rare luxury to beenvied by a Philosopher; and I think I duly appreciated my blessings, and showed it in the swagger with which I marched my man under thefaggery window. 

Tempest was depressingly gloomy as we walked along, and my gentlereminder that we could not take the short cut across the playing fields, after the doctor's prohibition, but should have to walk round, did nottend to cheer him up. I half feared he would propose to walk over, indefiance of all consequences. Possibly, if he had been alone, he wouldhave done so, but on my account he made a grudging concession to law andorder. 

At the Redwoods', however, he cheered up at once. He received a royalwelcome from the little girls--in marked contrast to Miss Mamie's sulkyreception of me as the destroyer of her nice sash. Redwood himself wasdelighted to see him, and the family tea was quite a merry one. 

When we adjourned to the captain's "den" afterwards I was decidedly outof it. Indeed, it was broadly hinted to me that the little girlsdownstairs were anxious for some one to teach them "consequences"; wouldI mind?

Considering there was no game I detested more than "consequences, " andno young ladies less open to instruction than the Misses Redwood, I didnot jump at the offer. It was evident, however, Tempest and Redwoodwanted to talk, and with a vague sense that by leaving them to do so Iwas somehow acting for the benefit of Low Heath, I sacrificed myself, and sat down to assist in the usual composite stories; how, forinstance, the square Dr England met the mealy-faced Sarah (the littlegirls knew my nickname as well as the Philosophers) up a tree. He saidto her, "We must part for ever;" she (that is I) said to him, "My mashall know of this;" the consequence was that there was a row, and theworld said, "It's all up. "

In present circumstances these occult narratives were full of seriousmeaning for me, and my thoughts were far more with the two seniors abovethan with the two exacting female juniors below. However, the timepassed, and presently Tempest's "Come along, youngster, " apprised methat the hour of release had come. 

Redwood walked back with us, and from certain fragments of conversationwhich fell on my ears I was able to gather something of the result ofthe conference. 

"If it were only yourself, you know, " said Redwood, "I'd say stick out. "

"But, " said Tempest, "he knows I'm not sorry, even if I say so. "

"It's a choice between humble pie and Low Heath losing you, " said thecaptain. 

"Not much loss. "

"That's all you know. There's not a fellow we could spare less. "

They walked on in silence; then Redwood said, --

"England ought to see that Jarman rots everything the way he goes on. We'll be in a better position to get it altered if you cave in thisonce. "

"I vowed I wouldn't do it. He'll only chuckle, " said Tempest, with agroan. 

"Let him! Who cares whether Jarman chuckles or not?" retorted thecaptain. "Look here, old chap, don't you think he'd chuckle more if yougot expelled? That would be the biggest score you could give him. Takemy advice, and only give him the smallest. "

"I don't know. I'll think about it, " said Tempest. 

"Of course you will, for the sake of Low Heath. Next term we'll goahead, and the fellows will owe you more than they think. "

Here, by an odd chance, just as we came to the school gate, we met MrJarman and Crofter walking out in deep confabulation. 

I do not know if they saw us. If they did, they pretended not to havedone so, and walked on, leaving us to proceed. 

"Do you see that?" said Tempest. 

"Rather. I know what it means too. It's an extra reason why you shouldswallow your pride for once, in order to sell them. I tell you they areprobably counting on your sticking out, and nothing would disappointthem more. "

"Well, old chap, " said Tempest, as we came to our door, "it's not yourfault if I don't do it. I know you're right, but--"

"But it's a jolly bitter pill, and I wish I could swallow it for you. Good night. "

I had the sense for once to keep what I had heard to myself, and retiredto bed more hopeful that all would turn out right than I had been for aday or two. 

The next morning I was wandering about, aloof from my comrades, in thequadrangle, waiting for the bell to ring for first school, when Marple, the town bookseller, a tradesman familiar to most Low Heathens, accostedme. He was evidently not at home in the school precincts, and, with myusual modesty, I felt he had come to the right source for information. 

"Do you belong to Mr Sharpe's house, young gentleman?" said he, with arespectful nod which quite captivated me. 

"Yes. Who do you want?"

"I want to see Mr Tempest very particular. "

"Oh, he's up in his room. Wait a bit till the bell rings, and he'llcome out. "

So Mr Marple and I stopped and chatted about the holidays, which wereto begin in a day or two, and the football matches and the river. 

"You know Mr Tempest pretty well?" said he. 

"Rather; I'm his fag, you know. "

"A nice gentleman, I fancy. Pretty well off, eh?"

"Oh no. He's a swell, but his people are poor, I know. "

"Oh, indeed. Not likely to buy much in my way, eh?"

"Rather not. He's hard up as it is. It's not much good your trying tosell him anything, " said I, remembering the rumour about my friend'sindebtedness, and anxious to screen him from further debt. 

"Ah, indeed--he's in debt, is he--all round?"

"How do you know that?" said I, bristling up. "I don't expect he owesyou anything. "

Mr Marple laughed. 

"That's just what he does; that's why I've stepped over. I don't likeshowing young gents up, but--"

"Look here, " cried I aghast, "for mercy's sake, don't show him up, Marple! It's as likely as not he's to be expelled as it is; this wouldfinish him up. "

"If he's likely to be expelled, all the more reason I should get mymoney before he goes. "

"How much is it?" I gasped. 

"A matter of two pounds, " said the tradesman. 

"Look here, " said I, "I'll promise you shall be paid. Wait till thelast day of the term, do, Marple. "

Mr Marple stared at me. The security I fear was not good enough forhim. On the other hand, he probably knew that it would not be good fortrade if he were to show up a "Low Heathen. "

He took an envelope from his pocket and handed it to me. It containedTempest's bill for sundry stationery, magazines, books, postage stamps, and so on; headed "Fourth and final application. " The envelope itselfwas addressed, "Dr England, with W. Marple's respectful compliments. "

The bell rang just then, and I was so anxious to get Marple off thescene that I wildly promised anything to be rid of him, and was finallyleft, just in time, to meet Tempest unconsciously strolling across thequadrangle on his way to keep his appointment with the doctor. 

CHAPTER TWENTY. 

DEEPEST DEPTHS. 

We did not see Tempest again till the afternoon. As we most of ussurmised, he was relieving his feelings after his interview with thedoctor by a spin on the river. 

How, I wondered, had the interview gone? Had he agreed to thehumiliating condition of apologising to Mr Jarman, or had his pridebeen too much for him after all? If so, this was probably his last spinon the river. 

Had our house been Selkirk's, there would, no doubt, have been wagers onthe event. As it was, the Philosophers contented themselves withbickering. The general impression seemed to be that he had refused tosurrender. That being so, the game was up--there was no object inkeeping up appearances. 

A spirit of defiance seemed to get hold of us. We deliberately sat onthe fence of the prohibited playing fields, in the hope that Mr Jarmanor some one would see us. Trimble even went to the length of crossingit at one corner. 

What made it more trying was the conduct of the day boys, who, with anacuteness which did them credit, seemed to have discovered our delicatesituation, and resolved to make the most of it. 

They paraded the field about twenty yards from our fence, jeering at usopenly, and daring us to set foot on the turf. 

"Look at them, " said one, "hung up like a lot of washing on the palings. We'll make them cut. Let's have a scientific meeting. That'll clearthem out. "

Whereupon the Urbans ranged themselves on the grass under our noses, andcalled upon Mr Flitwick to address them on the "Treatment of Lunatics. "

This was too much. We were few in number, and the palings were hard anduncomfortable. But if they thought they were going to frighten us awayby this demonstration, they were mistaken. 

Langrish, in a loud voice, called out "Chair, " whereupon I, taking thecue, and assuming that the Philosophers were in congress, called uponMr Trimble to favour us with his oration on "Mud. "

"Oh, all serene, " said Trimble, who till that moment had had as littlenotion of his subject as I had had. "Mud is dirty lumps of stuff lyingabout on the grass, like what you see in front of you. It has neitherbrains nor sense. It's a vile thing to look at, and worse to touch. Ifyou--"

"--If you, " here broke in Mr Flitwick, "want to see what lunaticsreally are, you should look on the palings of some of our school playingfields. If you happen to see a row of squinney-eyed, ill-dressed mules, with large boots and turn-up noses, and afraid of their lives to moveoff where they are, those are the prize lunatics. I have pleasure inexhibiting a few choice specimens collected from various sources. Theone thing--"

"--The one thing about mud is, it daren't come within reach of you, "continued Trimble, getting a little random in his statements, "for fearof getting one in the eye. If you want a sample--"

"--There's one, " shouted Flitwick, interrupting our orator with afragment of mother earth in his face. 

Of course it was all up after that. Doctor or no doctor, we couldn'tsit by and see our treasurer assaulted. So we hurled ourselves on thefoe, regardless of consequences, and a deadly fight ensued. Some of themore cautious of our number were lucky enough to be able to drag theirmen off the prohibited field and engage them on the right side of thefence. 

I was not so lucky--indeed, I was doubly unlucky. For not only was myadversary my dear friend Dicky Brown, whom I loved as a brother, but heedged further and further afield as the combat went on, so that at thelast we were cut off from the main body and left to fight our duelconspicuously in the open. 

Dicky was not a scientific pugilist, but he had an awkward way ofclosing in with you and getting you round the middle just at the momentthat his left foot got round behind your right calf. And it grieves meto say that, although I boasted of far more talent in the exercise ofthe fistic art than he did, he had me on my back on the grass just asMr Sharpe of all persons walked by. 

"What are you two doing?" demanded the master, stopping short. 

"Fighting, sir, " said the stalwart Dicky, "and I licked him. "

"Why are you fighting?"

"Because Flitwick shied mud at Trimble, " said I. 

The reason did not seem to appeal to Mr Sharpe, who replied, --

"You heard the doctor's orders yesterday, Jones iv. , about keeping offthe playing field?"

"Yes, sir, " said I, realising for the first time that I was well out inthe middle of the field, and that the rest of my comrades were lookingon from a safe distance. 

"Come to me after school for exemplary punishment. You are the mostdisorderly boy in the house, and it is evident a lenient punishment isno good in your case. "

"Please, sir, " said the loyal Dicky, "I lugged him on a good part of theway. "

"No, you didn't, " snarled I--taking this as a taunt, whereas it wasintended as a "leg-up"--"I came of my own accord. "

"Very well, " said Mr Sharpe. "You will come to me, Jones iv. , of myaccord"--and he walked away. 

I was reckless and defiant, and deaf to Dicky's sympathy. 

"I don't care, " said I. "It was a good job for you he came up. Ishould have licked you hollow. "

"No, you wouldn't, old chap; I had you over twice, " said Dicky. 

"Come outside and finish it out. "

So we adjourned to the other side of the palings and finished it out inthe presence of the assembled Urbans and Philosophers. And I grieve tosay once more Dicky had me on my back. 

The wrath of my comrades was even more grievous to bear than therejoicings of the enemy. I was promptly withdrawn from the fray as abad lot, and had it not been for the opportune bell, should probablyhave been kicked all round. 

At any rate, I went in disgusted with myself, with Low Heath, witheverybody. What was the use of keeping it up? Tempest, ten to one, wasexpelled. Dicky Brown, once my inferior, could put me on my back. ThePhilosophers hated me. Mr Sharpe had marked me down for exemplarypunishment, and publicly denounced me as the worst boy in the house. And all this in a single term. What, I wondered, would it be like, if Iremained, at the end of a second term?

I looked dismally into Tempest's study--he was not back. Pridgin wasin, but did not want me. The faggery just now was impossible. I neverfelt more lonely and miserable in my life. 

I was wandering down the passage, with my jacket flung over my shoulderand my shirt sleeves still tucked up, when the voice of Crofter stoppedme. 

"Look here, " said he, "the contents of your pocket may be interesting toyou, but we don't want them littered about the passage. Here, catchhold, " and he held out a handful of loose letters. "Why, what's thematter? How blue you look! Has any one been hurting you?"

"Rather not. I've been licking a young cad, that's all. "

"Well, you don't look as if you enjoyed it, anyhow. Has Tempest comeback?"

"No--probably he's expelled, " said I, determined to have things asmiserable as possible. 

"I sincerely hope not, " said Crofter, in a tone which quite softened meto him. "He doesn't like me, but I'd be sorry if he left, all thesame. "

"He thinks you and Jarman would like to see him kicked out. That's theone reason why he might stay on. "

Crofter laughed sweetly. 

"What a notion! Why, I've had a good mind to go to England myself andstick up for him. "

"It's a good job you haven't, " said I. 

"What I'm afraid is, that he is worried about other things. I hope, bythe way, you never said anything about what I told you the other day. "

"No, " said I, not quite candidly. For I had tried to tell Tempest, buthe would not let me. 

"That's right. I hope he's cleared his debts off by now. "

"I--I don't think he has, " stammered I. 

"Really! It's a pity. The doctor would be much more likely to be downon him for being in debt than--"

He pulled up suddenly, as Tempest at that moment walked up. He musthave heard the last few words; and if it required looks of guilt andconfusion on my part to convince him we had been speaking of him, Ithink I gave him proof positive. 

He had apparently intended to summon me to his study. But, as he sawwith whom I was conferring, and overheard the subject of ourconversation, he thought better of it, and with lowering face stalkedaway. 

I wished I was dead then! Something told me I had lost my friend, andthat no amount of explanation could do away with the barrier which hadsuddenly been erected between us. 

"Awkward, " said Crofter. "It's a good job we were talking no harm ofhim. "

"He won't fancy our talking about him at all, " said I. 

"I suppose we've as much right to talk about him as any one else. "

"He'll be awfully down on me, I know, " said I miserably. 

"All I can say is, if he is, you're a young fool if you care two straws. Tempest's a good fellow; but he's rather a way of not allowing a fellowto have a soul of his own. "

This failed to console me. I made one effort to see Tempest andexplain, but he was occupied with his books, and did not even deign tonotice my presence in his study. 

Later on in the evening all speculation as to the result of themorning's interview was set at rest. An unusual summons came toSharpe's to meet the doctor in our hall. 

We assembled uncomfortably and with sore spirits. The worry of thewhole business was telling on us, and we heartily hoped, while weclamoured for no surrender in words, that Tempest would disappoint usfor once. 

The doctor came presently, looking very grave, and accompanied by MrJarman. From the head master's face we concluded at once that all wasup. But to our surprise he said, --

"I am glad to say, in reference to the matter I met you boys aboutyesterday, that Tempest has taken a proper sense of his duty, and hasundertaken to apologise for his conduct to Mr Jarman. That being so, Tempest, you will please take this opportunity of expressing yourregret. "

Tempest flushed as he rose in obedience to the doctor's summons. It wasevidently, as Redwood had said, "a bitter pill, " and had he been a lessbrave fellow, he could hardly have swallowed it. As it was, even theknowledge that the welfare of the entire house was somehow dependent onhis submission was scarcely able to break down his pride. 

He advanced to Mr Jarman more like one who comes to administer athrashing than ask for pardon, and after eyeing him almost fiercely fora moment, summoned his self-control sufficiently to say hoarsely, --

"I apologise, sir. "

Mr Jarman bit his lips. It was not the triumph he had expected. Indeed the whole manner of it was such as to hurt instead of soothe hisfeelings. 

"This is hardly an apology, " said he to the doctor. 

"I trust, Tempest, it means that you regret your action?"

It was an awkward question. Tempest had gone further than any oneexpected, and his silence now reminded the doctor what the cost hadbeen. 

"I think, " said he, not waiting for a reply to his own question, "Tempest has fulfilled his pledged--not cordially, I am sorry to say, but sufficiently. "

"Very well, sir, " said Mr Jarman, "I accept his apology for what it isworth, which seems very little. "

"Now, I regret to say, " continued the head master, producing a letterwhich made my heart jump to my mouth, "I have a more serious matter tospeak about. I wish heartily what we have just heard had been the endof this painful interview. But it is necessary to refer to somethingdifferent--a very serious offence against rules. It concerns you, Tempest. Is it a fact that you are in debt to some of the tradesmen?"

Tempest changed colour again and replied, --

"Yes, sir, I am sorry to say I am. "

I held on tight to my desk. This was a finishing touch surely, and I, if any one, felt myself the criminal. 

"This letter, addressed to me, but containing a bill for more than twopounds owing by you, part of it since last term, has been left at myhouse--I presume by the tradesman to whom it is due. Come here and lookat it, Tempest. "

Tempest obeyed. 

"Is it a fact that you are in debt to this extent?"

"Yes, sir--more. "

"You are aware--"

Here I could stand it no longer, but sprang to my feet and shouted, --

"Please, sir, it's my fault!"

Everybody turned to me in amazement, as well they might. 

"Your fault, Jones iv. ?--come forward and explain. "

"I mean, " said or rather shouted I, speaking while I walked up the room, "it's my fault you got that bill, sir. I don't know how you got it, butit wasn't meant to get to you, really. I must have dropped it. I--I--was going--to try--to get it paid for him, sir. Really--"

Tempest gave me a glare that knocked all the spirit out of me. Whatbusiness had I, it seemed to demand, to meddle in his private affairs?

I felt I had done him a real bad turn by my clumsiness, but had not thewit to avoid making bad worse. 

"Yes, sir, I told Marple--"

"I purposely refrained from mentioning names, Jones iv. ; why can you notdo so too?"

"I told him to keep it dark, and got him to give it to me. I--I knewTempest hadn't enough money to pay it--and--and--"

An exclamation of anger from Tempest cut me short, and I was sentignominiously back to my place. 

"Tempest, " said the head master very sternly, "send me in a list of allyou owe before you go to bed to-night, and understand that, unless allis paid by Friday when we break up, you will not be allowed to return toLow Heath after the holidays. You must cease in any case to retain theheadship of the house, even for the few days of the term that remain. You, I understand. Crofter, come next in form order; you will act ashead boy in the meantime. "

In the midst of my anguish I could see the look of meek resignation onCrofter's face, and that of quiet satisfaction on Mr Jarman's. AtTempest I dared not look, or at my fellow-Philosophers. 

What had I done? What was to become of me? How could I get out of it?These were the three questions which set my poor brain spinning as Iwandered off alone to the remotest corner of the quadrangle, and as, later on, I lay miserably awake in my bed. 

I had done my friend about as much harm as I possibly could. I may nothave meant it. But who cares what a fellow means, so long as he actslike a cad? As to what was to become of me, I had had a taste of thatalready. The faggery door had been locked against me, and a missiveshoved under the bottom had apprised me of my fate in that quarter. 

"To Beast Sarah. 

"Take notice that you are kicked out of the Philosophers, and if youdare show your abominable face within a mile of them you'll get it allover with rulers. It has been resolved by Mr Langrish and seconded byMr Trimble, and passed by all the lot, that you be and are herebykicked whenever any one sees you. Any one not kicking you will belammed. It is also resolved that the faggery be fumigated anddisinfected during the holidays, and that any chap seen talking to yoube refused to be let in till he has been vaccinated. You are about thelowest, meanest, vilest, abominablest, unmitigatedest sneak going. Three cheers for poor old Tempest, and down with girls' schools andwasherwomen!"

This fiery document was formally signed by every Philosopher in thehouse, together with a particular word of opprobrium addressed to me byeach of my former colleagues. 

I was not long in realising that I was an outcast in Sharpe's. No onewould look at me, still less speak to me. Pridgin ordered me off like adog. Wales slammed his door in my face. When I appeared in thepreparation hall, a long hiss saluted me, even though Mr Sharpe waspresent. Even outside fellows seemed to have heard of my crime, andlooked askance or gave me a wide berth. I can truly say that I foundmyself the most miserable boy in Low Heath, and only longed for the endof the term to come, that I might shake the dust of the hateful placefrom my feet, and drop out of the sight of a school full of enemies. 

Indeed, as I lay awake that night I had serious thoughts of making offthere and then. If I had only had my boots, I think I might have doneso; but they were in the blacking-room; and my desperation drew the lineat walking off in my bare feet. 

I was sitting up in bed, half whimpering with headache and misery, whena light appeared at the end of the dormitory. It was Crofter, in hisnew capacity of head of the house, taking his rounds before turning in. The sight of him brought home to me the injury I had done, not only toTempest, but the whole house. For it was my fault, and mine only, thatCrofter was at this moment captain of Sharpe's. 

To my surprise and alarm, when he came up to my bed he stopped short, and drawing a letter from his pocket, put it into my hand, saying--

"Put that under your pillow till the morning. "

It was more than nature could do to sleep with a mystery like this onthe top of my misery. I listened to the clock as it struck the hoursthrough the night, and thought the day would never come. Indeed, thegetting-up bell had sounded before the winter sun struggled in throughthe dormitory window. 

Then by the light of a candle I seized the missive from under my pillowand tore it open. 

A five-pound note fell out, and with it the following letter. 

"You have made a nice mess of it, and ought to be happy. The least youcan do is to try to make things right for Tempest. Call round on thefollowing six tradesmen (giving the six names, one of which was Marple)early to-morrow, and pay Tempest's bill at each, and bring home thereceipts. You needn't mention who sent you. Send the receipts to me, and if Tempest asks any questions, tell him you paid the money byrequest of a friend. 

"W. Crofter. "

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. 

I AM ADVISED TO LIE LOW. 

My first impulse on reading Crofter's letter was to jump for joy. Itmeant that Tempest would stay at Low Heath, and that I was to be allowedto assist in keeping him there. 

But my second thoughts were more of a surprise than pleasure. Crofterwas a mystery to me. His fellow-seniors disliked him, and warned meagainst him. But, as far as I could see, he was not as bad as they madehim out, and certainly never said anything as bad about them as theysaid about him. 

What could be his object now if it was not a disinterested one? Hewould be permanent captain of the house if Tempest left, and yet he wasdoing the very thing that would keep Tempest at school. Tempest hadopenly insulted him during the term, and yet here he was helping hisenemy out of a very tight place. I knew he was well off, so probably hecould afford the £5; but at the end of the term pocket-money was not aplentiful commodity. He said nothing about being paid back, too; surelyhe did not mean to make Tempest a free gift of this magnificent amount!The more I thought it over the more I felt Crofter was a brick, and hadbeen scandalously misunderstood. He seemed to me a true type of thevirtuous man, who, when struck on one cheek, turns the other, and whenrobbed of his coat offers his cloak too. I only hoped Tempest mightknow what he owed him. In short, in the brief time it took me to dress, I had worked myself up into a state of enthusiasm on the subject ofCrofter. 

As to the mystery of Mr Marple's letter having got into the doctor'shands, no doubt I had been careless and dropped the compromisingenvelope, which some foolish but honest person (it did not occur to meat the time it might have been Crofter himself) had picked up anddropped in the head master's letter-box, supposing he was doing a veryclever thing. Tempest would not be likely to allow me to explain, whichwas hard on me, and made it all the more virtuous on my part to assistnow in putting things right for him. Luckily for him, he had friends atLow Heath in spite of himself. 

When I encountered Crofter in the morning, I requested him, with aknowing look of intelligence, to give me an _exeat_ into the town to dosome shopping. It was probably the first recognition he had received ofhis temporary authority as head of the house, and he made no difficultyin granting my request. 

I made my way first of all to Marple's. 

"Oh, about that bill you gave me. How much was it?"

"Two pounds and sixpence, young gentleman. "

"I said I'd see it paid for you, didn't I?"

"You did. I don't want to show up--"

"All right, you needn't. Here's the money; give me the change, please, and a receipt. "

Mr Marple opened his eyes very wide at the sight of a five-pound notewithin three days of the end of term. "I--I hope it's all right, " saidhe, hesitatingly. "You needn't have it if you don't want, " said I, mounting my high horse. 

"I'm sure I'm much obliged to you, young gentleman, " said the tradesman, giving the note a professional twitch, and proceeding to count out thechange from his till. "I shall always be pleased to attend to anylittle orders from Mr Tempest or you. "

"You can make out the receipt to Tempest, " said I; "I expect he won'tget much more here. "

"Don't say that. I'm sure no offence was meant. "

It was a delicious sensation to feel myself master of the situation likethis. I could have bullied Marple if I had liked, but I resolved not tobe too hard on him. 

"I'm sure I'm much obliged, " said he, "for all your trouble. Have youseen these pretty little pencil-sharpers? They are quite new. I shallbe pleased if you will accept one, young gentleman. "

A pencil-sharpener was the very thing I wanted. All the term I had beenwrestling with a blunt penknife, which no sooner uncovered the lead atthe end of a pencil than it broke it off. So in a weak moment Iaccepted the gift, and forfeited my advantage. 

From Marple's I proceeded to the confectioner's, where a score of nearlya pound stood against Tempest. Here, again, I experienced the sweets ofbeing treated with distinguished consideration, and being asked topartake of a strawberry ice (how Rammage, by the way, continued to havestrawberry ices in the middle of December I have never yet clearlyunderstood) while the receipt was being made out. 

Mr Winget, the hatter, rather disappointed me by offering me nothingmore than his sincere thanks for the settlement of his little bill. Hemight at least, I thought, have offered me a mourning hatband or a newschool ribbon. His bill, however, was only five shillings, so probablythe profit did not permit of any gratuitous allowance in recognition ofmy distinguished services. 

I was consoled, however, by Mr Ringstead, the games man, who presentedme with a net-bag for holding tennis balls, and urged me, whenever Iwanted any little thing in the way of repairs to bats, or fresh spikesto my running shoes, to let him know. 

It was all very pleasant, and I grieve to say that the shady side of allthis petty bribery and corruption never once occurred to my simple mind. 

I returned to school covered with self-satisfaction, and virtuouslyclutching in my hand half-a-crown, the final change out of the "fiver. "This in due course I put in an envelope, together with the batch ofreceipts, and laid on Crofter's table after morning school, with thelaconic message under the flap, "All right, T. J. Iv. "

I was far too knowing to let out my secret to the Philosophers, whoseagitation and indignation at Tempest's probable expulsion knew no boundsand somewhat amused me. 

"Look here, Sarah, " said Langrish, as I entered for the first time aftermy disgrace of the previous day--I knew my comrades well enough to besure they would like to see me--"we all know you're about thebeastliest, howlingest cad in Low Heath; so that's all right. "

"I'm glad you think so. "

"Yes, and you've been told to clear out, as it's your fault Tempest'sexpelled. "

"Is it? That's all you know, " said I. 

"Yes, and you're kicked out of the Philosophers, and we're going toinvite Dicky Brown to join us. _He's_ a decent chap. "

This was rather a blow. 

"I thought no town-boys were eligible. "

"No cads are; that's why you're out of it. "

"Look here--" said I. 

"We're not going to look here. You can cut and go, and sit on thestairs. We don't want you in here, do we, you chaps?"

"Rather not, unless we've got our kicking boots on. "

"All right, " said I, feeling I must play one or two of my trumps. "Isha'n't tell you what I was going to. "

"Pooh, we know all about it, " said Coxhead. But it was plain by the waythey had all pricked their ears they did not. 

"Oh, if you know, it's all right. But you don't know the latest. "

"We don't want to, unless it's that old Tempest has got off. "

"That's just what it is, " said I triumphantly. 

"Good old Sarah! how do you know?"

"Never mind, it's a secret; but it's a fact, honour bright. "

"What, has he paid all his bills?"

"They're all paid, I know that. "

"I suppose, " said Langrish, "as that motion about Sarah being kicked outwasn't properly seconded, it's off, isn't it?"

"Does any gentleman second the motion?" said Coxhead, glancing roundthe assembled Philosophers. 

No one seconded it. 

"Jolly lucky shave for you, young Sarah, " said Coxhead. 

"Thanks awfully, " said I. 

"We may as well divide up the pool now?" suggested Warminster. 

With a generosity which was really touching, the Philosophers hadclubbed together the shattered fragments of their term's pocket-money toassist Tempest in his financial troubles. They had done itungrudgingly, nay enthusiastically, and it was not against them that theenthusiasm remained now as each one unexpectedly received back hisPhilosopher's mite from the depths of the kindly "pool. "

It is all very well keeping a secret like mine for twenty-four hours. It was an effort, but I did it, and prevailed on my comrades to keep ittoo. It was even harder work to prevail upon them as a matter of policyto accept the temporary supremacy of Crofter in the house. Nothingwould induce them to refrain from cheering Tempest (much to hisdispleasure) on every possible occasion. It made it awkward for mesometimes when this happened in Crofter's presence; for as things nowwere in Sharpe's, a cheer for the old captain meant a hoot at the new;and I felt that Crofter, did the fellows only know all, did not deservetheir resentment. 

After forty-eight hours I could not restrain myself any longer. It wasnot fair to myself, or Crofter, or Low Heath, that every one shouldsuppose Tempest was to be expelled when he really was not. So, withsome misgivings, I decided to put myself in his way and break theagreeable news to him, and so have everything cleared up before the endof term. 

It was not difficult to find an excuse. I had not been to Tempest'srooms since our unlucky quarrel, and had been suffering inconvenienceever since by the fact that my Latin Gradus was there. On the last daybut one of the term, therefore, I developed a burning desire to consultmy missing handbook, and must needs go in search of it. 

Tempest was sitting, miserably enough, before the fire, with his feet onthe fender and his hands up to the back of his head as I entered. Itwas not till I was well in the room and had closed the door that heturned round and saw me. 

I thought at first he meant to fly at me, his face clouded so angrily. But it changed to a look of contempt as he said, --

"Well?"

"Tempest, I'm awfully sorry, really I am, but--"

"Don't let us have any of that. If I thought you'd meant it, I shouldprecious soon know what to do. You've done me about the worst turn afellow could, and if you weren't a conceited young ass it would be someuse thrashing you. As it is, somebody else may do that when I'm gone. "

The wretchedness of his tone quite touched me. I forgot my anger andsense of resentment, and all the old affection and loyalty came backwith a rush. How could I ever have imagined a fellow like Crofter wasworthy to hold a candle to my old Dux?

"Really, Tempest, " began I, losing my head and blundering I scarcelyknew whither, "when you saw me talking to Crofter--" He uttered an angryexclamation. 

"There, now, shut up about your friend Crofter. I don't want to hearabout him. "

"He's not my friend, Tempest; he's--he's yours. "

He wheeled round in his chair and laughed bitterly. 

"It's a queer time to joke, " said he, with a laugh that cut me through. 

"It's no joke, Tempest. You don't know what he's done for you. "

"Don't I? I fancy I do. "

"About the bills, " said I, faltering, "you know. "

"Ah I don't come here to tell me about that. "

"It was all of his own accord he paid them. "

"He what?" shouted Tempest, springing from his chair and facing round. 

"Paid them, you know; at least, I paid them for him. "

"You? Paid?" and he caught me by the collar and shook me like a puppy. 

"You said you knew, " gasped I. 

"Paid my bills! You say that blackguard had the cheek to--"

"He got me to do it; it was his money, though. "

He groaned as if some one had wounded him. A crimson flush of shame andmortification overspread his face, and for a moment he stared at mespeechless. 

Then he pulled himself together and strode out of the room. Utterlybewildered and half terrified, I followed him. What had I done tooffend him? Had all the trouble of the term turned his head?

To my alarm he made straight for Crofter's study. No one was there. Heturned and saw me. 

"Tell Crofter I want him at once. "

I departed with my heart in my mouth. At the foot of the staircase Imet Crofter. 

"Tempest wants to see you, " said I; "he sent me to--to ask you to come. "

"He doesn't know?" inquired Crofter. 

"Yes--I told him--I--I thought I ought to let him know. " Crofterlaughed his sweet laugh. 

"If I had wanted it known all over Low Heath, " said he, "I could hardlyhave done better than tell you to keep it a secret. I'd much sooner hehad not known. However--where is he?"

"In your study, I think. "

I felt constrained to follow. Crofter evidently was expecting to be therecipient of an outburst of effusive gratitude. I had not the courageto disabuse him. 

He walked pleasantly and graciously into his study, where Tempest stood, flushing and biting his lips, awaiting him. "Is this true what thatyoungster says, that you've had the--that you've paid bills of mine?"

"I'm sorry he told you, Tempest. I thought it might get you out of adifficulty, and I--"

"And you expect me to thank you! Take that, for daring to meddle in myaffairs!"

And he struck Crofter on the cheek--not a hard blow, but one which sentthe recipient reeling across the room with astonishment. 

For a moment I expected a fight. Crofter, however, pale, but smilingstill, declined the challenge. 

"You'll be sorry, I'm sure, " said he, as coolly as he could. "I onlywanted to do you a good turn, and--"

"I'm sorry already, " said Tempest, who had already gathered himselftogether. "I hoped you'd fight like a man. As you're afraid to, I'msorry I touched you. "

"I see nothing to fight about, " said Crofter. "I don't see what thereis to be angry about. "

Tempest waited motionless for a few uncomfortable moments, in the hopethat Crofter would pluck up spirit to accept the challenge. But, asCrofter only smiled, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room. As he passed me, he beckoned me imperiously to follow him. I did so interror. 

He put a piece of paper and a pen before me. 

"Write down there an account of every bill you paid, and the amount. "

I obeyed--my memory fortunately served me for the task. 

"Now go. You've had the satisfaction of seeing me make an ass of myselfin striking that cad--he's not worth it. You may go and tell him I'msorry if you like. As for you, I don't want to see any more of you. Goto your captain, and leave me alone. "

And he flung himself miserably into his chair, leaning forward with hishead on his hands, and apparently indifferent whether I stayed or went. 

I went, leaving him thus. And the memory of him sitting there hauntedme all that night and for weeks to come. 

When, next day, the news went round that Tempest had escaped expulsion, the general delight was tempered with amazement at the rumour whichaccompanied it, that he owed his escape to Crofter. No one but Crofterhimself could have put the latter story into circulation, and to any oneknowing the two seniors as well as I did, it was obvious that what hadcompleted the humiliation of one had been the crowning triumph of theother. 

Crofter could not have avenged himself for the insults of the term moreeffectively; and Tempest's proud nature could not have suffered abitterer wound than to know that he had been put under an obligation inspite of himself, and without the possibility of preventing it, by hisworst enemy. 

The ordinary "Sharper" could hardly be expected to trouble himself aboutquestions of motive. It was sufficient for him that his hero was saved, and that the credit of the popular act which saved him belonged toCrofter. 

Consequently both were cheered equally when they appeared in public, andof the two Crofter accepted his popularity with a far better grace thanhis mortified adversary. 

But it was all very miserable to me as I slunk home that afternoon inthe train. All the hopes of the wonderful term had been disappointed. I was a recognised dunce and idler at Low Heath. I had lost my bestfriend and sold myself to his enemy. My self-respect was at a low ebb. I knew that in a post or two would come a report which would bring tearsto my mother's eyes, and cause my guardian to grunt and say, "I expectedas much. " The worst of it was, I could not get it out of my head yetthat I was rather a fine young fellow if only people knew it, and thatmy misfortunes were more to blame for the failure of the term than myfaults. 

To my relief a letter came early in the holidays from Dicky Brown'speople, asking me to spend the last two weeks with them, I jumped at it, for in my present miserable frame of mind even home was dismal. 

But when I found myself back at Low Heath, installed in Dicky's quietlittle family circle, I was almost sorry I had come. For Dicky was allhigh spirits and jubilation. He had won a form prize; everything hadgone swimmingly for him. The Urbans looked up to him; the head masterhad patted him on the back; the Redwoods had taken a fancy to him. Noone thought of calling him by a feminine nickname. 

"I think Low Heath's a ripping place, " said he, as we strolled past thegate of the empty quadrangle in one of our holiday rambles. "I'm jollyglad we got kicked out of Dangerfield, ain't you?"

"Middling, " said I; "the fact is, Dicky, you may as well know it, butI'm rather sick of this place. "

"Hullo!" said he, looking at me, "why, I thought you were having such ahigh old time. "

"I--I've come a bit of a howler, Dicky;" here I gulped ominously, muchto Dicky's concern. "I've fooled things rather, you know. " I was infor my confession now, and gave the penitent horse his head. "I'm jollymiserable, Dicky, that's all about it, and wish I was dead, don't youknow, and that sort of thing. "

"What's up, old chappie?" said Dicky, taking my arm, and evidently in afright lest I should compromise myself by breaking down on the spot. "Come down by the willows; it's rather muddy, but it's quieter. "

So we ploughed through the mud under the willows, and I let out on Dickyall that was in my heart. I'm sure he thought it a lot of bosh, but hewas too kind to say so, and hung on to my arm, and never oncecontradicted me when I called myself a fool. 

"You have rotted it a bit, " remarked he, when the story was complete. "Never mind, old chap, it can't be helped. You'll worry through allright. "

This was true comfort. If Dicky had been a prig like me, he would havetried to talk to me like a father, and driven me crazy. It made all thedifference that he understood me, and yet believed in me a little. 

"It strikes me, " said he, with refreshing candour, "you fancy yourself abit too much, Tommy. I'd advise you to lie low a bit, and it will allcome round. "

"That's just exactly what Tempest said to me the first day of term, "said I, with a groan. 

"There you are, " said he; "bless you, you're not going to get done overone wretched term, are you? I wouldn't if I were you. "

"But all the chaps are down on me. "

"What do you care?" said he, with a snort. "Who cares twopence aboutthe lot of them--chaps like them too? You're a cut better than thatlot, I fancy--ought to be, anyhow. "

What balm it all was to my wounds! What miles of mud we ploughedthrough that afternoon I and how, as the water gradually leaked into myboots, my heart rose out of them, and got back somehow to its properplace, and enabled me to look at things in their proper light. I thinkDicky, little as he knew it, was sent by God to help me pull myselftogether, and I shall always think better of him for his blunt, genuineencouragement that day. 

On our way back he pulled up at Redwood's door. 

"Let's see if he's in, " said he; "he won't mind. "

"All right, " said I, beginning to quail again a little, and yetdetermined to go through with the whole business. 

Redwood was in, mending a pair of skates, in anticipation of a day ortwo's frost before the holidays were over. 

"Look here, Redwood, " said Dicky, determined to make things easy for me. "Old Jones minimus is in the blues. He's been fooling it rather thisterm, you know, but he's a bit sick of it, and we thought you'd like toknow, didn't we, young Jones minimus?"

"Yes, if you don't mind, Redwood, " said I. 

"Wait a bit--tea's just ready. We'll have ours up here, " said thecaptain. 

Over tea Dicky trotted out my troubles second-hand to our host, appealing to me every now and then to confirm his statement that I'drather "mucked" it over this and that, and so on. 

Redwood nibbled away at his tea, looking up now and then with a friendlynod to show he agreed with all that was said about me. 

When all was said, he remarked--

"I wouldn't worry, youngster, if I were you. It's been a poor show lastterm, but you'll pull yourself together right enough. Take my advice, and lie low a bit, that's the best thing for your complaint. "

"Why, " said I, "that's just exactly what Tempest said to me. "

"There you are again, " broke in Dicky, cutting himself a hunch of cake. 

Presently Redwood began to "draw" me on the subject of Tempest, andlooked rather blank when I told him of the dismal circumstances in whichthe term had closed at Sharpe's. However, he did not favour Dicky andme with much comment on the matter, and finally got us to help himsharpen his skates and talk about other things. 

I went to bed that night at Dicky's more easy and hopeful than I hadbeen for weeks, and felt half-impatient for term to begin again, so thatI might put into practice the new and trebly-patent specific of lyinglow. 

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. 

PUTTING ON THE BRAKE. 

The holidays went by rapidly enough. I tore myself away from Dicky'sconsoling companionship three days from the end, and rushed home to seemy mother. I wonder what she thought of the difference a couple ofweeks had made in me? When I started to Dicky's I had been limp, dejected, and down on my luck. Now she found me chirpy, and with astiff upper lip. She did not make remarks, but I could see how relievedshe was. 

My mother was not the person to take a mean advantage of me, or get meinto a corner to lecture me. Rather not! She took me for what I was, and let me see how she loved me. That was the proper sort of help forme. In some ways she made less of me than usual, but I could see whyshe did that; she saw I wanted letting alone, and she did it, bless her!Only on the last evening, a Sunday, as we walked back from church, shesaid--

"Are you glad or sorry to be going back to-morrow, Tom?"

"Sorry for some things--glad for others. I fooled a bit last term, youknow, mother. "

"Ah, well, sonny, it's part of the lessons of school to find out ourmistakes now and then. It was all new to you at first. I expect youtried to do too much, you know. "

"I know--you mean I'd best lie low a bit, mother. "

"Yes. I know what you mean, " said she. 

"There you are!" exclaimed I, staggered by this new coincidence, "that'swhat every chap has said. I'll do my best, really, mother; only it'sjolly hard. Don't be awfully sorry if I don't get right all at once;I'll try, you know. "

"You can't do more than your best, sonny dear. "

"Redwood says, " continued I, "that I shall probably tool about more orless to the end of my time. It's in my line, he says; but he ratherbacks me to pull myself together for all that. "

"So do I, Tom. And the best friend you have does so too. "

My journey next day was very different from the strange journey of aterm ago. I had neither tan boots nor square-topped hat nor lavendergloves; and I could afford to smile with Langrish (who joined me _enroute_) at some of the poor little greenhorns on their way to make theirentry into Low Heath. 

How different it was, too, to be hailed by half a dozen voices from thetop of the omnibus at the station and told to hop up beside them! Andhow jolly to ride in triumph up Bridge Street, exchanging shouts withfamiliar passengers on the way, or uttering defiant war-whoops at theday boys!

And how jolly to tumble in at Sharpe's door once more, and slap oneanother on the back, and crowd up into the old familiar faggery, andhear all the old chaff and slang, interspersed with stories of theholidays, and second-hand Christmas jokes!

And how jolly to hear the organ again in the chapel, and the prayers, with friends all round you; and finally, when the day was over, tuck upagain in the little cubicle, and hear your chum's voice across thepartition droning more and more sleepily, till finally you and itdropped off together!

One of the last to arrive during the day was Tempest, who had run fromthe station, and came in flushed with exercise, but grave and tightabout the lips. The ovation he received from the Philosophers scarcelydrew a smile from him, and when he reached his own study he slammed thedoor ominously and cheerlessly behind him. We none of us liked it. 

"What's it to be?" said Coxhead. "Is he to be cock of the house thisterm, or has he chucked it up?"

That was the question which was agitating us all. Till the form orderswere posted to-morrow no one could tell. Crofter, we knew, had beendoing all he knew to get ahead, and considering the slack way in whichTempest had let things go all last term, it seemed very much as if hemight succeed. 

If he did, our duty would be a difficult one. Crofter had a claim on usfor having saved Tempest from being expelled, and we could hardly refuseto own him should he come out cock of the house. On the other hand. Tempest was the man of our heart, and our tender imagination failed topicture him in any secondary position in Sharpe's, --secondary toCrofter, above all other things. 

The day closed with one curious incident. 

Langrish came to me after supper in a state of wrathful perturbation. 

"Look here, young Sarah, " said he, "are you Tempest's fag or not?That's all about it. "

"I don't know, " said I; "I was, but he told me--"

"He told you he didn't want a cad like you hanging about his place. Allvery well--that doesn't follow I'm his fag as well as Crofter's. Here, catch hold; you've got to take this to Crofter. _I'm_ not going to takeit--it means a licking most likely, and I don't see why I'm to be let infor it. "

He handed me an envelope, evidently containing coin, addressed"Crofter, " in Tempest's well-known writing. 

I did not relish the commission, for I had my guess as to the contentsof the missive. Curiosity, however, prompted me to take it and proceedto Crofter's study. 

"Well, youngster, " said Crofter, "turned up again? Have you seenTempest yet?"

"Yes--he sent this, " said I. 

Crofter took the envelope and opened it. Five sovereigns and a half-sovereign dropped out on the table. No letter accompanied the money, but its meaning was clear enough. Crofter's brow contracted, and hishabitual smile deserted him for once. 

"What is this? Some mistake, " said he. 

"It's what he owes you, " suggested I. 

"I suppose so; but that was only £4 17 shillings 6 pence. "

"Perhaps the rest is something for yourself, " I remarked, making myselfscarce in time to escape the task of returning the change. 

Bother it! Crofter must square this part of the business up with hisenemy. _I_ didn't want to be dragged any more into it. 

There was a rush for the house board early next morning to learn ourfate as to the captaincy of Sharpe's. 

"Whew!" said Langrish, as we reached it; "bracketed. "

So it was. Tempest's and Crofter's names were braced together at thehead of the list. 

"That's a nice go! I suppose they'll have to go halves. All the worsefor us. "

"I should think, as Tempest was captain last term, he'll go on againthis, " I said. 

"He wasn't captain when term ended; Crofter was. "

"I vote they fight it out, " said Warminster. "Two to one on thewinner. "

"It would save trouble if they made Pridgin head; he's third man up. "

"Pridgin!" The easy-going owner of the name was spared something by notbeing present to hear the amused contempt with which the suggestion wasgreeted. 

An hour later the doctor came down to settle matters for us. 

"Under the circumstances, " said he, "it seems right that Crofter shouldtake charge of the house. I understand that Tempest's debts, on accountof which he was removed from the headship last term, are now allhonourably settled. But as he was more than once reported for breakingrules last term, it is only fair that Crofter, whose marks are equal, and against whom no complaint was recorded, should captain the house. "

That was all. Tempest, on the whole, looked relieved. Crofter smiled asatisfied smile. Pridgin and Wales looked blue; and the Philosopherstook time to consider what they thought. 

As for me, although Tempest had thrown me over, I could guess what ablow this was for him; not personally, for he would probably be glad tobe rid of the responsibility, but as a public disgrace it was sure towound him keenly. 

I longed to be able to go and tell him how sorry I was; but after whathad happened last term I dare not. In that respect, whether I liked itor not, I must "lie low. "

The Philosophers were not long in formally exchanging opinions on thesituation. 

A meeting was summoned for the same evening to inaugurate thingsgenerally. I was a little doubtful what I ought to do. Last termphilosophy had not tended to diligent work, and with my good resolutionsin view I felt that I should be better out of it. The little tiff withmy comrades before the holidays had almost solved the difficulty; butsince then I had been formally re-admitted to the fold, and it would bealmost treasonable to "scratch" now. 

"I _move_ and third, and old Trim seconds and fourths, " announcedLangrish, "that old Sal be, and is, president as before. "

"And I carry that motion, " said Warminster, who prided himself on hisacquaintance with the procedure of public meetings. 

"I move an amendment, " said I. 

"Shut up, or you'll be kicked out again, " said the secretary. 

"Shut up yourself, or you'll be kicked in, " retorted I, feeling I mustcarry everything with a high hand if I was to carry them at all. "No. Look here, you chaps, I'm not so green as I look. "

"Then you must look fearfully green, " muttered Coxhead. 

I took no heed of the interruption, which was not relevant, andproceeded, --

"It was all very well last term, but it won't wash this. What I say is, that if the cock of the school is the head boy in the school, and thecock of the house is the head boy in the house, the president of thePhilosophers has got to be the chap highest up in the Philosophers, andthat's not me. Now old Warminster is. _He's_ a jolly clever chap, andgot the form prize on his head, and he's a rattling good speaker, and amiddling sprinter, and writes a fairly good hand! _He's_ the sort ofchap we want. We want some one who can keep the secretary, andtreasurer, and auditor, and registrar, and all that lot, in their place, and doesn't mind telling them they're idiots when they are. I nevercould do it. It's rough on the club not to have a chap likeWarminster, " continued I, waxing warm, and undaunted by the murmurs ofmy audience. "He can make you all sit up. He's not the sort of chap tolet the Philosophers go rotting about, talking what they know nothingabout and all that. He'll see that the louts are kept out of it, andonly fellows who've got a record of something are let in. Bless you, Iused to let in any sort of bounder that asked! Look round you and see. That's the sort of lot I let in. It won't wash, though. Fancy having alot of outsiders who can't translate a Latin motto, and make 'corpore' afeminine genitive! Now old Warminster's a nailer at Latin, and can putone or two of us to bed at Euclid. He'll keep us out of blunders ofthat sort, that make all the school grin at us. I therefore propose, fifth, fourth, third, and second, that Tip. Warminster is the presidentof the Philosophers, and that the secretary, treasurer, auditor, registrar, and all that lot, get a month's notice to jack it up unlessthey're on the front desk. There you are! Of course they won't likeit--can't help that. No back-deskers for us. Front desk or nothing!"

This oration, the longest I ever delivered so far, and in allprobability the longest I ever shall deliver, was listened to with acurious mixture of discomfort and attention. At first it was nearlyhowled down, but it took as it went on. Warminster, for whom I reallydid not feel quite so much admiration as my words seemed to imply, butwho yet was the hard-working man of our lot--Warminster was wonderfullypleased with it. The others, one by one, dropped their noisy protests, and looked out of the window. Trimble attempted a little bravado, bysticking his tongue in his cheek; but my peroration was listened to withmarked attention. 

"Cuts down the club a bit, " said Coxhead, who occupied a desk in classon the third row, "if it's only to be top-deskers. "

"Cuts old Sal out, to begin with, " said Langrish, who was just on thebench of honour. 

"It'll cut you out next week, old hoss, " said I. 

"Me! What are you talking about?"

"You wait till the week's order is up: you'll see. "

Langrish glared indignantly. 

"If you think an idiot like you is going to--"

"Look here, " said Warminster, "I vote we go easy at first, and make itany one who's not gone down in order in a month. "

"I say, nobody who's not gone up one in the term, " suggested Langrish, glancing defiantly at me. 

"All serene, " said I, "that'll suit my book. It'll be roughish on you, though. "

"Will it? See how you'll feel when you're chucked out neck and crop, mybeauty!"

My main object had been to get out of being president. But, somehow, indoing it I had struck a note which made the Philosophers sit up. It wasno credit to me it happened so, but it was one of those lucky flukeswhich sometimes turn out well and do a good stroke without the strikerbeing aware of it. 

Warminster was unanimously elected president, and bore his blushinghonours with due meekness. 

"Old Sal"--the Philosophers had taken to abbreviating my pet name thisterm, I know not on what principle of familiarity--"Old Sal piles it ona bit, " remarked he. "Of course he couldn't help rotting the club a bitlast term. That's the way he's born. But considering what a rankoutsider he was, I suppose he did his best. " (Laughter, and cries of"What about Jarman's guy?") "Yes, that was a howling mess. I vote wekeep out of that this term, or leave it to the louts. I tell you what, "said he, "I vote we make a show up at the sports next month, and takesome of the side out of those day-boy kids. They fancy themselves ajolly sight too much. "

"Dicky Brown told me, " said I, "they were sure of both the jumps and theQuarter-mile and the Tug--and that Selkirk's were going to pull off theothers, all except the Half-mile Handicap; and we may get that, he says, because they'll probably give us fifty or sixty yards' lead. "

"Howling cheek!" exclaimed every one in furious rage. The idea of beinggiven sixty yards' start in a half-mile by a day boy was too much evenfor a Philosopher. 

Whereupon we solemnly considered the list of events "under 15, " anddivided them out among ourselves, with a vow to eat our heads if wedidn't pull off as many for Sharpe's as all the rest of the school puttogether. 

We decided to postpone making our entries till the last moment, so as todelude the enemy into the impression that we were shirking the sportsaltogether. Then we would, as Warminster politely put it, "drop downand rot the lot. "

Before we adjourned for the night the question of Tempest and Croftercame up, _a propos_ of a report, which some one mentioned, that Tempesthad entered for the Open Mile against Redwood, and was expected to provea warm customer. 

"Is Crofter in?"

"No--Pridgin is, but of course he won't come up to scratch, and Walesonly enters for the show of the thing. "

"Crofter couldn't look in at Tempest over the Mile, " said Langrish, "buthe ought to enter, for all that. "

"Can he look in at Tempest over anything?" said I. 

"Don't ask questions, and you won't be told no whoppers, " astutelyreplied Trimble. "I wonder if he expects us to back him up?"

"I sha'n't, " said one. "Nor shall I, " said one or two others. 

"I vote we let him alone, " said Coxhead. "What's he got to do with us?When does he come across us? Only when there's a row on. He's gotnothing at all to say to us at other times. "

"You mean, if we want to let him alone we shall have to shut up rows?"inquired Langrish. "Rather rough, isn't it?"

"Not if he knows the reason, " suggested I. "Let's send him a round-robin and let him know. "

"Not half a bad idea. "

Whereupon the following candid epistle was concocted and signed by allpresent:--

"To T. Crofter, Esquire, Captain Sharpe's _pro tem_. , etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. 

"Dear Crofter, --We the undersigned Philosophers wish to say we're goingsteady this term on our own hooks, and hope you will not think it'sbecause of you. We don't want to be interfered with by any chap exceptold Tempest, who ought to be cock of Sharpe's, so we've decided to gosteady, so as not to be interfered with, because we would rather not youinterfered with us, because we're all serene and are backing up Tempest, and hope he'll pull off the Mile that you've not entered for. We aren'tdown on you, because you pulled Tempest through last term, but it'srough you're cock of the house instead of him, and therefore on thataccount we are going steady, so as not to give you the fag ofinterfering with us, which we don't mind Tempest doing because weconsider he has more right to interfere with us than you. Hoping youare well and in good health, as this leaves us, Believe us, with kindregards to all at home, Yours very kindly and in alphabetical order, sothat you needn't know who started this letter. Samuel WilberforceCoxhead, Thomas Jones, Everard Langrish, Jonathan T. Purkis, AlfredJames Remington Trimble, Percy Algernon Warminster, and others. "

This important document, the writing of which, I grieve to say, necessitated frequent reference to the English Dictionary, Langrish, asCrofter's fag, undertook to deliver, and faithfully discharged hismission by leaving it on the captain's table when he was out of hisstudy. 

It was decided to resist the temptation of sending Mr Jarman a similarexplanatory letter, for fear it might lead to a row which would call forinterference. Nor was it deemed prudent under the circumstances tocommit ourselves in writing to Tempest, whom we hoped to convince of ourloyalty by cheering him on every possible occasion and otherwise makingthings pleasant for him. 

How Crofter enjoyed his letter we none of us knew. He was inconsiderateenough to give no sign of having received it; and still moreinconsiderate to allow himself on more than one occasion to be publiclycomplimented by the doctor and Mr Sharpe on the order of the house. 

Meanwhile the Philosophers stuck to their new programme. I had thesatisfaction of pulling down Langrish from his place on the top desk atthe end of the first week, and he had the triumph of recovering his seatat the end of the week after. In the seclusion of the faggery weindulged in a few mild recriminations, which were the natural outcome ofour rivalry; but they only served to blow off steam, and we were tookeen to win our self-imposed battles in class to allow personal feelingto interfere much with our work. 

Mr Sharpe was fairly astonished, and took off his glasses, and rubbedhis mild eyes as he read over our really meritorious exercises andlistened to our sometimes positively coherent feats of construing. 

Secretly, too, but with great precaution, and in spots far removed fromthe detection of the day boys, we practised grimly at jumping andsprinting and record-breaking generally, and finally, as the criticaltime for making our entries approached, agreed upon the particularexploit which each of us was to undertake for the honour and glory ofSharpe's house in general and Philosophy in particular. 

Before that time arrived, however, one awkward incident occurred, toremind me I had even yet not quite purged myself of the follies of lastterm. I stumbled against Crofter just outside his door. 

"Come in, " said he. 

I obeyed, guessing that at last we were to hear something of our famousletter. 

I was disappointed, however. Crofter made no reference to it, butsaid--

"Those bills you paid for me last term, Jones iv. --did none of thepeople allow you any discount?"

"Discount, " said I, "what's that? We haven't got to it yet in Syntax. "

"Don't be a young ass. Did none of them give you any change?"

"Rather, all of them. I brought it back, or used it to pay the rest. "

"What I mean is, you didn't make anything out of it for yourself, didyou?"

"Me--oh!" the conscious blushes suddenly mounted as I grasped hismeaning. 

"Yes, you. "

"Well, only, you see, it was--"

"Come, no lies. I know all about it. Did you or did you not?"

"Not from the hat man, " said I. 

"From all the others?"

"Only--"

"Yes or no, that's what I want to know. "

"Yes, but--"

"That will do. Now I understand why you were so pleased with the job. It's a profitable thing to help a friend sometimes. Tempest will beamused when he hears. "

"Oh, I say, don't--really I didn't fancy--"

"That will do, I say. Cut--do you hear? I only wanted to know whetherI was right or not in what I told Tempest. "

"Oh, but--" pleaded I, with a groan of misery. 

"If you don't cut I'll lick you for disobedience. "

This, after all my good resolutions and hopes that all was squared andthat before long Tempest would believe in me again!

I slunk away in despair, and curled myself up in my bed that night, themost miserable boy in Low Heath. 

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. 

PRETTY WARM ALL ROUND. 

"Dicky, old chap, I'm in a howling mess. "

"The same old one, or a new one?"

"It's about those blessed bills of Tempest's--I wish I'd let them alone. You see, it was this way. How was I to know? I'm sure I never meantto do anything shady. "

"I dare say not, but what _are_ you talking about?"

"Why, I've been regularly let in. You see, I--"

"Look here, old chap, let's hear what it is, " said the practical Dicky. 

"Why, the fact is, most of the chaps wanted to stand me something when Isquared up with them, and Crofter tries to make out I'm a thief, andhe's going to show me up to Tempest. "

"But you didn't let them?"

"Well, yes, one or two. You see, Marple gave me a pencil-sharpener, andRammage a strawberry ice, and Ringstead a net-bag and spikes--jolly badones too, they all came out in a week. "

"And does Crofter say you swindled him or Tempest?"

"I didn't think I was swindling anybody, " said I evasively. 

"You made a pretty good thing out of it, though. "

"I know. I say, Dicky, what's to be done? I thought I was going topull round all square this term--really I did--and now I'm in a regularfix. "

Dicky pondered. 

"It was a bit shady, " said he, with his refreshing candour; "the sort ofthing Ananias and--"

"Oh, for pity's sake, Dicky, if that's all you've got to say--"

"It's not. I think you'd best make it good somehow. Can't you givethem back?"

"How can I give back the strawberry ice?"

This was a poser, certainly, and set Dicky thinking again. 

"Have you got the other things?" asked he. 

"No; the pencil-sharpener smashed first time I used it, and the net-baggot lost at home. "

"Awkward. You'll have to buy new ones. "

"Who for?"

"Tempest, of course. They were his bills. "

"But it was Crofter's money. "

"But Tempest has paid him back. "

The result of this conversation was, that instead of practising for theQuarter-mile that afternoon I went down town with a bag, and expendedfive shillings of my term's pocket-money in the purchase of a pencil-sharpener, a strawberry ice, a net-bag, and a set of patent screwspikes. 

Dicky, like a brick, undertook to convey these to Tempest, with thefollowing letter, which I wrote at his suggestion. 

"Dear Tempest, --I send you back the change I got out of the bills I gotlast term. I'm sorrier than I can say, and hope you won't hate me morethan you do. Dicky will tell you how jolly blue I am, and how we allhope you'll win the Mile. We aren't backing up Crofter, and hope you'llsoon be captain again. Please excuse me writing, but I don't like tocome and tell you this, as you're so down on me. 

"Yours truly, --

"T. Jones iv. "

I also penned a further letter for Crofter:--

"Dear Crofter, --You needn't mind telling Tempest, as I've done so andpaid him back. With thanks all the same, --

"Yours truly, --

"T. J. Iv. "

I felt vastly easier in my mind when this polite letter was at an end, and when I saw the faithful Dicky depart to execute his brotherlymission. My one fear was lest the strawberry ice should get warm beforeit reached its destination. 

I waited in vain for any sign of response from Tempest. ThePhilosophers went down during the afternoon to watch him training forhis race; but he vouchsafed us no regard, and, for all I knew, still putme down as a thief and a sharper. Dicky, whom I met later on, explainedthat he had failed to catch Tempest in his study, but had deposited thearticles along with the letter on his table, so that, if he did not knowof them yet, he soon would. 

My anxiety was not at all allayed by a casual encounter with Crofter inthe evening. He summoned me into his study, where I saw my _billet-doux_ lying on the table. 

"I suppose you wrote this?" said he. 

"Yes. "

"And you think everything's clear now, do you?"

"Isn't it?" said I. 

"I dare say Dr England will be able to tell you. By the way, why didyou only give me 2 shillings 6 pence change instead of 3 shillings 6pence?"

"There was only 2 shillings 6 pence to give. "

"Really? I thought so too till your clever management of the tipstempted me to look over the bills again. I see that what you paid onlycame to £4 16 shillings 6 pence, instead of £4 17 shillings 6 pence. Idon't want the other shilling, but hope you bought yourself somethingnice with it. You must consider it a present from Tempest, not me. "

I timed red and white in the sudden confusion of that announcement. Iwas positively certain 2 shillings 6 pence had been the change, and thatif there was any mistake it must be on the part of the tradesmen, notme. But how was I likely to convince Crofter, or, for the matter ofthat, Tempest, that such was the case?

"I promise you, " said I, "I only had 2 shillings 6 pence change. Really, Crofter, do believe me. "

"I believe every word you say, " said Crofter, with a smile. "I haveevery reason to, haven't I?"

"But, really and truly--"

"What's the use of saying any more? Of course, it's all really andtruly. I've no doubt Tempest believes it too. "

"Please let me see the bills, " pleaded I; "I'll show you I'm right. "

"Unfortunately Tempest has them. I dare say he will be delighted. "

"You haven't told him about this, have you?" I gasped, in helplessmisery. 

"I'm going to; it's too good a joke to be kept to myself; I don'tsuppose he'll mind. Certainly he won't be surprised. "

"Oh, Crofter, for goodness' sake, don't tell him this!" said I, blundering on into an appearance of guiltiness of which I was quiteinnocent. "I'm wanting so awfully to be friends with him again. I'vegiven him back all I got out of the shops; and it will spoil everythingif you tell him this, really--it isn't true either. "

Crofter laughed pleasantly. 

"It's rather likely I should shield you, isn't it? when all this termyou and your friends have been insulting and defying me, and settingyourself to upset my authority as captain of the house. "

"Oh, but we aren't!"

"What does this precious thing mean?" demanded he, producing the famousround-robin; "it's meant to be all politeness, I suppose. "

"It only means, " faltered I, "that we are sorry Tempest is not captain. "

"Naturally. It's nice to have a captain one can swindle and rob, isn'tit?"

I groaned miserably--it seemed no use trying to put myself right. 

"If you chose to be civil and back me up, it would be different, " saidCrofter. 

"But we are--we're going as steady as anything, " said I. 

"What do you mean by going to Pridgin and Wales and Tempest for _exeats_and special leave instead of to me?" he demanded. 

This was a point I was unprepared for. It was true that thePhilosophers, in their desire not to be interfered with by the newcaptain, had made a point of applying, as they were entitled to do, toany of the other prefects of the house in preference to Crofter for_exeats_ and occasional leave to go without bounds. It had always beenconsidered the prerogative of the captain of the house to grant these;but, strictly speaking, the other prefects had the right too. I triedto explain as much. 

"Of course, " said he, "it is a very neat way of ignoring my authority. I expect you to come to me. I shall not refuse any reasonable request, but I'm not going to be insulted in my own house. "

"But--" said I. 

"There is no 'but' about it. If you want to prevent your being shown upto your friend as an amiable young swindler, you can stop it byundertaking that you and your lot will do what I tell you. If not, itis your own look-out, that's all. "

Luckily the school bell enabled me to get away without giving anypledge. Fool as I was, I knew what all this meant. It was an attemptto buy us all over at the cost of that unlucky shilling, and with it tosecure Crofter in the authority which he so dearly coveted, but so farso imperfectly enjoyed. 

The Philosophers, as might be expected, waxed very indignant when I madea clean breast of the whole matter. With their usual frankness theyquite admitted that I might have pilfered the shilling. That sort ofthing, they remarked, was quite in my line, and in keeping with mycharacter generally; and they hoped to live to see me hung. But as tocaving in to Crofter as the cost of my shelter, they drew the line atthat. He had no right to impose new rules, or take away the immemorialprivileges of the "Sharpers. " Besides, if they gave in on this point, they would immediately have to go and ask his leave to practise for theSports in Callow Meadow, which was just out of bounds, and where, instrict seclusion, diligent practice had been going on for a week, withmost promising results. 

I was thereupon ordered to write a laconic rejoinder to the temptingoffer, the Philosophers promising to back me up in the matter of theshilling and see me through it. 

With a heavy heart, therefore, I sat down and penned the following briefepistle, which was approved by the faggery and ordered to be laid onCrofter's table before bed-time. 

"Dear Crofter, --We all think it's not good enough. It's all a lie aboutthe shilling. Yours sincerely, T. J. Iv. "

Some of the Philosophers demurred to the sentence about the shilling, which appeared to commit them to an opinion they did not hold. But Ihad my way for once, and retired to bed, when all was done, wonderingwhenever peace would come, and I and my friend should rejoice to see oneanother again as of old. 

I do not know how soon I fell asleep. It must have been pretty soon;for I can remember seeing Crofter come into the dormitory and turn outthe gas; and I can remember in the general stillness hearing voices andthe noise of poking the fire in Mr Sharpe's room downstairs. Afterthat I forgot everything, until suddenly I discovered myself awakeagain. 

Things seemed strange as I slowly turned my head on the pillow andblinked up with half-opened eyes. The dormitory seemed hot and stuffy;somebody or something was making a noise, and I wished they would stop. I could see nothing, except the hazy outline of my shirt hanging on theback of the chair, and even that seemed to come and go as I watched it. I was indisposed to move, and my mind was half asleep still. The onething I did long for was for the noise to stop and some one to open awindow. It was simply choking; I could hardly breathe, and--

Suddenly my shirt seemed to turn red, and by the lurid light it emittedI could see smoke coming over the top of the door. Then the side of theroom grew red too, and seemed to close in on me, getting redder andredder as it did so, till finally by a frantic effort I raised myself inmy bed and yelled--

"Fire!"

The answer was a great volume of smoke, which leapt out at me like asavage beast and sent me back on to the pillow; a deafening roaroutside, and a sudden blaze, which half-blinded me and stifled the crythat was on my lips. 

That is all I can remember distinctly. I was vaguely conscious ofhearing my name called, of seeing my door move, of everything whirlinground and round, and finally of falling, or getting, or being draggedout of bed. 

The next thing I was aware of was that I was lying in a strange bed, with a headache, but otherwise tolerably comfortable, though awfullythirsty, and as weak as a mouse. 

"Water, please, " I remarked at large. 

Instantly a face bent over me--a strangely familiar face, which after amoment's reflection I told myself was my mother's. 

It was such a surprise that I forgot about the water, and took a napinstead. 

In due time I must have woke again, this time by candlelight. 

"Mother, are you there?"

"Yes, darling; what is it?"

"My shirt caught fire, and--"

"Hush, dear. Don't try to talk. "

I didn't quite see why. I was really curious about several things. Infact, I thirsted for information. 

"Why mayn't I talk, mother?"

"Because you've been ill. "

"Did I get doctor's leave?"

"Yes, dear. "

"Mother?"

"Well, sonny darling. "

"How did you get here?"

"They sent and told me you--"

"You didn't believe about that shilling? Really there was only 2shillings 6 pence change. "

"Yes, yes, dear. Hush now, there's a good boy. "

"Mother?"

"Well, Tommy dear. "

"Was there a fire last night?"

"It was a week ago, sonny. "

"Who was the fellow called me? Was he riled at me for not answering?"

"Oh no--you were almost suffocated. "

"Where shall I sleep now? Have they mended my cubicle?"

"You'll sleep here, dear. All the boys are over here. "

"Was all the dormitory on fire, then?"

"Yes; but thank God every one was saved. "

"Is Langrish all right?"

"Oh yes, all of them are. "

"Will he be game for the High Jump?"

"Surely, surely--but you're talking too much, sonny. "

"Mother?"

"What is it, darling?"

"Does Tempest know I've been ill?"

"Yes, " and her eyes seemed to fill with tears as she bent over me. 

"Will you tell him about the shilling?"

"Yes, if you like. "

"Mother, why are you crying? Is Tempest ill too?"

"No, dear--but--"

"Tell us, mother. "

"If it had not been for Tempest, " said she, "I should have had no boyto-day. "

"Did he get me out, then?" said I, getting thoroughly aroused. 

"Yes, Heaven bless him for it!" she replied, kissing my forehead. 

"That'll be a score for him, " said I; "I'm so glad. "

My mother evidently did not quite understand this point of view, andconcluded I had been talking more than was good for me, and once moreimplored me to be silent. 

But I had no notion of giving up my inquiries at this stage. 

"Did he get hurt doing it?" I asked. 

"Only his hand a little. "

"How did he get at me?"

"Every one thought you were safe out of the burning room with theothers. When it was found you were not, Tempest rushed back before anyone could stop him, and carried you out. He had not got outside withyou more than a second or two when the roof and staircase and all fellin. "

Here she shuddered as once more she bent over me and kissed me. 

This was all I wanted to hear at present, and I closed my eyes in orderto think it over the better. 

My chief sensation was one of exultation that Tempest should risk hislife for me. It meant that I had won him back in spite of myself. Thenwhen I recalled the frightful blaze and noise of that night, I began torealise what my rescue must have meant to any one. No one but a fellowutterly scornful of danger, and utterly determined to save a life inperil at all cost, could have ventured into that place. _He_ would havedone it for any one, I knew; but to come deliberately after me, who hadruined his chances last term, and whom he despised as a pilferer and asneak--this was an act of heroism which it baffled me to contemplate, and in the contemplation of which consequently I succumbed once more tosleep and forgot everything. 

As I slowly got better (and, after all, I was not much damaged, as soonas I had got over the effects of the suffocation and terror of thatawful night) I heard more about the fire. Permission was given me tosee one friend a day for ten minutes at a time, and the reader mayimagine the wild excitement of those ten minutes. 

I naturally called for Dicky Brown as my first man. He came, lookingrather scared, and was evidently relieved to find I was something betterthan a mass of burns, and able to do my share in the conversation. 

"It was a close shave for you, I can tell you, " he said. "All the otherfellows hopped out long before the fire got bad, and no one fancied youweren't out too. You must have been sleeping jolly sound. All of asudden one of your lot yelled out that you were missing. It was so hotthen the fellows were all standing back, but old Tempest, almost beforethe chap had shouted, nipped into the middle of it, and made a dash foryour cubicle. My word! I wish I'd been there to see it! You were asgood as done for when he collared you and hauled you out. He fell withyou half-way down the stairs, but Sharpe and Pridgin and one or twoothers caught him and fished him out with you over his shoulder. Heswears he's not damaged, but he's got his hand in a sling. I say, oldchap, it's no use blubbing; it's all right how. "

"I wasn't blubbing, " said I. "When you've got a cold in your head youreyes water sometimes, don't they?"

"Rather, buckets, " said the magnanimous Dicky. 

Langrish was my next interviewer; and his account as an eye-witness wasgraphic, and not calculated entirely to cure my "cold in the head. "

"You see, it's this way, " said he. "Jarman was smoking in Sharpe'sroom, and chucked his cigar into the waste-paper basket or somewhere bymistake, and while he and Sharpe toddled across the quad, the thingflared up and went up the curtains, and when old Sharpe came back thewhole place was in a blaze. I twigged it pretty sharp, and so did Trim, and there was a regular stampede. No one ever supposed you'd go snoringall through it. Crofter and Wales were first outside, looking as whiteas milk. Bless you, it was such a rush and shindy, no one could seeanybody. Of course we made sure you were all serene. Think of yousleeping through it!"

"I was in the end cubicle, you see, " said I. 

"For all that, you might have stuck your head out to see what the funwas about, " said Langrish, in rather an aggrieved tone. "Sharpe turnedup presently, with his face all grimy with smoke, and yelled, 'Is everyone here?' 'Yes, ' said Crofter--silly ass, how could he tell? ThenCoxhead said to me, 'Where's Sarah got to?' That made me look round, and I can tell you I was pretty sick when I couldn't see you. Justfancy a chap sleeping away through it all! Why, the ant and thesluggard, " said Langrish, getting a little mixed in his proverbs, "weren't in it with you. So I yelled 'Sarah!' with all my might. Youshould have seen the chaps sit up when they heard your name. Then oldTempest, with his mouth shut and looking middling pasty about the face, broke through the scrimmage and sent us right and left, and made aregular header into the place. Sharpe yelled to him to come back; sometried to yell, but couldn't for lumps in their throats, and we allclosed up. I can tell you it was a hot place. The smoke rolled out andgot in our eyes, and the wood and stuff cracked and blazed, and soundedlike the waves at Dover. We never expected to see him or you come back. The stairs were going to bits as fast as they could, and great bits ofburning wood were tumbling off the roof. Then the smoke shiftedsomehow, and we heard Sharpe yell, 'Heavens!' Then there was a dull rowlike something tumbling, and Pridgin and Sharpe dashed in. We got keptback, or we'd have given you a leg-up too. Then you strolled in, fastasleep still--I never saw such a snoozer!--on Tempest's arm. He waspretty well done, and couldn't have pulled it off if Sharpe and Pridginhadn't hiked him out. Even then he couldn't stand. So I hope you'rejolly well pleased with yourself. I hope it will be a lesson to you, young Sarah, to keep one eye open while you're asleep. We were jollyglad you got canted out, though you _are_ a bit of a mule. But it wouldhave been rough on you to miss the Sports. They say Tempest's burnedhis hand pretty bad, but he means to have a shot at the Mile. I say, Redwood was asking after you. Jarman's jolly sick that it was his faultabout the fire. He's been quite civil, and been to ask about you everyday. Look sharp and get right, I say, or it'll rot the Sports if youdon't. Hullo, there comes your _mater_. Ta, ta, old hoss. It's ratherripping you scraped through all right. "

He was a good sort, Langrish. He did not tell me, what I heard later, that at the time of the fire he had to be held back by main force fromfollowing Tempest in quest of me; and that he had rather a "cold in hishead" when he saw me hauled out safe and sound. 

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. 

"SMALL AND EARLY" IN THE SANATORIUM. 

My recovery was far too rapid to please me. I never had such a jollytime in all my life. My mother was in and out all day; there were nolessons. I was allowed to summon any chum I liked to my bedside. I wasreceiving messages daily from masters and seniors, and, best of all, Ihad nothing the matter with me except, a strong disinclination to exertmyself, and an occasional headache or dizziness when I sat up. 

I had come up to Low Heath that term with the honest determination to"lie low. " I little expected, however, that I should find myself quiteso literally adhering to my resolution. 

My one trouble was that all this time I had not seen Tempest. I did notlike to send for him, in case he should not appreciate the compliment. And he, as I guessed, would not care to come of his own accord for theuncomfortable ceremony of receiving my thanks. My mother told me he hadoften asked about me; but when she asked him to come and see me he hadreplied, --"I'll see him as soon as he gets about again. " When sheinquired about his hand he had replied airily that it was all right, andhe was only keeping it in the sling to get it right for the Sports. "But, " said my mother, "I wish he would let the doctor see it, or giveup running till it is well. "

"But, " said I, "he's a chance of winning off Redwood. " This argument, which in ninety-nine cases out of one hundred in Low Heath would havebeen absolutely conclusive, failed to impress my mother in the least. She attached no importance to "winning off Redwood" compared with aboy's health, and obdurately protested that if she were Tempest's mothershe would not allow him to think of running. 

It was only my agitated appeals to her not to interpose that preventedher speaking to Dr England about the matter, and so knocking the raceon the head altogether. 

I took it as a compliment to myself that the Sports had been put off afortnight in consequence of the fire. That warm event had so upseteverything and monopolised so much attention that Low Heath would nothave come up to scratch at all on the day originally fixed. And whereasthe new date permitted of my being present to assist--though, alas I notto compete--in the day's proceedings, I felt specially satisfied withthe alteration. 

I had naturally heard a good deal of Philosophical gossip during myconvalescence. On my last evening in hospital especially, there wasquite a symposium. 

My mother, in an innocent moment, had remarked, "I should so like tohave one or two of your friends to tea, sonny, before I go home. Thedoctor says it will not do you any harm--and we can have them in here, as you are the only invalid in hospital. "

"That'll be ten, with you and me, " said I. 

"Do you want quite so many?" asked she, beginning to get a littleconcerned. 

"Must have the lot or none, " said I decisively. "We can cut outRackstraw and Walsh, if you like--they're paupers. "

"Oh, Tommy!" said the dear, tender-hearted one, "if they are not as welloff as--"

"Oh, that's not it. They can shell out as well as anybody; only theygot on our club for nothing on condition of towing the boats, cleaningup, and that sort of thing. "

"At any rate, let us have them, " said my mother. 

"All serene. Will you write the invitations? I say, mother, do youmind writing as well as you can? Our chaps are rather particular, youknow, and I wouldn't like them to snuff up at you. "

My poor dear mother began, I think, to repent of her hospitable offer, but decided to go through with it now. 

So she got eight nice little sheets of scented invitation note, withenvelopes to match, and wrote, --

"Mrs Jones requests the pleasure of Mr Alfred James RemingtonTrimble's company to tea in the Sanatorium parlour this evening at 6p. M. ;" and so on, in each case. 

My suggestion to add "R. S. V. P. " and "Evening dress _de rigueur_" shethought it best to decline. But her kind leniency was thrown away, forwithin half an hour eight notes dropped in upon us, couched in thepolitest phraseology. 

Here was Langrish's, for instance:--

"Everard Langrish, Esquire, begs to thank Mrs Jones for asking him totea at six sharp, when he will be very pleased to fall in with herwishes and be of service in any other way her better feelings maydictate. "

Langrish told me afterwards he cribbed this last sentence out of a storyhe had read in a weekly newspaper. He rather fancied it was "on thespot. "

Trimble's was less romantic:--

"Dear Madam, --I accept with thanks. Sarah gets rather outsidesometimes, but we do what we can for him. Till then, --

"I am yours affectionately, --

"A. J. R. Trimble. "

Warminster's was, no doubt, meant to be impressive:--"The President ofthe Philosophical Conversation Club presents his compliments to MrsJones, and desires to inform her of his intention to wait upon her atthe hour named in her letter. He trusts that Mrs Jones is in goodhealth, and that her ailing child will be spared to her a little longer. Having several matters to attend to, the President of the PhilosophicalConversation Club must now abruptly terminate, namely, Percy AlgernonWarminster. "

The ending seemed to me decidedly weak compared with the rest. I willonly give one more--that of Coxhead:--

 "Dear Mrs Jones, I'll come to tea; At six o'clock you shall me see. I'm sorry Sarah's been laid up And drinks his physic from a cup. Unless unto the contrary I hear. My Eton suit I think I'll wear. And now 'farewell, ' as great John Knox said. Yours truly, Samuel Wilberforce Coxhead. "

This effusion struck me as rather like cheek; but my mother seemed tolike it. 

As evening approached I began to grow very nervous, and have to confessthat my mother was the cause of my concern. I was so afraid she was notproperly impressed with the gravity of the occasion--that perhaps shewould not be dressed at her best--or that the tea might not be up to themark--or that for any cause the fellows should consider they had been"done. " I'm sure I wearied the life out of her by my inquiries as tothe nature of the jam, as to whether the cake would go round twice, whether any of the teacups were cracked, whether the nine chairs rangedround the little room were all sound on their legs, who would open thedoor to let them in, whether my mother would mind not proposing juvenilegames like table-turning, or clumps, and whether when the time came forthem to go she would mind not looking at her watch or yawning, for fearthey should think it a hint. 

All which points the dear soul faithfully promised should be borne inmind and attended to, with a little quiet banter at my expense, whichhelped to remind me that, after all, one's mother may be trusted not todisgrace a fellow, if left to herself. 

In due time she presented herself in her Sunday dress, looking verypretty and smart--quite creditable, in fact. The tea also, as itappeared laid out on the sideboard--I had urged, by the way, that itshould be served in party style, and not partaken of round a table--looked a well-found meal for the most exacting of Philosophers. Imyself reposed in state in bed, arrayed in my Eton jacket and bestcollar and choker. The fire in the hearth was both cheerful andadequate, and the knowledge that the Sanatorium maid was downstairs inher cap and clean apron, to show the young gentlemen up, finallyrelieved my anxiety. 

In due time there was a ring, and a sound of the funereal tramp ofeighteen feet on the staircase, and I knew that Mrs Jones's party hadbegun. 

They all trooped in together, looking very grave and shy, and spick andspan in their full-dress, and evidently on their good behaviour. Mymother shook hands with each in unexceptionable style, repeating hisname as I announced it from the bed, and expressing her pleasure atmaking his acquaintance. 

The sight of me propped up on my pillows, somewhat pale still, and asshy as themselves, seemed to impress them a good deal, and added to thefunereal character of the entertainment. A long pause ensued, brokenonly by the entrance of the maid with the teapot, and Langrish's remarkto Trimble that it was a fine day. 

Then my mother had the wit to observe that she hoped it would be equallyfine on the day of the Sports, and she was so sorry she would miss them, as she understood Mr Sharpe's house was likely to win a good many ofthe events, and of course her sympathies were entirely that way. 

This went down beautifully, and drew from Coxhead the remark, --

"It's a pity Sar--I mean Jones iv. --is out of it. He might have got theQuarter-mile. "

"Are the names down yet?" I asked. 

"Yes. We stuck them down to-day, " said Langrish. 

"Any one else in for the Senior Mile?"

"No; only Tempest and Redwood. "

Another pause--everybody evidently meditating what my mother would liketo hear next. 

My mother meanwhile moved to the sideboard and began to pour out tea. 

"Do you take cream and sugar?" she said, with a pleasant smile, toLangrish. How relieved I was she did not call him "Everard" or "dear!"

"Yes, please--can I pass round?" he replied. 

It was admirable. I had been in terror lest he would have collared thefirst cup and stuck to it. 

"Thank you, if you will, please. I see they are beginning to get yourold house ready for rebuilding. "

"It won't be ready this term, though, " said Warminster; "it will take--aslice of cake, thanks. "

"No sugar for me, thanks, " said Coxhead. "I wonder if Jarman will haveto pay for it?"

"Does your _mater_ take cream and sugar?" said Purkis to me, in anaside. 

"I shouldn't think so, " said Langrish, "because he didn't do it onpurpose, you know. "

"Thank you very much. Do you mind putting it down there? And won't yousit down?" said my mother, setting the example. 

"I expect he'd better give up smoking, as he's always setting things onfire, " ventured I. "Mother knows about the guy last term, don't you, mother?"

"Yes, indeed, " said she, with a laugh, which won over the Philosophersin a body. "That was a lucky escape for everybody. I was horrified. "

"Well, old Sar--I mean Jones iv. --"

"I think he understands his nickname better than his real name, " said myclever parent. 

"Old Sarah, " said Langrish, getting rapidly at his ease, "let us in forthat. You see (cake up, please), it was this way--"

And he launched forth into an account of that famous adventure, intowhich the company one by one cut, at my expense, of course, and highlyto the diversion of my mother. 

Meanwhile the teapot was kept busy, and the jam went its rounds--some ofit on to Coxhead's shirt-front--and by the end of it all thePhilosophers found themselves comfortably at home. 

"I say, " said I, when a break came, "how's the club getting on?Anything fresh?"

Langrish glanced round at my mother. 

"I've got the minute-book, " he said, "would she--"

"Oh, do!" said she. "Is it an account of your meetings? I would liketo hear it immensely. Debating societies are such capital things, Ithink. "

"It's a bit down on Sarah, though, " said the secretary, dubiously. 

"Why, I wasn't there, " said I. 

"Weren't you? that's all. "

"Let's hear it, " said my mother, "I dare say he deserves it. "

I forgave the dear traitress for giving me away like this, for I feltsure the minutes would save our evening. 

"You see, " said Trimble, "we try to keep it fair, so it's down on someof the others too. But Sarah gets it a little the hottest. "

"I'm used to getting things hot by now, " said I; "forge ahead, and sitwhere I can shy the pillow at you. "

Whereupon Langrish moved his chair to a conspicuous place, and read, --

"'A meeting of the Ph. C. C. Was held in dormitory on February 1, at 9p. M. '"

"Why, that's when the fire was, " said Trimble. 

"Shut--I mean what's that got to do with it?" retorted the secretary. 

"Well?" said my mother, taking a stitch or two at her needlework. 

"'Owing to the side put on by the ex-president, who was lately, kickedout for being a howling cad, and because he was down in form order--'"

"What a cram!" I interposed; "I was on the second desk, and should havehad you down weeks ago if I hadn't been laid up. "

"Ha, ha, I like that--you! Did your _mater_ ever hear about _corpore_being the ablative masculine, eh?"

"No, I never heard about that, " said my mother. 

"All right--Sarah will tell you--where was I, oh--down in form order, though he's not quite such a crock as Coxhead, who is champion dunce inLow Heath--"

"Me?" exclaimed Coxhead, warm with tea and indignation. 

"There you are, " said Langrish, "anybody but a champion dunce would havesaid 'I. ' You ask Sarah's _mater_ if they wouldn't. "

"Well, _you_, if you like, " said Coxhead; "what about it--"

"Look here, how can I read the minutes when--here we are--'crock asCoxhead, who is champion dunce in Low Heath. '"

"What happened then?" said my mother, looking a little mixed. 

"'He was shunted to an outside berth, and was out of it. '"

"I rather think I was in it, " said I; "never mind. "

"Oh, if you think so, all right. The minutes say you were out of it. 'He'd not begun to snore many minutes with deafening effect, when, asmight be expected, Jarman set fire to the show to stop the noise. '"

"Do you think that's why he did it, really?" asked Warminster. 

"Look here, young Warminster. I don't _think_, I--"

"Pity you don't now and then, " remarked the newly-elected president. 

Langrish looked hard at his colleague, and then glanced at my mother, whose face was bent over her work. Whereupon the secretary threw theminute-book at the president's head, and observed, --

"Look out, Warminster; hand up that book, can't you--it's not yours. "

My mother looked up, and Warminster meekly surrendered the book. 

"'--Stop the noise. The club then adjourned, all except Sarah, who hungon, contrary to the rules, and is hereby fined 2 shillings 6 pence. '"

"Oh, I say, " protested I, "that's rather rough, isn't it?"

"'But, '" proceeded Langrish, "'owing to his mother coming up to buy himoff, he is hereby let off with a fie-- I mean a warning. '"

"Thank you so much, " said my mother, gratefully. 

"'When we thought he was pretty well warmed up, we sent Tempest in tofish him out, which he accordingly did, and is hereby elected honoraryporter to the club, and is backed to win the Mile. '"

"That's the least he deserves, surely, " said my mother, with feeling. 

"'Sarah, owing to this unprincipled conduct, has been suspended for amonth, and the club hereby hopes some day not far off to see him sus--'no, that's wrong--I mean--"

"Hung, " suggested Trimble, in an audible whisper. 

"Order--turn him out for saying hung, instead of hanged, " said thepresident. 

"Shut up, can't you?" said the secretary, "can't you let me finish thesentence? '--See him sus--susceptible of better emotions. '"

"Hear, hear, " said the club, breathing again to see the corner turned. 

"I hope that's not all, " said my mother. 

"That's as far as we've got; but we'll let him down easy in the next, "said Langrish. 

"The next will have the account of the Sports, I suppose, " said mymother. 

"If our men win, " said Warminster. "We're bound to win the High Jump ifLangrish keeps on his form; he did 4 feet 1 and a half inches thisafternoon. "

"You needn't talk--you're all right for the 100 Yards, " said the modestLangrish; "there's no one in, except young Brown of the day cads, whocan touch you; and he's sure to go a mucker on the day. "

"Don't be too sure of that, " said I. "Dicky Brown doesn't go muckers ifhe can help it. "

"There you are--backing the town cads now. I move, and Mrs Jonesseconds, that Sarah be, and is hereby, kic--I mean sat upon by theclub. "

"Oh, don't, please, " said my mother, "the bed is not strong enough. "

"All right--it's lucky for Sarah. If you were half a chap you'd see wedidn't lose the Quarter-mile. Rackstraw will have a look in at it, butit'll puzzle him to beat Flitwick. Walsh is going to cut out for him. So we may just do it; but it'll be a go--eh, paupers?"

Rackstraw and Walsh both protested there would be no difficulty about itif only the track was in good order, and their wind held out, andFlitwick muddled his start, and finished a yard or two behind. We wereall prepared to stake the glory of Sharpe's on these triflingconditions. 

Presently the preparation bell began to toll, and the party broke upwith a cordiality and cheerfulness which contrasted strangely with thesolemnity with which it had begun. My mother was politely requested tobecome an honorary member of the club, and as politely consented, expressing a hope that she might meet with its honourable members manytimes again. 

When they had gone she told me how much she had enjoyed the evening, andhow she liked every one of them, and hoped they wouldn't think her rudeto have laughed now and then, but really, she said, not being used toit, she could not help it. 

Next day she left, and, dismally enough, I made the first use of myliberty to accompany her in the fly to the station. She talked to me, as only she could, about the future, and the spirit in which she thoughtI would take up once more the work of the term and the thankfulnesswhich she the widow, and I the orphan, could not help feeling to theHeavenly Father, who had saved us both from such peril and sorrow in thepast. She urged me to show my gratitude for my escape, by seeking tofollow more closely in the footsteps of that Saviour to whom she had sooften taught me to look for help and guidance, and at the same time sheurged me to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Her goodness onlymade my sorrow at parting the greater; and more than any time since Ihad entered Low Heath, the pangs of home-sickness fell upon me as I sawher into her carriage. 

Just before the train started I felt my heart beat suddenly, and theblood rush to my cheeks, as I saw a figure, with one hand in a sling, running up the platform, looking into one carriage after another. 

"Mother, here's Tempest!"

Next moment he saw us, and ran up. 

"I heard you were going by this train, " said he, "and I thought I wouldlike to say good-bye. "

"Good-bye, my dear boy, and God bless you once more!"

"The youngster's all right again, I see, " said he, putting his hand onmy arm. "I'll see he takes care of himself--good-bye. "

And the train steamed off, leaving us two on the platform. 

"I hope your hand's not awfully bad, " said I, breaking a silence ofnearly three months in the only way which occurred for the moment. 

"Rather not. We'd better cab it back--you're not up to walking yet. "

"Thanks awfully, Tempest, for saving--"

"Look here, don't let's get on to that, " said he. 

"I say, " said I, "I was afraid you believed what Crofter said, andthought--"

"You were an ass, Tommy--you always were--I ought to have remembered it. Of course I never believed a word Crofter said--I saw his game. But Iwas idiot enough to get riled at you for giving yourself away to him. I'm sorry. Now let's forget it. After all, it was the best thing forme that all that row about my bills came out when it did. You did me abetter turn than you meant to do. Just like you--if you try to dothings the right way, it's all up with everybody. But if you do themyour own way, they manage to come round somehow. "

"But Crofter's done you out of the captaincy. "

"So much the better--I didn't deserve it. I'll get it back some dayperhaps, and work it better. Come in to me to tea. Redwood's coming, and old Dicky, too. "

"But you're against Redwood for the Mile, " said I. 

"That's no reason why I shouldn't give him a cup of tea, is it, youyoung mule?"

The way he said it, and the grip of his hand on my arm, satisfied methat all was square once more between me and my dear old Dux. 

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. 

A DEAD HEAT. 

The few weeks during which I had been laid up had witnessed some curiouschanges in Low Heath--at least, they seemed curious to me, dropping, asI did, suddenly into them. 

First of all, we poor "Sharpers" were all burnt out. The faggery was nomore, nor was the hall, or the dormitory. We were being put uptemporarily in a town house just outside the school gates, a good dealto the wrath of some of our number, who felt it was putting them down tothe level of the day boys. However, the sight of the scaffolding roundour old quarters, and the cheery clink of the trowel, reminded us thatout exile was not for long, and that in a brand-new faggery, on brand-new chairs, and round a brand-new table, we should shortly resume ourpleasant discussions on the deepest questions with which the human mindcan occupy itself. 

Somehow, apart from the fire, things weren't going exactly as I had leftthem. Pridgin was reported to be working hard--a most alarming symptom. It was commonly surmised that he could not stand playing second orthird fiddle to Crofter; and as Tempest was apparently content to besecond, Pridgin had come to the painful conclusion that the onlycomfortable place for him in Sharpe's was Number One. It was extremelyinconvenient all round; for it made it necessary for Crofter to bestirhimself, while of course it seemed to threaten Tempest's chance ofrecovering his place. 

A few of the shrewdest held that Pridgin was merely forcing the pace inorder to punish Crofter for his usurpation. It may have been so; but, whatever the motive, it quite upset the normal flow of things atSharpe's. 

Another change was a marked reaction of public opinion in favour ofTempest and against Crofter. This was probably due, in the first place, to Tempest's exploit in rescuing me from the fire; and secondly, toCrofter's caution in declining to enter for the Mile race at the comingSports. A few weeks had dispelled the little glamour which the latterhad derived from his apparently public-spirited conduct last term, andthe attitude of the Philosophers had effectually deprived him of anyopportunity of exercising his authority, and left him to the enjoymentof an altogether barren honour. 

One other change was that Tempest's necessity to live very economicallyin order to repay his grandfather for advances made, had produced acoolness between him and Wales, who had now retired from thetriumvirate, and attached himself to the cause of Crofter. 

Lastly, Mr Jarman had suffered a shock, and taken on badly about hisaccidental part in the recent fire. It had knocked all the vice out ofhim, for the time being at any rate, and left him quite meek and limp. 

Just now, however, the only topic about which any one cared was, as Ispeedily discovered, the Sports. 

Unusual keenness was being displayed everywhere. The seniors weredeeply concerned in the issue of the Mile. Would Redwood, who hadhitherto held his own easily, save his laurels this time? WouldTempest, with his damaged hand, be able to run his hardest? Would anydark horse, at the last moment, enter to divide the interest? And soon. 

Among the middle boys considerable excitement was afoot, especially inSelkirk's house, where it was reported a boy of fifteen and a half wasgoing to beat the senior record in the Jump, and perhaps run the publicschool record very close. 

But the chief excitement was among us juniors. We had modestly setbefore ourselves the task of winning every event under fifteen forSharpe's house, to say nothing of pulling the day boys over the chalk inthe Tug of War, and generally bringing the Philosophers well before thepublic notice. The secret of our intention had been well-kept tillwithin a week of the day. We had been taunted with shirking our sports, with being "mugs" and "crocks" and "cripples, " with exercising thebetter part of valour, with being afraid of being laughed at, and soforth. But we heard all with a conscious wink, and went on with ourpractice round the corner. Then, a week from the day, we literallypelted the list with our names. 

Langrish put down for the High Jump, Cricket Ball, Broad Jump, andHurdles. Warminster set down his name under Dicky Brown's for theHundred Yards, and next to Griswold's for the Hurdles. Coxhead enteredfor the Cricket Ball against the crack thrower in Selkirk's, andRackstraw and Walsh, noble pair of "paupers, " put in for the Quarter-mile, which I was to have run against the fleet-footed Flitwick. Altogether it was a big order, and made the other houses look a littleblue, as we hoped it would. 

The great day came at last--a perfect Sports day, with a light breezeblowing, the track like elastic, the takes-off clean and sharp, and thefield crammed with visitors and friends. I had my work cut out for methat day. It would have been far less exertion to run the Quarter-mile. I was to be coat-minder, time-keeper, rubber-down, straight-tipper, clapper-on-the-back, and bottle-holder to the Conversation Club atlarge, a sort of mixture of parent, footman, and retriever dog, which, flattering as it undoubtedly was to my sense of my own importance, promised no little anxiety and exercise before the day was done. 

As I strolled down somewhat early, charged with the pleasing commissionof "bagging nine seats in the middle of the front row of the stand andseeing no one collared them, " I met Redwood, fresh as a daisy, justreturning from a final inspection of the ground. 

"Hullo, youngster, you're not running, I hear. What a pity!"

"It doesn't matter, " said I. "Do you mind my not backing you for theMile?"

He laughed, and said he should have thought poorly of me if I had notbacked my own man. 

"Is his hand all right now?" he asked. 

"He says so, " said I. "It's worth six yards to you, though. "

"You think so, do you?" said he. "By the way, will you do a job for me?My two young sisters awfully want to be on the ground, and they've gotleave if some one will look after them. I can't. How would you liketo?"

Here was a thunderbolt! I had a fair day's work mapped out for myselfas it was. Now I was to be saddled with a pair of teasing young femalefidgets, and held responsible for their good behaviour and generalcomfort! What did people take me for? Why, the Mile itself wouldn'ttake it out of me half as much. 

"All right, " said I, "where are they?"

"I'm going home; I'll send them down sharp before the crowd comes. Thanks awfully, youngster. "

And off he went, leaving me pretty full up with the cares of thisdeceitful world. 

I proceeded to bag the nine best seats on the stand, which, as nobodyelse had yet put in an appearance, was easy enough without the tryingnecessity of sitting on them all at the same time. When the crowdarrived, it would be time enough to consider how I should then have toact. 

I had not been long in possession when two dainty little figures in pinkbore down hand-in-hand upon me, presumably under the protection of anurse, who, however, was not in it when it came to racing. 

"There's horrid Sarah, " remarked Mamie, "who tried to drown me. "

"Never mind, " said Gladys, "he was nearly burned to death to punish himfor being wicked. "

"I hate him because he never gives us sweeties, " said Mamie. 

"Never mind, " said Gladys; "Bobby says it's not his fault that he's amule. I don't like mules though, do you?"

"I hate them, " said the uncompromising Mamie. 

"Please, Master Jones, " said the nurse, "the mistress says will you seethe young ladies behave nicely and don't dirty their frocks? Be goodgirls now, " she added, by way of final admonition, as she departed. 

I watched her go with the helpless despair of a man on a spar whowatches the lifeboat put off with its last load for the shore. Theyoung ladies, almost before nurse was gone, began to run along the rowsof chairs, falling down once in twelve, and rapidly toning down thepretty pink of their frocks to a sombre brick hue. I was thankful whenthe crowd began to drop in, and I was able, by threats of taking themhome before the races began, to reduce them at least to the nine seatsfor which I was responsible. How I wished I had some sweets, in orderto reduce them to only three!

By good luck Dicky Brown hove in sight just as I was giving way todespair. 

"Dicky, old chap, " said I, "if you love me, get sixpennyworth of bulls'-eyes or something. I'd be grateful to you as long as I live. "

Dicky looked at me anxiously--evidently concerned for my health. But ajerk of my head in the direction of the two little vixens, who were justthen trying to pull a solemn-looking day boy off one of the chairs bymain force, satisfied him that the case was an urgent one, and, like abrick, he flew off to the rescue. 

The solemn day boy stood his persecution as long as he could, and thenrounded sharply on his persecutors. 

"Bother you, go away!" he growled. 

Whereupon in floods of tears, the Misses Redwood made for me, andinsisted on being taken up one on each knee and "cosseted" because ofwhat the big ugly boy had done. 

I complied with the energy of despair, conscious that in so doing I wasallowing the reserved seats one by one to be usurped, and was at thesame time rendering myself a spectacle of contempt to at least eightyoung persons, whom, in the gap left between the two wet faces whichclung to my either cheek, I could see advancing in a body, clad inrunning drawers and blazers, in our direction. 

It was vain for me to try to escape from my false position. The nearerthe Philosophers approached, the more maudlin and effusive theseunprincipled young females became, flinging their arms tragically roundmy neck, and bedaubing my face with their dewy kisses. 

"Sarah _can_ go it a bit when he likes, " said Langrish, with a cheerfulguffaw, standing in a conspicuous place, and calling public attention tome in a way which only added to my sorrows. 

"Rather. I wondered why he went down so early, " said Coxhead. 

"Birds of a feather, " said the sententious Trimble, "play the fooltogether. I say, what about our seats, though?"

"They are bagged, " said I, getting my face clear for a moment. "Icouldn't keep them. "

"I dare say. You mean you were so busy spooning about with girls younever thought of it. All right, Miss Molly, " said Warminster. 

"I think we could squash up a bit here, " said I meekly. 

"Looks as if _you_ could, " said Langrish. "Squash away then. " And, tothe wrath and indignation of the whole stand, the Philosophers crowdedin, in a solid phalanx, and proceeded to accommodate their eight personsin the space usually allotted to two. It took some time for the otherseat-holders to appreciate the humour of the manoeuvre, and before thenthe bell had rung for the first race, and Dicky had returned with thebrandy-balls, which he deftly smuggled into my hand as he trotted past. 

It was now easy to "square" the Misses Redwood, who for a blessed half-hour cried truce. It was in vain that I suggested that they had betternot plaster their faces and frocks more than could be helped with thesticky substance of their succulent pabulum. They contemptuouslyignored my right to make any suggestion of the kind, and I finallyabandoned them to their fate. 

The first few events were trial heats, in which we as a body were notspecially interested; but when the bell rang up for the Hundred Yardsunder fifteen, the Sports had begun for us in earnest. 

Leaving the two Daughters of Eve with the bag of brandy-balls betweenthem, I clambered out of my place to perform the last rites forWarminster, who was to carry the colours of Sharpe's against Dicky Brownof the day boys, Muskett of Selkirk's, and another outsider. 

It went a little to my heart to be rubbing down somebody else's calvesbut Dicky's on an occasion like this. But such is life. Patriotismgoes before friendship, and times do come when one must wish confusionto one's dearest brother. 

So I rubbed down one of Warminster's calves while Trimble rubbed theother, and Langrish gave him a word of advice about his start, andCoxhead arranged to call on him for his spurt twenty yards from thefinish. With the exception of the other evening when he arrived at mymother's party I had never seen Warminster so meek and nervous. Hebehaved exactly as if we were taking a last farewell, and would, Ithink, have embraced us had we encouraged him to do so. 

"Now then, " said Langrish, "give us your blazer. Bend well over yourtoes for the start, and do it all in a breath. "

"Run straight on your track, and don't try to take the other chaps'water, " said Trimble. 

"Don't look round at me when I yell, but bucket all you can, " saidCoxhead. 

"Don't pull up till after the pistol has gone, " said I. Then we lefthim to his work. 

And well enough he did it. He and Dicky went off at the start as ifthey'd been shot out of a double-barrelled gun, Dicky with his headdown, our man with his head up. That was what saved him; half-way overDicky had to get his chin up, and it lost him a sixteenth of a second, and that meant six inches. Selkirk's man made an ugly rush thirty yardsfrom home, but he began it too soon. Warminster wisely waited till heheard Coxhead's shrill "Gee-up" in his ear. Then he laid on and madehis six inches eight, and his eight ten, and landed so much in front ofDicky amid cheers which, if the clouds had been a little lower, wouldhave assuredly brought on a shower. 

One score to us! I was sorry for Dicky, but it couldn't be helped. "It's your fault, " said he, "the brandy-balls did it. I took one, youknow; never mind. I say, look at your kids!"

The "kids" in question had finished the brandy-balls, and, resenting mydesertion, had decided to follow me into the open. As I had reached itby swarming over the front of the stand and dropping a foot or so on tothe earth, they naturally selected that route as most suitable for them. They had half accomplished it, to the extent of getting over the edgeof the low parapet and beginning to lower themselves on the outside, when Mamie's frock caught in a nail, which suspended her between heavenand earth, while Gladys, in her uncertainty whether to scream or assist, had toppled to the ground all of a heap, and solved the difficulty thatway. Their screeches almost put our loyal cheers to the blush, and whenI rushed up to extricate the one and pick up the other, I was in thecentre of a hullaballoo which almost threatened to wreck the Sports. How they quieted down I know not. I believe it was my announceddetermination to walk them straight home which did it. At any rate, itwas clear to me there was no more rubbing down of Sharpe's calves for methat day. I must remain, like Casabianca, on deck, even though it costus all the events of the day. 

It was a thankless task. First of all there was the usual ceremony of"cosseting" and drying tears. Then with a pin I had to mend the rent inMamie's frock. Then I had to kiss both of Gladys's elbows to make themwell, and finally I had to stand a fusillade of chaff and jeers from thePhilosophers, which made life a heavier burden that it was already. 

At last, to my joy, the bell rang up for the High Jump under fifteen, and public attention was diverted from my lamentable case. 

As everybody who knew anything had anticipated, Langrish won this, metaphorically speaking, "on his head. " He knocked out the second man(a Selkirker) at 4 feet and half an inch, and went on gamely 2 incheshigher, clearing the bar as prettily and daintily as Wales himself mighthave done in the open event. It was not at all certain he could nothave gone higher against an opponent; but having no such spur, he grewcareless, and after barely shaking down the bar twice at 4 feet 3inches, kicked it off awkwardly the third time, and so retired an easyvictor, and quite overcome by the applause of the now crowded field. 

Then came the event of the day--the Open Mile, for which Tempest andRedwood were the only combatants. I felt myself growing as nervous asif I were running myself. 

For my instinct told me that the welfare of Sharpe's more or less hungon the issue. Could Tempest but win, there would be no doubt that hewould return to the headship of the house with an eclat which evenCrofter would have to yield to. If not, Crofter might still hang on tothe reins and claim his doubtful rights. 

A complication of an unexpected kind arose now. The Misses Redwood werequite sufficiently _au fait_ with the etiquette of a race-course to knowthat if their brother ran he must win, and that everybody else must wishhim to win. In an unguarded moment I joined in the cheer which greetedTempest as he appeared stripped for action on his way to the starting-post. This was taken up as a grievous personal affront. The youngladies repudiated and flung me from them with an energy and disgustwhich quite astonished me. They loudly clamoured for my removal, andfailing that, made a concerted retreat from my detested vicinity. 

"Nasty horrid Sarah, go away!" they shouted. 

Then spying Dicky Brown in the distance, they shrieked on him to deliverthem. 

"Want to go _to Dicky_--dear Dicky. Get away from Sarah. "

And suiting the action to the word they swarmed over the back of thebench, and started in full cry for the enviable Dicky. 

Richard, however, was an old bird for his years, and did not, orpretended not to hear their siren voices, and sheered off into the openjust in the nick of time. Whereupon the Misses Redwood redoubled theirclamour, and could only be allured back to the shelter of my fatiguedwing by my going to them and audibly bawling in their faces, "Bravo, Redwood! go it, Redwood!"

On these terms they surrendered, and the difficulty, at the cost indeedof my reputation as a loyal "Sharper" was temporarily tided over. 

It was noticed that Tempest, though cool as ever, was pale, and carriedhis left hand, while he stood waiting, in the opening of his waistcoat. I saw Redwood go to him and say something, pointing as he did so to thehand. Tempest's reply was a flush and a laugh as he removed his handfrom its resting-place, and waved it about at his side. 

I did not like it. But it was too late now. Mr Jarman stood readywith his pistol up, the noise of the field suddenly changed to silence, and the two athletes, with arms out, stood straining on the line. 

Off! It was a good start, and the pace was startling for a mile. Tempest had the inside track. He seemed to have the advantage inlightness of step, while Redwood's strength was more in length ofstride. The first of the four laps was run almost inch for inch. Perhaps Tempest, thanks to his berth, had a foot to the good as theyentered on the second. Here our man forged ahead slowly, and graduallydrew to a clear lead. But we trembled as we saw it. Would he stay?Apparently he ran as lightly as before, but Redwood, as he lay on at hisheels, seemed to be going even easier. However, the half-mile sawTempest three yards ahead and still going. Then, to our concern, we sawRedwood's stride lengthen a little, and watched inch after inch of theinterval shrink, until at the end of the third lap there was scarcelymore difference than there had been at the end of the first. Yet ourman was still to the front. 

And now it was almost difficult for us onlookers to breathe, for the tugwas at hand. The fourth lap had scarcely begun when a wild yell calledattention to the fact that Tempest was once more "putting it on. " Whatwas still more satisfactory was that he was going as well as ever, although in that respect so was Redwood. The gap opened again, the footgrew to a yard, and the yard to half a dozen, and the half-dozen to-- Atlast! It was but two hundred yards from home when Redwood's stride oncemore lengthened out, and a new shout told us all that the chasm was oncemore being filled up, inch by inch and foot by foot. Tempest heard theshout and knew what it meant. He, _too_, lengthened his stride, andseemed as if he was going to answer rush for rush. But our hearts stoodstill and our tongues clave to the roofs of our mouths as we perceivedthat it would not come off. He could barely keep up his present pace. Would it see him through? Perhaps half the distance was passed, andRedwood had only recovered a third of his lead. Then the yells brokeout. Every one wished he could lend his man an inch, or the hundredthpart of an inch. Redwood's rush increased, and the vanishing inchesstruck panic into our philosophic breasts. Could Tempest but hold outthese few yards, we were safe. He would! No! Yes! No, they're allbut level another six yards. Then suddenly we saw Tempest fling hishand behind and reel forward with a blind stagger over the tape, and asthe simultaneous report proclaimed a dead heat, fall sprawling andhelpless on the ground. 

The cheers died on our lips, for it was surely something more thanexhaustion or broken wind. Redwood was beside him in a moment, and drewhis head on his knee. It was a dead faint--not from fatigue, but frompain. 

His burned and blistered hand, which he had so carefully concealed fromeverybody, and of which he had made so little, betrayed the secretplainly enough. 

For once his pride and determination had overrated his physicalstrength. He had calculated on just being able to win the race. All hehad done was just to save it, at a price which, as it turned out, was tocost him weeks of illness, and even threaten the loss of a hand. 

The news of his calamity spread like wildfire, and put an end, as far asI at least was concerned, to the sports for the day. 

We heard later in the day that he was in the Sanatorium in a high fever. Next day he was delirious, and the notice on the board told us that thedoctor considered his condition dangerous. The next day, his oldgrandfather, the only relative he had, came down, and the next, summonedby my urgent message, my dear mother. Then for a day or two we werekept in suspense, till one happy afternoon the bulletin reported achange for the better, and presently the welcome news came that alldanger was past. 

For me at least that was the happiest day of my life, except perhapsthat a week later when my mother as a special privilege allowed me tosee him for a moment. 

He was sitting up in bed, smiling but pale. 

"Tell me, " he said, "I've never heard yet, did I win the Mile?"

"Dead heat, " said I. 

"What time?"

"Four four and a half. "

"A record, isn't it? It was worth the grind. "

I had my doubts, but knew better than to say so. 

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. 

A GOOD SHOW-UP ALL ROUND. 

It was the last day but one of the Summer term, and the Philosopherswere in a ferment. The lists were to be out in the afternoon, and ascore of events were to be decided by them. Was I to get on to the topform of my division, and if so, was it Langrish or Purkis who was to bedisplaced? Or was I, after all my grind, to yield a place to thetruculent Coxhead?

More than that, was Warminster to be beaten after all by a day boycalled Dicky Brown, who, amid all the changes and distractions of theterm, had stuck doggedly to his work, and was reported a hot man for thehead place in the junior division?

All this was exciting enough, but it was as nothing to the tussle at thehead of the school. 

Pridgin's alarming burst of work in the Easter term had, contrary to allexpectation, not died out. Every one prophesied he would sicken of it. Wales laughed at him. Crofter smiled sweetly. Tempest inquiredfrequently after his health, and even Redwood knocked off some of hisextra cricket to keep pace with it. 

"What are you trying to do?" asked Tempest one day, as his friend lookedin. 

"Nothing, my dear fellow, only amusing myself, I assure you. "

"You have a queer idea of fun. Do you know, I've hardly been out on theriver all the term, owing to you. "

"Don't let me prevent you, old chap. The exercise will do you good. "

Tempest laughed. 

"I hope yours will do you good. But two can play at your game. "

"Two! Half a dozen. --I've not got my knife into _you_, though. "

"Who? Crofter?"

"Rather. I see no other way of taking it out of him. He shirks sports, and takes his pound of flesh out of the captaincy, although he knowshe's no right to it, and no one, not even the rowdies in the faggery, respects him. "

"That's why we're going steady, " said I, "just to rile him. "

"The only way to take it out of him is to make him sit up, and harryhim, " said the amiable Pridgin. "I only hope, though, it won't land mehead of the house. I'm depending on you to beat me. But I'm not goingto play second fiddle to Crofter. "

"It will serve you right if it does land you head, " responded Tempest. "If it does, we'll have to keep you up to the mark and see you don'tshirk. "

"Don't say that, old chap, or I shall jack it up, " said Pridgin, puttinghis feet upon the window-ledge. "Besides, does it occur to you thatRedwood's leaving, and that the second man up, if he's one of us, isleft not only captain of Sharpe's but captain of Low Heath?"

"I know, " said Tempest quietly, "but they say Leslie of Selkirk's is inthe running for that. "

"Stuff and nonsense!" retorted Pridgin. "Tempest of Sharpe's is the manfor my money. "

Tempest laughed again; but it was a sort of laugh which did not bodewell for Leslie of Selkirk's. 

This talk had been a fortnight ago. Since then the examinations hadcome and gone. The Philosophers, sobered and perspiring, had beenspread out at two-desk intervals on three fatal days in the large hall, with day boys to right of them and Selkirkers to left, writing for theirlives, and groaning over questions which only a fiend could havedevised, and only a double-first could have answered. How I had got on, I could no more tell than the man in the moon. My comrades, when wecompared notes afterwards, cheerfully assured me that, out of some fiftyquestions on the three days, I had possibly got half a question right, but that that was doubtful, and depended on the particular crib theexaminer swore by. Redwood, to whom I confided some of my answers, thought rather more hopefully of my case, and told me to keep my spiritsup. Tempest said that if he were to cuff me for every discreditableblunder I had made, I should have ear-ache for a month. Dicky, on theother hand, confessed that he wished he could believe he had done aswell as I. 

As for the other Philosophers, general discouragement was the order ofthe day. It was moved and seconded that Coxhead be kicked for havingmade "amnis" feminine, and having translated the French "impasse" as"instep. " And Trimble was temporarily suspended from the service of theConversation Club because he had put a decimal dot in the wrong place. Public feeling ran so high that any departure from the rules of syntaxor algebra was regarded as treason against the house, and dealt withaccordingly. 

On the whole, therefore, we were glad when the time of suspense came toan end. 

How matters had gone with the seniors it was even more difficult tosurmise than it had been in our case. The day after the end of theirexams. , Redwood and Tempest, with Pridgin to cox, rowed twelve milesdown stream and back, and returned cheerful and serene, and evenjocular. Leslie of Selkirk's also spent a pleasant afternoon in theschool laboratory, whistling to himself as he mixed up his acids. Crofter and Wales mooned about under the trees in the field somewhatlimply, but showed no outward signs of distress. Altogether, speculation was baffled, and it was almost irritating to find the chiefactors in the drama refusing to take the momentous question seriously. 

"How did you get on?" I asked Tempest. 

"You'll hear to-morrow, " said he; "so shall I. "

"Do you think you'll beat Leslie?"

"Either that, or he'll beat me, or it'll be a dead heat, " said he. 

There was no dealing with frivolity of this kind; and Tempest, eversince his recovery last term, had been rapidly regaining all his oldfrivolity and lightheartedness. 

It was a trying ordeal on "Result" day, sitting patiently in hall tillthe doctor made up his mind to appear. All the school was there. Therewas an unusual spirit of orderliness afoot. The few irresponsible ones, who, with nothing to lose, tried to get up a disturbance, were promptlysquashed by the grim, anxious competitors to whom the coming resultsmeant so much. We Philosophers huddled together for comfort, but not ajoke travelled down the line. We sat and drummed our fingers on thedesk before us, and wondered why on earth the doctor, on a day likethis, should take such an unearthly time to put on his cap and gown. 

At last he appeared, paper in hand, and glasses on nose. I could seeDicky just in front of me catch a quick breath, and Tempest up in thefront brush his hair back with his fingers; and there arose before mymind in horrible review all the palpable blunders of my own examinationpapers. 

"Lower school, " began the doctor in a hard, dry, unemotional voice. "Aggregate form order--out of a possible 1000 marks, Brown iii. , dayboy, and Jones iv. , Mr Sharpe's, bracketed first with 853 marks. "

What! me? bracketed top with Dicky? Go along with you! But a hugethump on the back from Warminster, followed by a huger from Langrish;the vision of Dicky's consciously blushing cheeks, as Flitwick performedthe same office for him; and, above all, a nod across the room fromRedwood, and a grin from Tempest, convinced me that there was somethingin it after all. Of course it was a mistake, and when the marks came tobe counted again it would be put right. But while it lasted it wasn'tbad. What was the doctor saying?

"A very good performance, both of you; and the result of honest hardwork. "

It was true then? There was no humbug about it? Oh, I must write to mymother this very afternoon. 

"Warminster, Mr Sharpe's second, 836, good also; Corderoy, MrSelkirk's, third, 815; Langrish, Mr Sharpe's, fourth, 807; Trimble, MrSharpe's, sixth, 796; Purkis, Mr Sharpe's, seventh, 771; Coxhead, MrSharpe's, eighth, 734--(Mr Sharpe's boys have worked excellently thisterm);--Quin, day boy, ninth, 699; Rackstraw, Mr Sharpe's, tenth, 678. "

And so the list went on. I was too much lost in the wonder of my ownsuccess to appreciate all at once the glorious significance of the wholeresult. But as the Philosophers crowded in a little closer on oneanother, and the friendly nudge went round, it began to dawn on me. Every one of our men had given a good account of himself, even Coxheadand the "pauper" Rackstraw! Not one of the old gang but was eligiblefor the club; not one but had done something to "put the day boys andSelkirk's and everybody else to bed, " as Langrish said. 

"Just like your side, " said the latter to me, "trying to make out you'dmade a mess of it. You can only make a mess of it, young Sarah, whenyou try not to; when you do try you can't do it. " And with anotherthump on the back our excellent secretary gave me to know he bore me nomalice, but on the contrary was pleased to favour me with his generalapprobation. 

But more was yet to come. Compared with the "aggregates, " the detailsof how we had passed each examination were more or less tame, and wewere impatient to get on to the senior results. 

The middle school had to come first. As a rule we were not greatlyconcerned in them, except as belonging to the division into which someof us would probably be promoted next term. But such as they were, theykept up the credit of Sharpe's. A Selkirker did indeed head the list, but after him a string of four of our fellows followed; after them a dayboy, and then two more "Sharpers. "

More back patting, crowding up, conscious blushes, and congratulations. 

Then the doctor put down one paper and took up another; and every oneknew what was coming. 

"Upper school, " read the doctor in exactly the same voice, as if thisannouncement were of no more importance than any other. "Aggregate formorder--out of a possible 1000 marks, Redwood, captain of the school, andday boy, 902. "

We were obliged to interrupt a little here. There would not be manymore chances of cheering old Redwood, and we couldn't afford to chuckthem away. So we cheered, and gave the doctor time to polish up hisglasses and take a sip of water. 

"Your cheers, " said he, when at last we had relieved ourselves, "arewell-deserved. In addition to this capital result, Redwood takes theLow Heath scholarship to Trinity, where, I almost venture to prophesy, we shall hear even greater things of him some day. "

More cheers. But we were too impatient to hear what came next tointerpose too long a delay. 

"Tempest, Mr Sharpe's, second, 888; all the more gratifying when weremember the causes which interrupted his school work for a time lastterm. "

We fairly gave ourselves away now! Sharpe's had reached the top of thetide with a vengeance. There was an end to all uncertainty as to whowould be its captain; and there was the glorious certainty that thecaptain of Sharpe's would also be captain of Low Heath. Three cheers!Rather. 

But still we could not, till the rest of the list was read, giveourselves up to cheering for as long as we should have liked. So weallowed the doctor to proceed. 

"Pridgin, Mr Sharpe's, third, 869--very close. "

Good old Pridgin! All his discomfort had not been for nothing. He had"taken it out of" Crofter, after all. By how much?

"Leslie, Mr Selkirk's, fourth, 832. Wales, Mr Sharpe's, fifth, 801. Crofter, Mr Sharpe's, sixth, 769. "

A cool hundred between them! We had the decency not to rub it in toohard. It was clear by the disconcerted look in the face of our so-called captain that he was more surprised than any one. He smiled, ofcourse, and leant across to pat Pridgin on the back. But that was justhis way--we knew well enough that it cloaked a bitter mortification, andwhy worry the poor beggar with letting him see we noticed it?

So we waited till we got outside, and then let ourselves loose onTempest and Pridgin, and positively injured our voices with cheering. 

That afternoon in the faggery our jubilant review of the situation wascombined with a wind-up meeting of the Conversation Club for the term. 

"Jolly good show for us, " said Langrish. "Crofter's pretty sick, butit'll do him good. I move and third, and Sarah seconds and fourths, that we send him a resolution of condolence. "

"Better let him alone, " suggested I. 

"Shut up, or you'll get jolly well kicked out of the club, " said thesecretary. "If you don't want to be civil, it's no reason why weshouldn't. " I had imagined I was on the whole more concerned forCrofter's feelings than they, but, putting it in the way they did, Icould hardly resist. So the following resolution was solemnly drawn upand ordered to be conveyed to "The late Mr Crofter. "

"That this meeting of the Philosophical Conversation Club is herebyjolly glad to see Tempest cock of the house again, with Pridgin secondman up. It hereby condoles with Crofter in the jolly back seat he hasgot to take, and is sorry he shirked the Mile. It begs to inform himthat he is a hundred and eighteen marks behind Tempest, and trusts hewill in future obey the house captain, to whom all applications for_exeats_ and extra leave are to be addressed. Crofter need not troubleto reply, as the club only desires to have communication with the cockof the house. "

This done, I was ordered to take the chair as the new president, andcalled upon the secretary to read the minutes. 

These were short and to the point, --

"'A general meeting of the Conversation Club was held on Monday in theExamination Hall. With his usual mulishness, Sarah thought he'd have acut in, and it was resolved to give him a chance. Thanks to thedrivelling idiotcy of Warminster, who doesn't even know the femininegenitive of _corpus_, he scraped through; and, as he couldn't do muchworse than Coxhead, he did a shade better. '"

"All very well, " growled Coxhead, "he did a jolly sight better thanyou. "

"'Coxhead, who is hereby expelled for using slang, was, as usual, downwith the paupers at the bottom. A town cad called Brown, who managed toconceal his cribs, came out first, and it was decided to tack Sarah onto him. Trimble, as might be expected, came a cropper in his Englishgrammar--'"

"A cram! They never examined us in it!"

"There you are; you don't even know it when you see it--'came a cropperin his English grammar. '"

"I tell you I didn't, " expostulated Trimble. "Shut up. "

"Shut what up?"

"Yourself. "

"Come and shut me. "

A warm argument ensued, which knocked over the table, and was onlycomposed by my reminding the club that we didn't want to disturb thepeace of the new cock of the house on his first night. 

"All right, " said Langrish, "where was I?--'English grammar. Purkis, not having paid his subscription, naturally came out too low to beclassed, but to give him a lift he was allowed to be stuck in betweenTrim and Coxhead, who being outsiders at the best of times, had plentyof room for another. '"

"All very well--what sort of howler did _you_ come?" asked the outragedPurkis. 

"'It being considered well to stick one Selkirker into the list, thehon. Secretary made room for Corderoy, and is hereby thanked on hisretirement. '"

"Hullo!" said I, "don't say that, Langrish. "

"Fact is, " said Langrish, dropping the minutes, "I've got to. I've gonedown, you see. "

"Oh, but you've worked like a cart-horse. I move, Trim seconds, Warminster thirds, Coxhead fourths, Purkis fifths, and the pauperssixth, that old Lang be and hereby is perpetual secretary of thePh. C. C. , and that it's all rot his retiring. "

"Oh, all serene, " said Langrish, evidently pleased. "That's your look-out. Where was I?--'thanked on his retirement, but as nobody else canread his writing, he is hereby asked to hang on, which he hereby does. The meeting then adjourned. '"

We decided to celebrate the evening by a state tea, as which the usualloyal and patriotic toasts were given; of which I will only trouble thereader with one, that delivered by Warminster, the late president. 

"It's a sell, of course, getting down; but we all had a good look in, and Sal's come out best man this once. We aren't going to jack it upthough, and he'll have to mind his eye (cheers). After all, what withthe mess he made over Tempest's bills (loud cheers), and the shindyabout the guy, and all that rot about the barge, he's shown he's fit forthe job (laughter). But he'll have to make a good show-up for Sharpe'snow, or we'll let him know. We've scored a bit of a record, and wedon't want to fool it away (loud cheers), and any fellow who doesn't putit on doesn't deserve to be a Ph. C. C. Or anything like (prolongedapplause). Gentlemen, with these remarks I beg to give the health of'the army and navy and reserve forces' (loud cheers). "

The "reserve forces" were the most striking feature, after all, aboutthe wind-up of the Conversation Club that night. 

Before I went to bed I looked in at Tempest's study, where, to mydelight, I found Dicky Brown. 

"Hullo, I was just coming to fetch you, " said the new captain. "Don'tyou think this a pretty good show for old Plummer?"

"Rather, " said Dicky. "I wonder how he's getting on!"

"And I wonder if the pond is full up again yet. "

"By the way, " said Tempest, "I've never hided you for collaring thatpistol of mine. I may as well do it now. "

"Fire away, " said I; "I don't mind taking a licking from the captain ofLow Heath. "

"It sounds queer, doesn't it?" said Tempest, disarmed by thiscompliment. "Between you and me, kids, I think we ought to be able tomake the thing work next term. "

"Rather, " said I, "only we shall have to keep sitting up to do it. "

"So much the better, " said they. 

THE END.