,,officers ,,of ,,the ,,national ,,council4 ,honorary ,president1 ,,the ,,hon4 ,,woodrow ,,wilson ,honorary ,vice-,president1 ,,hon4 ,,william ,h4 ,,taft ,honorary ,vice-,president1 ,,colonel ,,theodore ,,roosevelt ,president1 ,,colin ,h4 ,,livingstone1 ,washington1 ,d4 ,c4 ,vice-,president1 ,b4 ,l4 ,,dulaney1 ,bristol1 ,tenn4 ,vice-,president1 ,,milton ,a4 ,mc,r,a,e1 ,detroit1 ,mich4 ,vice-,president1 ,,david ,,stark ,,jordan1 ,stanford ,university1 ,cal4 ,vice-,president1 ,f4 ,l4 ,,seely1 ,asheville1 ,n4 ,c4 ,vice-,president1 ,a4 ,,stamford ,,white1 ,chicago1 ,ill4 ,chief ,scout1 ,,ernest ,,thompson ,,seton1 ,greenwich1 ,connecticut ,national ,scout ,commissioner1 ,,daniel ,,carter ,,beard1 ,flushing1 ,n4 ,y4 ,,national ,,headquarters ,,boy ,,scouts ,,of ,,america ,,the ,,fifth ,,avenue ,,building1 #bjj ,,fifth ,,avenue ,,telephone ,,gramercy #edf ,,new ,,york ,,city ,,finance ,,committee ,john ,sherman ,hoyt1 ,chairman ,august ,belmont ,george ,d4 ,pratt ,mortimer ,l4 ,schiff ,h4 ,rogers ,winthrop ,,george ,d4 ,,pratt1 ,treasurer ,,james ,e4 ,,west1 ,chief ,scout ,executive ,,additional ,,members ,,of ,,the ,,executive ,,board ,ernest ,p4 ,bidwell ,robert ,garrett ,lee ,f4 ,hanmer ,john ,sherman ,hoyt ,charles ,c4 ,jackson ,prof4 ,jeremiah ,w4 ,jenks ,william ,d4 ,murray ,dr4 ,charles ,p4 ,neill ,george ,d4 ,porter ,frank ,presbrey ,edgar ,m4 ,robinson ,mortimer ,l4 ,schiff ,lorillard ,spencer ,seth ,sprague ,terry ,july #cast1 #aiac4 ,,to ,,the ,,public3-- ,in the execution of its purpose to give educational value and moral worth to the recreational activities of the boyhood of ,america1 the leaders of the ,boy ,scout ,movement quickly learned that to effectively carry out its program1 the boy must be influenced not only in his out-of-door life but also in the diversions of his other leisure moments4 ,it is at such times that the boy is captured by the tales of daring enterprises and adventurous good times4 ,what now is needful is not that his taste should be thwarted but trained4 ,there should constantly be presented to him the books the boy likes best1 yet always the books that will be best for the boy4 ,as a matter of fact1 however1 the boy's taste is being constantly vitiated and exploited by the great mass of cheap juvenile literature4 ,footer3 8,,do ,a ,,good ,,turn ,,daily40 over ,to help anxiously concerned parents and educators to meet this grave peril1 the ,library ,commission of the ,boy ,scouts of ,america has been organised4 ,,every ,,boy',s ,,library is the result of their labors4 ,all the books chosen have been approved by them4 ,the ,commission is composed of the following members3 ,george ,f4 ,bowerman1 ,librarian1 ,public ,library of the ,district of ,columbia1 ,washington1 ,d4 ,c42 ,harrison ,w4 ,graver1 ,librarian1 ,carnegie ,library of ,pittsburgh1 ,pa42 ,claude ,g4 ,leland1 ,superintendent1 ,bureau of ,libraries1 ,board of ,education1 ,new ,york ,city2 ,edward ,f4 ,stevens1 ,librarian1 ,pratt ,institute ,free ,library1 ,brooklyn1 ,new ,york2 together with the ,editorial ,board of our ,movement1 ,william ,d4 ,murray1 ,george ,d4 ,pratt and ,frank ,presbrey1 with ,franklin ,k4 ,mathiews1 ,chief ,scout ,librarian1 as ,secretary4 ,in selecting the books1 the ,commission has chosen only such as are of interest to boys1 the first twenty-five being either works of fiction or stirring stories of adventurous experiences4 ,in later lists1 books of a more serious sort will be included4 ,it is hoped that as many as twenty-five may be added to the ,library each year4 ,thanks are due the several publishers who have helped to inaugurate this new department of our work4 ,without their co-operation in making available for popular priced editions some of the best books ever published for boys1 the promotion of ,,every ,,boy',s ,,library would have been impossible4 ,we wish1 too1 to express our heartiest gratitude to the ,library ,commission1 who1 without compensation1 have placed their vast experience and immense resources at the service of our ,movement4 ,the ,commission invites suggestions as to future books to be included in the ,library4 ,librarians1 teachers1 parents1 and all others interested in welfare work for boys1 can render a unique service by forwarding to ,national ,headquarters lists of such books as in their judgment would be suitable for ,,every ,,boy',s ,,library4 ,signed ,signature3 ,james ,e4 ,west ,chief ,scout ,executive4 ,illustration3 ,,lawrence ,,launched ,,himself ,,and ,,hurled ,,the ,,runner ,,backward 7p4 #aid7 ,,every ,,boy',s ,,library--,,boy ,,scout ,,edition ,,the ,,jester ,,of ,,st4 ,,timothy',s ,by ,,arthur ,,stanwood ,,pier ,,author ,,of ,,boys ,,of ,,st4 ,,timothy',s1 ,,harding ,,of ,,st4 ,,timothy',s4 ,,etc4 ,,illustrated ,,new ,,york ,,grosset ,,dunlap ,,publishers ,,copyright1 #aiaa1 ,,by ,,arthur ,,stanwood ,,pier ,,all ,,rights ,,reserved ,published ,september #aiaa ,,contents ,i4 ,irving sets forth on his ,adventure #a ,,ii4 ,he achieves a ,name for ,himself #bf ,,iii4 ,westby's ,amusements #ec ,,iv4 ,the ,baiting of a ,master #ge ,v4 ,master turns ,pupil #if ,,vi4 ,the ,penalty for a ,foul #abj ,,vii4 ,the ,worm begins to turn #adb ,,viii4 ,the ,harvard ,freshman #aff ,,ix4 ,westby in the ,game #ahc ,x4 ,master and ,boy #bje ,,illustrations ,lawrence launched himself and hurled the runner backward 7p4 #aid7 ,frontispiece ,the canoes swung about and made for ,each ,other #eb ,as to who had won1 ,irving had not the ,slightest ,idea #adj ,a ,shadow crossed ,westby's ,face #bbj ,from drawings by ,b4 ,l4 ,bates ,,the ,,jester ,,of ,,st4 ,,timothy',s ,,chapter ,i ,,irving ,,sets ,,forth ,,on ,,his ,,adventure ,in the post-office of ,beasley's general store ,irving ,upton was eagerly sorting the mail4 ,his eagerness at that task had not been abated by the repeated1 the daily disappointments which it had caused him4 ,during the whole summer month for which he had now been in attendance as ,mr4 ,beasley's clerk1 the arrival of the mail had constituted his chief interest4 ,and because that for which he had been hoping had failed to come1 his thin face had grown more worried1 and the brooding look was more constantly in his eyes4 ,this afternoon his hand paused2 he looked at the superscription on an envelope unbelievingly4 ,the letter came from ,st4 ,timothy's ,school and was addressed to him4 ,he finished distributing the other letters among the boxes1 for people were waiting outside the partition2 then he opened the envelope and read the type-written enclosure4 ,a flush crept up over his cheeks1 over his forehead2 when he raised his eyes1 the brooding look was no longer in them1 but a quiet happiness instead1 and his lips1 which had so long been troubled1 were smoothed out in a faint1 contented smile4 ,he read the letter a second time1 then put it in his pocket1 and stepped round behind the counter to sell five cents' worth of pink gumdrops to little ,abby ,lawson4 ,when she had gone and the callers after mail had been satisfied1 ,irving sat down at the table in the back of the store4 ,he read the letter again and mused over it for a few moments contentedly2 then1 with it lying open before him1 he proceeded to write an answer4 ,after finishing that1 he drew from his pocket some papers--,french exercises1 done in a scrawling1 unformed hand4 ,it was the noon hour1 when the people of the village were all eating their dinners2 ,mr4 ,beasley had gone home1 and ,irving was undisturbed4 ,he helped himself to the crackers and dried beef which were his luncheon perquisites1 and with these at his elbow and nibbling them from time to time he set about correcting his brother's ,french4 ,he sighed in spite of the happiness which was pervading him2 would ,lawrence always go on confusing some of the forms of tre and avoir8 ,would he never learn to know the difference between ils ont and ils sont8 ,irving made his corrections in a neat1 pretty little hand1 which of itself seemed to reprove the student's awkward scrawl4 ,he turned then to his own studies1 which he was pursuing in a tattered volume of ,blackstone's ,commentaries on the ,english ,common ,law4 ,he did not get on very fast with this book1 and sometimes he wondered what bearing it could have on the practice of the law in ,ohio at the present time4 ,but he had been advised to familiarize himself with the work in the interval before he should enter a law school--an interval of such doubtful length6 ,mr4 ,beasley's entrance caused him to look up4 8,i shall be leaving you in less than a month now1 ,mr4 ,beasley10 he said4 8,got a job to teach1 have you80 asked the storekeeper4 8,yes--at ,st4 ,timothy's ,school40 8,where may that be80 8,up in ,new ,hampshire40 8,quite a ways off4 ,but ,i suppose you don't mind that much--having been away to college40 8,no1 ,i think ,i'll like it4 ,besides1--now ,lawrence will be able to go to college this fall1 and he and ,i will be pretty near each other4 ,we'll be able to spend our holidays together4 ,i think it's fine40 8,it does sound so10 agreed ,mr4 ,beasley4 8,well1 ,i'll be sorry to lose you1 ,irving4 ,the folks all like to have you wait on 'em2 you're so polite and tidy4 ,but ,i know clerking in a country store ain't much of a job for a college graduate1 and ,i'm glad you've found something better40 8,i'm glad if ,i've been of any use to you10 replied ,irving4 8,i know you didn't expect ,i would be when you took me in4 ,and your giving me this chance has meant that ,i could stay on here and tutor ,lawrence this summer and at the same time pay all my living expenses4 ,it's been more of a help than you know--to ,lawrence as well as to me40 8,you're both good boys10 said ,mr4 ,beasley4 8,but it seems like you're too shy and quiet ever to make much of a lawyer1 ,irving--or a teacher10 he added1 in candid criticism4 ,irving blushed4 8,maybe ,i'll get over that in time1 ,mr4 ,beasley40 8,you had better10 observed the storekeeper4 8,it's of no manner of use to anybody--not a particle4 ,lawrence1 now1 is different40 ,yes1 ,lawrence was different2 the fact impressed itself that evening on ,irving when his brother came home from the haying field with his uncle4 ,lawrence was big and ruddy and laughing2 ,irving was slight and delicate and grave4 ,the two boys went together to their room to make themselves ready for supper4 8,we finished the north meadow to-day10 said ,lawrence1--8the whole of it4 ,so don't blame me if ,i go to sleep over ,french verbs this evening40 8,i'll tell you something that will wake you up10 ,irving replied4 8,i'm going to teach at ,st4 ,timothy's ,school--in ,new ,hampshire4 ,so your going to college is sure1 and we'll be only a couple of hours apart40 8,oh1 ,irv60 ,in ,lawrence's exclamation there was more expressiveness1 more joy1 than in all his brother's carefully restrained statement4 8,oh1 ,irv6 ,isn't it splendid6 ,i think you're the finest thing--60 ,lawrence grasped ,irving's hand and at the same time began thumping him on the back4 ,then he opened the door and shouted down the stairs4 8,uncle ,bob6 ,aunt ,ann6 ,irv has some great news to-night40 ,mrs4 ,upton put her head out into the hall2 she was setting the table and held a plate of bread4 8,what is it1 ,irv8 ,have you--have you had a letter80 ,there was an anxious1 almost a regretful note in her voice4 8,yes10 said ,irving4 8,i'll tell you about it when ,i come down40 ,at the supper table he expounded all the details4 ,like ,mr4 ,beasley1 his uncle and his aunt had never heard of ,st4 ,timothy's ,school4 ,irving was able to enlighten them4 ,at college he had become familiar with its reputation2 it was one of the big preparatory schools in which the position of teacher had seemed to him desirable almost beyond the hope of attainment4 ,he recited the terms which had been offered and which he had accepted3 nine hundred dollars salary the first year1 with lodging1 board1 washing all provided--so that really it was the equivalent of fourteen or fifteen hundred dollars a year4 ,and then there would be the three months' vacation1 in which he could prosecute his law studies and earn additional money4 8,sounds good10 said ,mr4 ,upton4 8,of course ,i'm very glad10 said ,mrs4 ,upton4 8,but how we shall miss you boys6 ,i've got used to having ,irving away1--but to be without ,lawrence1 too--0 8,yes10 said her husband with a twinkle in his eyes1 8we certainly shall miss ,lawrence--especially in haying time4 ,i'm glad you didn't get this news till most of the hay crop was in4 ,no more farming for you this year1 ,lawrence40 8,why1 but there's all the south meadow uncut--0 8,i'll handle that4 ,as long as there was so much doubt as to whether you'd be able to go to college or not1 ,i felt that you might be making yourself useful first of all and studying only in the odd moments4 ,now it's different2 you've got to settle down to hard study and nothing else4 ,and ,irving had better devote himself entirely to you1 and leave ,mr4 ,beasley to struggle along without any college help40 8,i don't believe he'll miss me very much10 ,irving admitted4 8,and you're right1 ,uncle ,bob2 ,i can accomplish a great deal more working with ,lawrence this next month4 ,i ought to be able to get him entered in regular standing40 8,if ,i can do that10 cried ,lawrence1 8perhaps ,i'll be able to earn my way as ,irv did--tutoring and so on--and not have to call on you or him for any help40 8,what on earth should ,i do with nine hundred a year80 ,irving exclaimed4 8,save it for your law school fund10 said ,lawrence4 ,irving shrugged his shoulders grandly4 8,oh1 ,i can earn money40 ,lawrence gave him an affectionate push4 8,tut60 he said4 8,be good to yourself once in a while40 ,it was a happy family that evening4 ,the uncle and the aunt rejoiced in the good news1 even while regretting the separation4 ,mr4 ,upton1 the younger brother of the boys' father1 who had been the village clergyman1 shared his brother's tastes2 he read good books1 he would travel to hear a celebrated man speak1 he had ideas which were not bounded by his farm4 ,he had encouraged ,irving as well as ,lawrence to seek a university education4 ,the two boys were proud1 eager to free themselves from dependence on the uncle and aunt who1 after their father's death1 had given them a home4 ,irving had worked his way through college1 hardly ever asking for help2 he had been a capable scholar and the faculty had found for him backward students in need of tutoring4 ,meanwhile1 ,mr4 ,upton had been busily engaged in developing and increasing his farm2 that he was beginning to be prosperous ,irving was aware2 that he did not more earnestly insist upon helping his nephews stimulated their spirit of independence4 ,they knew that they had been left penniless2 ,irving sometimes suspected his uncle of parsimony1 yet this was a trait so incongruous with ,mr4 ,upton's genial nature that ,irving never communicated the suspicion to his brother4 ,irving felt1 too1 that his uncle cared less for him than for ,lawrence4 ,well1 that was natural2 ,irving was humble there4 ,when the dean of the college had said that it would be inadvisable for ,lawrence to make a start unless he had at least three hundred dollars at command1 it had seemed to ,irving a little narrow on his uncle's part not to have come forward at once with that sum4 ,instead he had merely given ,lawrence the opportunity to work harder in the hay-field and so increase his small bank account4 ,and it had soon become apparent to ,irving that unless he and ,lawrence could between them raise the money1 they need not look to their uncle for help beyond that which he was already giving4 ,therefore ,irving went into ,mr4 ,beasley's store1 and hoped daily for the letter which at last had come4 ,day after day the two brothers worked together4 ,irving1 quick1 impatient1 sometimes losing his temper2 ,lawrence1 slow1 calm1 turning the edge of the teacher's sarcasm sometimes with a laugh1 sometimes with a quiet appeal4 ,irving always felt ashamed after these outbreaks and uneasily conscious that ,lawrence conducted himself with greater dignity4 ,and ,lawrence forgot ,irving's irritations in gratitude to him for his help4 8,it must be a trial to teach such a numskull10 ,lawrence thought2 and at the end of one particularly hard day he undertook to console his brother by saying1 8,never mind1 ,irv2 it won't be long now before you have pupils who aren't country bumpkins and don't need to have things pounded into their heads with an axe40 ,it had been a rather savage remark that had called this out2 ,irving threw down his book and perching on the arm of his brother's chair1 put his arm around his neck and begged his forgiveness4 8,as if ,i could ever like to teach anybody else as much as ,i like to teach you60 he exclaimed4 8,i'm sorry1 ,lawrence2 ,i'll try to keep a little better grip on myself40 ,sometimes it seemed to ,irving odd that ,lawrence should be so slow at his books2 ,irving did not fail to realize that with the neighbors or with strangers1 in any gathering whatsoever1 ,lawrence was always quick1 sympathetic1 interested2 he himself was the one who seemed dull and immature4 ,it had been so with him at college2 he had been merely the student of books4 ,social life he had had none1 and only now1 with the difference between his brother and himself enforcing a clearer vision1 had he become aware of some deficiency in his education4 ,in silence he envied ,lawrence and wished that he too possessed such winning and engaging traits4 ,he realized the contrast with especial keenness on the afternoon when he and ,lawrence began their eastward journey4 ,there was a party assembled at the station to see them off1--to see ,lawrence off1 as ,irving reflected1 for never on his own previous departures had he occasioned any such demonstration4 ,lawrence was presented on the platform with various farewell gifts--a pair of knit slippers from ,sally ,buxton1 who was the prettiest girl in the valley and who tried to slip them into his hand when no one else was looking1 and blushed when ,nora ,carson unfeelingly called attention to her shy attempt2 a pair of mittens from old ,mrs4 ,fitch2 a pocket comb and mirror from the ,uptons' hired man2 a paper bag of doughnuts from ,mrs4 ,brumby4 ,there were no gifts for ,irving2 indeed1 he had never cared or thought much1 one way or the other1 about any of these people clustered on the platform4 ,only this summer1 seeing them so frequently in ,mr4 ,beasley's store1 he had felt the first stirrings of interest in them2 now for the first time he was aware of a wistfulness because they did not care for him as they did for ,lawrence4 ,mr4 ,beasley came up to him4 8,so you're off--both of you4 ,funny thing--,i guess from the looks of you two1 if a stranger was to come along1 he'd pick ,lawrence out for the teacher and you for the schoolboy4 ,lawrence looks as old as you1 and handles himself more grown up1 somehow40 8,he's bigger10 ,irving sighed4 8,yes1 't ain't only that10 drawled ,mr4 ,beasley4 8,though 't is a pity you're so spindling2 good thing for a teacher to be able to lay on the switch good and hard when needed40 8,i don't believe they punish with the switch at ,st4 ,timothy's40 8,then ,i guess they don't learn the boys much4 ,how you going to keep order among boys if you don't use the switch80 ,at that moment the train came whistling round the bend4 ,irving caught up his bag1 turned and grasped ,mr4 ,beasley's hand1 then plunged into the crowd which had closed about his brother4 ,his aunt turned and flung her arms about him and kissed him2 his uncle gave him a good-natured pat on the back and then stooped and said in his ear1 8,irv1 if you ever get into trouble1--go to ,lawrence40 ,there was the merry1 kindly twinkle in his eyes1 the quizzical1 humorous smile on his lips that made ,irving know his uncle meant always1 deep in his heart1 to do the right thing4 ,in the train he pondered for a few moments that last word of advice1 wondering if it had been sincere4 ,it rather hurt his dignity1 to be referred to his younger brother in that way--and yet it pleased him too2 he was glad to have ,lawrence appreciated4 ,irving spent a day in ,cambridge1 helping his brother to get settled in the rooms which he himself had occupied for four years4 ,then he bade ,lawrence good-by and resumed his journey to ,new ,hampshire4 ,it was a pleasant ,september morning when he presented himself1 a sallow1 thin-cheeked1 narrow-shouldered1 bespectacled youth1 before ,dr4 ,davenport1 the rector of ,st4 ,timothy's ,school4 ,the sunlight streamed in through the southern windows of the spacious library1 throwing mellow tints on the bindings of the books which lined the opposite wall from floor to ceiling4 ,it was all so bright that ,irving1 who was troubled with weak eyes1 advanced into it blinking2 and perhaps that was one reason for the disappointment which flitted across the rector's face--and which ,irving1 who was acutely sensitive1 perceived in his blinking glance4 ,he flushed1 aware that somehow his appearance was too timorous4 ,but ,dr4 ,davenport chatted with him pleasantly1 told him how highly the college authorities had recommended him1 and only laughingly intimated a surprise at finding him so young-looking4 8,i hope that teaching won't age you prematurely10 he added4 8,you will probably have some trying times with the boys--we all do4 ,but it oughtn't to be hard for you--especially as you will be thrown most of all with the older boys4 ,mr4 ,williams1 who has had charge of the ,sixth ,form dormitory at the ,upper ,school1 is ill with typhoid fever and will probably not come back this term4 ,so ,i'm going to put you in charge there4 ,you will have under you twenty fellows1 some of them the best in the school4 ,but just because they are in some ways pretty mature1 don't be--don't be self-effacing40 8,i understand10 said ,irving4 ,he sat on the edge of his chair1 and crumpled his handkerchief nervously in his hands4 ,and all the time--with his singular clearness of intuition--he was aware of the doubt and distrust passing through ,dr4 ,davenport's mind4 8,don't be afraid of the boys or show embarrassment or discomfort before them10 continued ,dr4 ,davenport1 8and on the other hand don't try to cultivate dignity by being cold and austere4 ,be natural with them--but always be the master4--,there60 he broke off1 smiling1 for he saw that ,irving looked worried and seemed to be taking all this as personal criticism--8that's the talk that ,i always give to a new master2 and now ,i'm done4 ,here is a printed copy of the rules and regulations which ,i advise you to study2 you must try to familiarize yourself with our customs before any of the boys arrive4 ,to-morrow the new boys will come1 and you will report for duty at the ,gymnasium1 where the entrance examinations will be held4 ,you will find your room in the ,sixth ,form dormitory1 at the ,upper ,school4 ,i hope you will like the life here1 ,mr4 ,upton--and ,i wish you every possible success in it40 ,the rector gave him an encouraging handshake and another friendly smile4 ,but ,irving departed feeling depressed and afraid4 ,he had seen that the rector was disappointed in him--in his appearance1 in his manner4 ,and the rector's little speech had given him the clue4 ,until now1 he had not much considered how large a part of his work would be in the management and the discipline of the boys2 the mere teaching of them was what had been in his mind1 and for that he felt perfectly competent4 ,in college1 that was all that the tutoring1 in which he had been so successful1 meant4 ,but1 confronted by the necessity of establishing and maintaining friendly human relations with a lot of strange boys1 ,irving for the first time questioned his qualifications1 realizing that the rector too was questioning them4 ,he became more cheerful the next day1 when the new boys began to arrive and he found himself at once with work to do4 ,he had mastered pretty thoroughly the names of the buildings and the geography of the place1 and it was rather pleasant to be able to give information and directions to those younger and more ignorant than himself4 ,it was pleasant1 too1 to have one mother who was wandering round vaguely with her small son and to whom he shyly proffered assistance1 show such appreciation of his courtesy and end by appealing to him to keep always a friendly eye on her little forlorn ,walter4 ,as it turned out1 ,irving never afterwards came much into contact with the boy1 who lived in a different building and was not in any of his classes2 he asked about him from time to time1 and discovered that ,walter was a mischievous person1 not troubled by homesickness4 ,but most agreeable and reassuring was it to take charge of the examination-room1 where the new boys were undergoing the tests of their scholarship4 ,most of them were candidates for the ,second1 ,third1 and ,fourth ,forms1 and their ages ranged from twelve to fifteen2 ,irving sat at a desk on the platform and surveyed them while they worked1 or tiptoed down the aisle in response to an appeal from some uplifted hand4 ,he had come so recently from examination-rooms where he had been one of the pupils that this experience exhilarated him2 it conferred upon him an authority that he enjoyed4 ,he liked to be addressed by these nice-mannered young boys as 8sir10 and to be recognized by them so unquestioningly as a person to whom deference must be shown4 ,altogether this first day with the new boys inspired him with confidence1 and at the end of it he attacked the pile of examination books enthusiastically4 ,mr4 ,barclay aided him in that task2 ,mr4 ,barclay was a young master also1 comparatively1 though he had had several years' experience4 ,irving was attracted to him at once1 and was grateful for the way in which he made suggestions when there was some uncertainty as to how a boy should be graded4 ,irving liked1 too1 the genial chuckle which preceded an invitation to inspect some candidate's egregious blunder2 ,irving would read and smile quietly1 unaware that ,barclay was watching him and wondering how appreciative he might be of the ludicrous4 ,two nights ,irving spent all alone in the ,sixth ,form dormitory2 it amused him to walk up and down the corridors with the list of those to whom rooms there had been assigned4 8,collingwood1 ,westby1 ,scarborough1 ,morrill1 ,anderson1 ,baldersnaith1 ,hill0--some of them had occupied these rooms as ,fifth ,formers1 and ,irving had asked ,mr4 ,barclay about them4 ,louis ,collingwood was captain of the school football team2 ,scarborough was captain of the school crew4 8,neither of them will give you any trouble10 said ,barclay4 8,scarborough used to be a cub1 but he has developed very much in the last year or two1 and now he and ,collingwood are the best-liked fellows in the school4 ,they have a proper sense of their responsibility as leaders of the school1 and are more likely to help you than to make trouble4 ,morrill is their faithful follower1 though a little harum-scarum at times4 ,westby--0 the master hesitated over that name and looked at ,irving with a measuring glance--8,westby is what you might call the school jester4 ,he's very popular with the boys--not equally so with all the masters4 ,personally ,i'm rather fond of him4 ,he's almost too quick-witted sometimes40 ,that evening ,barclay took the new master home to dine with him4 ,mrs4 ,barclay was as cordial and as kind as her husband2 ,irving began to feel more than satisfied with his surroundings4 8,pity you're not married1 ,upton10 ,barclay said1 half jokingly4 8,you'd escape keeping dormitory if you were--which you'll find the meanest of all possible jobs4 ,and then if your wife's the right kind--the boys have to be pretty decent to you in order to keep on her good side40 ,mrs4 ,barclay laughed4 8,i suppose that's the only reason they're pretty decent to you1 ,william6--,you'll find it easy1 ,mr4 ,upton1--for the reason that they're a pretty decent lot of boys40 ,the next day at noon the old boys began to arrive4 ,irving was coming out of the auditorium1 where he had been correcting the last set of examination papers1 when a barge drew up before the study building and boys clutching hand-bags tumbled out and hurried into the building to greet the rector4 ,irving stood for a few moments looking on with interest3 other barges kept coming over the hill1 interspersed with carriages1 in which a few arrived more magnificently4 ,it occurred to ,irving that perhaps he had better hasten to his dormitory in order to be on hand when his charges should begin to appear2 he was just starting away when three boys arm in arm rushed out of the study building4 ,they came prancing up to him1 all smiles and twinkles2 they were boys of seventeen or eighteen4 ,they confronted him1 blocking his path2 and the one in the middle1 a slim1 straight fellow in a blue suit1 said1-- 8,hello1 new kid6 ,what name80 ,a blush of embarrassment mounted in ,irving's cheeks2 feeling it1 he conceived it all the more advisable to assert his dignity4 ,so he said without a smile1 in a constrained voice1-- 8,i am not a new kid4 ,i am a master40 ,the three boys who had been beaming on him with good humor in their eyes stared blankly4 ,then the one in the middle1 with a sudden whoop of laughter1 swung the two others round and led them off at a run2 and as they went1 their delighted laughter floated back to ,irving's ears4 ,his cheeks were tingling1 almost as if they had been slapped4 ,he followed the boys at a distance2 they moved towards the ,upper ,school4 ,his heart sank2 what if they were in his dormitory8 ,he entered the building just as the last of the three was going up the ,sixth ,form dormitory stairs4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,he ,,achieves ,a ,,name ,,for ,,himself ,at the foot of the staircase ,irving hesitated until the sound of the voices and footsteps had ceased4 ,the three boys had not seen him when he had entered2 he was wondering whether he had better be courageous1 go right up after them1 and introduce himself1--just as if they had not caught him off his guard and put him into a ridiculous position1--or delay a little while in the hope that their memory of it would be less keen4 ,he decided that he had better be courageous4 ,when he reached the top floor1 he went into his room2 he was feeling nervous over the prospect of confronting his charges1 and he wished to be sure that his hair and his necktie looked right4 ,while he was examining himself in the mirror1 he heard a door open on the corridor and a boy call1 8,lou6 ,did you know that ,mr4 ,williams won't be back this term80 ,farther down the corridor a voice answered1 8,no6 ,what's the matter80 8,typhoid4 ,mr4 ,randolph told me40 8,who's taken his place80 ,it was another voice that asked this question4 8,a new man--named ,upton4 ,i haven't laid eyes on him yet40 8,wouldn't it be a joke--60 ,the speaker paused to laugh4 8,suppose it should turn out to be the new kid60 8#8,i am not a new kid2 ,i am a master4'0 ,the mimicry was so accurate that ,irving winced and then flushed to the temples4 ,in the laughter that it produced he closed his door quietly and sat down to think4 ,he couldn't be courageous now2 he felt that he could not step out and face those fellows who were laughing at him4 ,of course they were the ones who ought to be embarrassed by his appearance1 not he2 but ,irving felt they would lend one another support and brazen it through1 and that he would be the one to exhibit weakness4 ,he decided that he must wait and try to make himself known to each one of them separately--that only by such a beginning would he be likely to engage their respect4 ,it was the first time that he had been brought face to face with his pitiable diffidence4 ,he was ashamed2 he thought of how differently ,lawrence would have met the situation--how much more directly he would have dealt with it4 ,irving resolved that hereafter he would not be afraid of any multitude of boys4 ,but he refrained from making his presence known in the dormitory that afternoon4 ,at half past five o'clock he went downstairs to the rooms of ,mr4 ,randolph1 who had charge of the ,upper ,school4 ,mr4 ,marcy1 the ,fifth ,form dormitory master1 and ,mr4 ,wythe1 the ,fourth ,form dormitory master1 were also there4 ,they were veterans1 comparatively1 and it was to meet them and benefit by what they could tell him that ,irving had been invited4 ,all three congratulated him on his good fortune in obtaining the ,sixth ,form dormitory4 8,the older they are1 the less trouble they are10 said ,wythe4 8,my first year ,i was over at the ,lower ,school1 looking after the little kids4 ,half the time they're sick and whimpering and have to be coddled1 and the rest of the time they have to be spanked40 8,it hardly matters what age they are10 lamented ,marcy1 pessimistically4 8,there's bound to be a dormitory disorder once in so often40 8,what do you do in that case80 asked ,irving4 8,jump hard on some one10 answered ,wythe4 8,try to get the leader of it1 but if you can't get him1 get somebody4 ,report him1--give him three sheets40 8,that means writing ,latin lines for three hours on half-holidays80 8,yes1 and six marks off in ,decorum for the week4 ,of course they'll come wheedling round you1 wanting to be excused2 you have to use your own discretion about that40 8,do you have any ,sixth ,form classes80 asked ,marcy4 8,yes10 ,irving answered4 8,in ,geometry40 8,that means you'll have to take the upper hand and hold it1 right from the start4 ,if you have one crowd in dormitory to look after and another crowd in class1 you can afford to relax a little now and then2 but when it's the same boys in both--they watch for any sign of weakening40 8,there will be only two of them at your table1 any way1 ,mr4 ,upton10 said ,randolph4 ,he passed over a list4 8,the others are all ,fourth and ,fifth ,formers--only ,westby and ,carroll from the ,sixth60 8,westby60 ,wythe sighed4 8,maybe we were premature in congratulating you4 ,i'd forgotten about ,westby40 8,what is the matter with him80 asked ,irving4 8,his cleverness1 and his attractiveness4 ,he smiles and smiles and is a villain still4 ,he was in my dormitory year before last and kept it in a constant turmoil4 ,and yet if you have any sense of humor at all you can't help being amused by him--even sympathizing with him--though it's apt to be at your own expense40 8,he's perfectly conscienceless10 declared ,marcy4 8,and yet there's no real harm in him10 said ,randolph4 8,he seems to be something of a puzzle40 ,irving spoke uneasily4 8,and he's to be at my table--,i'm to have a table80 8,oh1 yes4 ,in fact1 one or two of the ,sixth ,formers--,scarborough1 for instance--have tables4 ,but we don't let all the ,sixth ,formers eat together2 we try to scatter them4 ,and ,westby and ,carroll have fallen to your lot40 8,if you happen to see either of them before supper1 ,i should like to meet them10 ,irving said4 ,he felt that if he could make their acquaintance separately and without witnesses1 he could produce a better impression than if he waited and confronted them before a whole table of strange faces4 ,but as it happened1 that was just the way that he did meet ,westby and ,carroll4 ,when the supper bell sounded1 the hallway of the ,upper ,school was crowded with boys1 examining the schedule which had been posted and which assigned them to their seats in the dining-room4 ,irving1 after waiting nervously until more than half the number had entered the dining-room and deriving no help from any of the other masters1 went in and stood at the head of the third table1 as he had been instructed to do4 ,four or five boys were already standing there at their places2 they looked at him with curiosity and bowed to him politely4 ,the crowd as it entered thinned2 ,irving was beginning to hope that ,westby and ,carroll had gone elsewhere1--and then1 just as ,mr4 ,randolph was mounting to the head table on the dais1 two boys slipped in and stood at the seats at ,irving's right4 ,he recognized them as having been two of the three who had laughed when he had proclaimed himself a master4 ,one was the slim1 tall fellow who had called him 8new kid40 ,for a moment at ,irving's table1 after the boys had rattled into their seats1 there was silence4 ,in front of ,irving were a platter of cold tongue and a dish of beans1 and he began to put portions of each on the plates piled before him4 ,then as he passed the first plate along the line he looked up and said1 8,i think we'd better find out who everybody is4 ,so each fellow1 as he gets his plate1 will please sing out his name40 ,that was not such a bad beginning2 there was a general grin which broadened into a laugh when the first boy blushingly owned to the name of ,walnut4 ,then came ,lacy and ,norris1 and then ,westby4 8,oh10 said ,irving4 8,i think you're to be in my dormitory1 aren't you80 8,i believe so40 ,westby looked at him quizzically1 as if expecting him to make some reference to their encounter2 but ,irving passed on to his next neighbor1 ,carroll1 and then began with the other side of the table4 ,he liked the appearance of the boys2 they were quiet-looking and respectful1 and they had been responsive enough to his suggestion about announcing their names4 ,a happy inspiration told him that so long as he could keep on taking the initiative with boys1 he would have no serious trouble4 ,but it was one thing to recognize an effective mode of conduct1 and another to have the resourcefulness for carrying it out4 ,irving was just thinking what next he should say1 when ,westby fell upon him4 8,mr4 ,upton10--,westby's voice was curiously distinct1 in spite of its quietness1--8wasn't it funny1 our taking you for a new kid this afternoon80 ,because the question was so obviously asked in a lull to embarrass him1 ,irving was embarrassed4 ,the interest of all the boys at the table had been skillfully excited1 and ,westby leaned forward in front of ,carroll1 with mischievous eyes and smile4 ,irving felt his color rising2 he felt both abashed and annoyed4 8,why1 yes10 he said hesitatingly4 8,i--,i was a little startled40 8,did they take you for a new kid1 ,mr4 ,upton80 asked ,blake1 the ,fifth ,former1 who sat on ,irving's left4 8,for a moment1 yes10 admitted ,irving1 anxious not to pursue the subject4 ,but ,westby proceeded to explain with gusto1 while the whole table listened4 8,lou ,collingwood and ,carrie here and ,i were in front of the ,study1 and out came ,mr4 ,upton4 ,and ,lou wanted to nail him for the ,pythians1 so we all pranced up to him1 and ,i said1 #8,hello1 new kid2 what name1 please8'--just like that2 didn't ,i1 ,mr4 ,upton80 8,yes10 said ,irving grudgingly4 ,he had an uneasy feeling that he was being made an object of general entertainment2 certainly the eyes of all the boys at the table were fixed upon him smilingly4 8,what happened then80 asked the blunt ,blake4 8,why1 then10 continued ,westby1 8,mr4 ,upton told us that he wasn't a new kid at all1 but a new master4 ,you may imagine we were surprised--weren't we1 ,mr4 ,upton80 8,oh1 ,i could hardly tell--0 8,the joke was certainly on us4 ,as the ,french say1 it was a contretemps4 ,to think that after all the years we'd been here1 we couldn't tell a new kid from a new master60 ,irving was mildly bewildered4 ,he could not quite determine whether ,westby was telling the story more as a joke on himself or on him4 ,anyway1 in spite of the temporary embarrassment which they had caused him1 there seemed to be nothing offensive in the remarks4 ,he liked ,westby's face2 it was alert and good-humored1 and the cajoling quality in the boy's voice and the twinkle in his eyes were quite attractive4 ,in fact1 his manner during supper was so agreeable that ,irving quite forgot it was this youth whom he had overheard mimicking him3 8,i am not a new kid2 ,i am a master40 ,after supper there were prayers in the ,common ,room2 then all the boys except the ,sixth ,formers went to the ,study building to sit for an hour under the eyes of a master1 to read or write letters4 ,on subsequent evenings they would have to employ this period in studying1 but as yet no lessons had been assigned2 the classroom work had not begun4 ,the ,sixth ,form were exempt from the necessity of attending ,study1 and had the privilege of preparing their lessons in their own rooms4 ,irving found1 on going up to his dormitory1 that the boys were visiting one another1 helping one another unpack1 darting up and down the corridor and carrying on loud conversations4 ,he decided1 as there were no lessons for them to prepare1 not to interfere2 their sociability seemed harmless enough4 ,so1 leaving the door of his room open that he might hear and suppress any incipient disorder1 he began a letter to ,lawrence4 ,he thought at first that he would confide to his brother the little troubles which were annoying him4 ,but when he set about it1 they seemed really too petty to transcribe2 surely he was man enough to bear such worries without appealing to a younger brother for advice4 ,there was a loud burst of laughter from a room in which several boys had gathered4 ,it was followed by the remark in ,westby's pleasant1 persuasive voice1-- 8,look out1 fellows1 or we'll have ,kiddy ,upton down on us40 8,kiddy ,upton60 another voice exclaimed in delight1 and there was more laughter4 ,kiddy ,upton6 ,so that was to be his name4 ,of course boys gave nicknames to their teachers1--,irving remembered some appellations that had prevailed even at college4 ,but none of them seemed so slighting or so jeering as this of ,kiddy2 and ,irving flushed as he had done when he had been taken for a 8new kid40 ,but now his sensitiveness was even more hurt2 it wounded him that ,westby1 that pleasant1 humorous person1 should have been the one to apply the epithet4 ,westby began singing 8,the ,wearing of the ,green10 to an accompaniment on a banjo4 ,presently four or five voices1 with extravagant brogues1 were uplifted in the chorus3-- 8',tis the most disthressful counthry ,that ever there was seen2 ,for they're hanging men and women too ,for wearin' of the green40 ,there was much applause2 boys from other rooms went hurrying down the corridor4 ,the banjo-player struck up 8,the ,road to ,mandalay20 again ,irving recognized ,westby's voice4 ,irving decided that he must not be thin-skinned2 it was his part to step up1 be genial1 make himself known to all these boys who were to be under his care1 and show them that he wished to be friendly4 ,he did not wait to debate with himself the wisdom of this resolve or to consider how he should proceed2 he acted on the impulse4 ,he walked down the corridor to the third room on the left--the door of ,westby's room1 from which the sounds of joviality proceeded4 ,he knocked2 some one called 8,come in20 and ,irving opened the door4 ,three boys sat in chairs1 three sat on the bed2 ,westby himself was squatting cross-legged on the window seat1 with the banjo across his knees4 ,they all rose politely when ,irving entered4 8,i thought ,i would drop in and make your acquaintance10 said ,irving4 8,we're bound to know one another some time40 8,my name's ,collingwood10 said the boy nearest him1 offering his hand4 ,he was a healthy1 light-haired1 solidly put together youth1 with a genial smile4 8,this is ,scarborough1 ,mr4 ,upton40 ,the biggest of them all came forward at that and shook hands4 ,irving thought that his deep-set dark eyes were disconcertingly direct in their gaze2 and a lock of black hair overhung his brow in a far from propitiating manner4 ,yet his bearing was dignified and manly2 ,irving felt that he might be trusted to show magnanimity4 8,here's ,carroll10 continued ,collingwood2 and ,irving said1 8,oh1 ,i know ,carroll2 we sat together at supper40 ,carroll said nothing1 merely smiled in an agreeable1 non-committal manner2 so far it was all that ,irving had discovered he could do4 8,that fellow with the angel face is ,morrill10 ,collingwood went on1 8and the one next to him1 with the aristocratic features1 is ,baldersnaith1 and this red-head here is ,dennison1--and that's ,westby40 ,irving1 shaking hands round the circle1 said1 8,oh1 ,i know ,westby40 8,sit down1 won't you1 ,mr4 ,upton80 ,westby pushed his armchair forward4 8,thank you2 don't let me interrupt the singing40 8,maybe you'll join us80 ,irving shook his head4 8,i wish ,i could4 ,but please go on40 ,westby squatted again on the window-seat and plucked undecidedly at the banjo-strings4 ,then he cleared his throat and launched upon a negro melody2 he sang it with the unctuous abandon of the darkey1 and ,irving listened and looked on enviously1 admiring the display of talent4 ,westby sang another song1 and then turned and pushed up the window4 8,awfully hot for this time of year1 isn't it80 he said4 8,fine moonlight night2 wouldn't it be great to go for a swim80 8,um60 said ,morrill1 appreciatively4 8,will you let us go1 ,mr4 ,upton80 ,westby asked the question pleadingly4 8,won't you please let us go8 ,it's such a fine warm moonlight night--and it isn't as if school had really begun1 you know40 8,but ,i think the rules don't permit your being out at this time of night1 do they80 said ,irving4 8,well1 but as ,i say1 school hasn't really begun yet4 ,and besides1 ,scabby here is almost as good as a master--and so is ,lou ,collingwood2 ,i'm the only really irresponsible one in the bunch--0 8,where do you go to swim80 8,in the pond1 just beyond the isthmus--only about a quarter of a mile from here4 ,come on1 fellows1 ,mr4 ,upton's going to let us go40 ,irving laughed uneasily4 8,oh1 ,i didn't say that4 ,if ,mr4 ,randolph is willing that you should go1 ,i wouldn't object40 8,you're in charge of this dormitory10 argued ,westby4 8,and if you gave us permission1 ,mr4 ,randolph wouldn't say anything40 8,i don't feel that ,i can make an exception to the rules10 said ,irving4 8,but school hasn't really begun yet10 persisted ,westby4 8,i think it really has1 so far as observing the rules is concerned10 replied ,irving4 8,you might go with us1 sir--and that would make it all right40 8,but ,i don't believe ,i want to go in swimming this evening40 8,i'm awfully afraid you're going to be just like granite1 ,mr4 ,upton10 sighed ,westby1--8the man with the iron jaw40 ,he turned on the others a humorous look2 they all were smiling4 ,irving felt uncomfortable again1 suspecting that ,westby was making game of him1 yet not knowing in what way to meet it--except by silence4 8,i'll tell you what ,i will do with you to-morrow1 ,wes10 said ,collingwood4 8,i'll challenge you to that water duel that we were to have pulled off last ,june40 8,all right1 ,lou10 said ,westby4 8,carrie here will be my trusty squire and will paddle my canoe40 ,carroll grinned his assent4 8,i'll pick ,ned ,morrill for my second10 said ,collingwood4 8,and ,scabby can be referee40 8,what's a water duel80 asked ,irving4 8,they go out in canoes1 two in each canoe10 answered ,scarborough4 8,one fellow paddles1 and the other stands up in the bow with a long pole and a big fat sponge tied to the end of it4 ,then the two canoes manuvre1 and try to get within striking distance1 and the fellow or canoe that gets upset first loses4 ,we had a tournament last spring1 and these two pairs came through to the finals1 but never fought it out--baseball or tennis or something always interfered40 8,it must be quite an amusing game10 said ,irving4 8,come up to the swimming hole to-morrow afternoon if you want to see it10 said ,collingwood1 hospitably4 8,i'll just about drown ,westby4 ,it will be a good show40 8,thank you2 ,i'd like to--0 8,but don't you think1 ,mr4 ,upton10--again it was ,westby1 with his cajoling voice and his wheedling smile1--8that ,i might have just one evening's moonlight practice for it80 8,oh1 ,i don't believe you need any practice40 8,but you said ,i might if ,mr4 ,randolph would consent4 ,i don't see why you shouldn't be independent1 as well as liberal40 ,there was a veiled insinuation in this1 for all the good-natured1 teasing tone1 and ,irving did not like it4 8,no10 he said4 8,i'm sorry1 but ,i'm afraid ,i can't let you go swimming to-night4--,i'm glad to have met you all40 ,and so he took his departure1 and presently the sound of banjo and singing rose again from ,westby's room4 ,irving proceeded to visit the other rooms of the dormitory and to make the acquaintance of the occupants--boys engaged mostly in arranging bureau drawers or hanging pictures4 ,they were all friendly enough2 it seemed to him that he could get on with boys individually2 it was when they faced him in numbers that they alarmed him and caused his manner to be hesitating and embarrassed4 ,one big fellow named ,allison was trying to hang a picture when ,irving entered2 it was a large and heavy picture1 and ,irving held it straight while ,allison stood on a chair and set the hook on the moulding4 ,allison thanked ,irving with the gratitude of one unaccustomed to receiving such consideration2 indeed1 his uncouthness and unkemptness made him one of those unfortunate boys who suffered now and then from persecution4 ,irving learned afterwards that the crowd he had met in ,westby's room hung together and were the leaders not merely in the affairs of the dormitory1 but of the school4 ,at half past nine the big bell on the ,study building rang twice--the signal for the boys to go to their respective rooms4 ,irving had been informed of the little ceremony which was the custom2 he stepped out in front of his door at the end of the corridor1 and one after another the boys came up1 shook hands with him1 and bade him good-night4 ,westby came to him with the engaging and yet somewhat disquieting smile which recalled to ,irving ,mr4 ,wythe's words1 8,he smiles and smiles1 but is a villain still40 ,it was a smile which seemed to suggest the discernment and enjoyment of all one's weak spots4 8,good-night1 ,mr4 ,upton10 said ,westby1 and his voice was excessively urbane4 ,it made ,irving look forward to a better acquaintance with both expectancy and apprehension4 ,the first morning of actual school work went well enough2 ,irving met his classes1 which were altogether in mathematics1 assigned them lessons1 and managed to keep them and himself busy4 ,from one of them he brought away some algebra exercises1 which he spent part of the afternoon in correcting4 ,when he had finished this work1 the invitation to witness the water duel occurred to his mind4 ,he found no other master to bear him company1 so he set off by himself through the woods which bordered the pond behind the ,gymnasium4 ,he came at last to the 8isthmus0--a narrow dyke of stones which cut off a long inlet and bridged the way over to a wooded peninsula that jutted out into the pond4 ,on the farther side of this peninsula1 secluded behind trees and bushes1 was the swimming hole4 ,as ,irving approached1 he heard voices2 he drew nearer and saw the bare backs of boys undressing and heard then the defiances which they were hurling at one another--phrased in the language of ,ivanhoe4 8,nay1 by my halidome1 but ,i shall this day do my devoir right worthily upon the body of yon false knight10 quoth ,westby1 as he carefully turned his shirt right side out4 8,a murrain on thee6 ,beshrew me if ,i do not spit thee upon my trusty lance10 replied ,collingwood1 as he drew on his swimming tights4 ,then some one trotted out upon the spring-board1 gave a bounce and a leap1 and went into the water with a splash4 8,how is it1 ,ned80 called ,westby2 and ,irving came up as ,morrill1 reaching out for a long side stroke1 shouted1 8,oh1 fine--warm and fine40 8,hello1 ,mr4 ,upton40 ,it was ,baldersnaith who first saw him2 ,baldersnaith1 ,dennison1 and ,smythe were fully dressed and were sitting under a tree looking on4 8,you're just in time10 said ,collingwood4 ,scarborough1 stripped like ,westby and ,carroll and ,morrill and ,collingwood1 was out on the pond1 paddling round in a canoe4 ,he was crouched on one knee in the middle1 and the canoe careened over with his weight1 so that the gunwale was only an inch or two above the surface4 ,he was evidently an expert paddler1 swinging the craft round1 this way and that1 without ever taking the paddle out of the water4 ,two other canoes were hauled up near the spring-board2 ,carroll was bending over one of them4 8,bring me my lethal weapon1 ,carrie10 ,westby commanded4 8,i want to show ,mr4 ,upton4--,is the button on tight80 ,carroll produced from the canoe a long pole with an enormous sponge fastened to one end2 he pulled at the sponge and announced1 8,yes1 the button's on tight10 and passed the pole over to ,westby4 ,westby made one or two experimental lunges with it and remarked musingly1 8,when ,i catch him square above the bread line with this--60 8,come on1 then60 said ,collingwood4 8,come here1 ,ned60 ,morrill swam ashore and pushed off in one of the canoes with ,collingwood--taking the stern seat and the paddle4 ,collingwood knelt in the bow1 with his spear laid across the gun-wales in front of him4 ,in like manner ,westby and ,carroll took to the water4 8,this is the best two bouts out of three10 called ,scarborough1 as he circled round4 8,don't you want to come aboard1 ,mr4 ,upton1 and help judge80 8,why1 yes1 thank you10 said ,irving4 ,so ,scarborough called1 8,wait a moment1 fellows10 and paddling ashore1 took on his passenger4 ,then he sped out to the middle of the bay2 the two other canoes were separated by about fifty feet4 8,charge60 cried ,scarborough1 and ,morrill and ,carroll began paddling towards each other1 while in the bows ,collingwood and ,westby rose to their feet and held their spears in front of them4 ,they advanced cautiously and then swung apart1 evading the collision--each trying to tempt the other to stab and overreach4 8,oh1 you're both scared60 jeered ,baldersnaith from the shore4 ,the canoes swung about and made for each other again2 and this time passed within striking distance4 ,westby's aim missed1 his sponge-tipped lance slid past ,collingwood's shoulder1 and the next instant ,collingwood's sponge--well weighted with water--smote ,westby full in the chest and hove him overboard4 ,for one moment ,carroll struggled to keep the canoe right side up1 but in vain2 it tipped and filled1 and with a shout he plunged in head foremost after his comrade4 ,they came up and began to push their canoe ashore2 the two other canoes drew alongside and assisted1 ,scarborough and ,morrill paddling1 while ,irving and ,collingwood laid hold of the thwarts4 8,that's all right2 ,i'll get you this time10 spluttered ,westby4 8,we're going to use strategy now40 ,they emptied the water out of the canoe and proceeded again to the battleground4 ,then1 when ,scarborough gave the word1 ,carroll began paddling madly2 he and ,westby bore down upon their antagonists at a most threatening speed4 ,morrill swung to the right to get out of their path2 and then suddenly ,carroll swung in the opposite direction--with what strategic purpose neither ,irving nor ,scarborough had time to conjecture4 ,for they were loitering close on that side1 not expecting any such manuvre2 the sharp turn drove the bow of ,carroll's canoe straight for the waist of ,scarborough's1 and ,westby with an excited laugh undertook to fend off with his pole1 lost his balance1 and trying to recover it1 upset both canoes together4 ,irving felt himself going1 heard ,westby's laughing shout1 8,look out1 ,mr4 ,upton60 and then went under4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,canoes ,,swung ,,about ,,and ,,made ,,for ,,each ,,other ,,chapter ,,iii ,,westby',s ,,amusements ,the water was warm1 but ,irving swallowed a good deal of it and also was conscious of the fact that he had on a perfectly good suit of clothes4 ,so he came to the surface1 choking and annoyed2 and when he recovered his faculties1 he observed first of all ,westby's grinning face4 8,you can swim all right1 can't you1 ,mr4 ,upton80 said ,westby4 8,i thought for a moment we might have to dive for you40 ,irving clutched at the stern of the capsized canoe and said1 rather curtly1 8,i'm not dressed to enjoy swimming40 8,i'm awfully sorry10 said ,scarborough4 8,but ,i never thought they were going to turn that way2 ,i don't know what ,carrie thought he was doing--0 8,i'd have shown you some strategy if you hadn't blundered into us10 declared ,carroll4 8,blundered into you6 ,there was no need for ,wes to give us such a poke1 anyhow40 ,westby replied merely with an irritating chuckle--irritating at least to ,irving1 who felt that he should be showing more contrition4 ,collingwood and ,morrill came alongside1 both laughing1 jeering at ,westby and offering polite expressions of solicitude to the master4 ,they told him to lay hold of the tail of their canoe1 and then they towed him ashore as rapidly as possible4 ,when he drew himself up1 dripping1 on the bank1 ,baldersnaith1 ,dennison1 and ,smythe were all on the broad grin1 and from the water floated the sound of ,westby's merriment4 ,irving stood for a moment1 letting himself drip1 quite undecided as to what he should do4 ,he had never been ducked before1 with all his clothes on2 the clammy1 weighted sensation was most unpleasant1 the thought of his damaged and perhaps ruined suit was galling1 the indignity of his appearance was particularly hard to bear4 ,he felt that ,baldersnaith and the others were trying to be as polite and considerate as possible1 and yet they could not refrain from exhibiting their amusement1 their delight4 ,scarborough1 who had swum ahead of the others1 waded ashore and looked him over4 8,i tell you what you'd better do1 ,mr4 ,upton10 he said4 8,you'd better take your clothes off1 wring them out1 and spread them out to dry4 ,they'll dry in this sun and wind4 ,and while they're doing that1 you can come in swimming with us40 ,irving hesitated a moment2 instinct told him that the advice was sensible1 yet he shrank from accepting it2 he felt that for a master to do what ,scarborough suggested would be undignified1 and might somehow compromise his position4 8,i think ,i'd better run home and rub myself down and put on some dry things10 he replied4 8,well10 said ,scarborough1 8just as you say4 ,sorry ,i got you into this mess40 8,oh1 it's all right10 said ,irving4 ,he walked away1 with the water trickling uncomfortably down him inside his clothes and swashing juicily in his shoes4 ,he liked ,scarborough for the way he had acted1 but he felt less kindly towards ,westby4 ,he was by no means sure that ,westby had not deliberately soused him and then pretended it was an accident4 ,he remembered ,westby's mirthful laugh just when the thing was happening2 and certainly if it had really been an accident ,westby had shown very little concern4 ,he had been indecently amused2 he was so still2 his clear joyous laugh was ringing after ,irving even now1 and ,irving felt angrily that he was at this moment a ridiculous figure4 ,to be running home drenched6--probably it would have been better if he had done what ,scarborough had suggested1 less undignified1 more manly really4 ,but he couldn't turn back now4 ,he was cold and his teeth had begun to chatter1 so he started to run4 ,he hoped that when he came out of the woods he might be fortunate enough to elude observation on the way to the ,upper ,school1 but in this he was disappointed4 ,as he jogged by the ,study building1 with his clothes jouncing and slapping heavily upon his shoulders1 out came the rector and met him face to face4 8,upset canoeing80 asked the rector with a smile4 8,yes10 ,irving answered2 he stood for a moment awkwardly4 8,well1 it will happen sometimes10 said the rector4 8,don't catch cold40 ,and he passed on4 ,there was some consolation for ,irving in this matter-of-fact view4 ,in the rector's eyes apparently his dignity had not suffered by the incident4 ,but when a moment later he passed a group of ,fourth ,formers and they turned and stared at him1 grinning1 he felt that his dignity had suffered very much4 ,he felt that within a short time his misfortune would be the talk of the school4 ,at supper it was as he expected it would be4 ,westby set about airing the story for the benefit of the table1 appealing now and then to ,irving himself for confirmation of the passages which were least gratifying to ,irving's vanity4 8,you did look so woe-begone when you stood up on shore1 ,mr4 ,upton10 was the genial statement which ,irving especially resented4 ,to have ,westby tell the boys the first day how he had called the new master a new kid and the second day how he had ducked him was a little too much2 it seemed to ,irving that ,westby was slyly amusing himself by undermining his authority4 ,but the boy's manner was pleasantly ingratiating always2 ,irving felt baffled4 ,carroll did not help him much towards an interpretation2 ,carroll sat by self-contained1 quietly intelligent1 amused4 ,irving liked both the boys1 and yet as the days passed1 he seemed to grow more and more uneasy and anxious in their society4 ,in the classroom he was holding his own2 he was a good mathematical scholar1 he prepared the lessons thoroughly1 and he found it generally easy to keep order by assigning problems to be worked out in class4 ,the weather continued good1 so that during play time the fellows were out of doors instead of loafing round in dormitory4 ,they all had their own little affairs to organize2 athletic clubs and literary societies held their first meetings2 there was a process of general shaking down2 and in the interest and industry occasioned by all this1 there was not much opportunity or disposition to make trouble4 ,but the first ,sunday was a bad day4 ,in a boys' school bad weather is apt to be accompanied by bad behavior2 on this ,sunday it poured4 ,the boys1 having put on their best clothes1 were obliged1 when they went out to chapel1 to wear rubbers and to carry umbrellas--an imposition against which they rebelled4 ,after chapel1 there was an hour before dinner1 and in that hour most of the ,sixth ,formers sought their rooms--or sought one another's rooms2 it seemed to ,irving1 who was trying to read and who had a headache1 that there was a needless amount of rushing up and down the corridors and of slamming of doors4 ,by and by the tumult became uproarious1 shouts of laughter and the sound of heavy bodies being flung against walls reached his ears2 he emerged then and saw the confusion at the end of the corridor4 ,allison was suspended two or three feet above the floor1 by a rope knotted under his arms2 it was the rope that was used for raising trunks up to the loft above4 ,in lowering it from the loft some one had trespassed on forbidden ground4 ,westby1 ,collingwood1 ,dennison1 ,scarborough1 and half a dozen others were gathered1 enjoying ,allison's ludicrous struggles4 ,his plight was not painful1 only absurd2 and ,irving himself could not at first keep back a smile4 ,but he came forward and said1-- 8,oh1 look here1 fellows1 whoever is responsible for this will have to climb up and release ,allison40 ,westby turned with his engaging smile4 8,yes1 but1 ,mr4 ,upton1 who do you suppose is responsible8 ,i don't see how we can fix the responsibility1 do you80 8,i will undertake to fix it10 said ,irving4 8,westby1 suppose you climb that ladder and let ,allison down40 8,i don't think you're approaching this matter in quite a judicial spirit1 ,mr4 ,upton10 said ,westby4 8,of course no man wants to be arbitrary2 he wants to be just4 ,it really seems to me1 ,mr4 ,upton1 that no action should be taken until the matter has been more thoroughly sifted40 ,the other boys1 with the exception of ,allison1 were chuckling at this glib persuasiveness4 ,westby stood there1 in a calmly respectful1 even deferential attitude1 as if animated only by a desire to serve the truth4 8,we will have no argument about it1 ,westby10 said ,irving4 8,please climb the ladder at once and release ,allison40 8,i beg of you1 ,mr4 ,upton10 said ,westby in a tone of distress1 8don't1 please don't1 confuse argument with impartial inquiry2 nothing is more distasteful to me than argument4 ,i merely ask for investigation2 ,i court it in your own interest as well as mine40 ,irving grew rigid4 ,his head was throbbing painfully2 the continued snickering all round him and ,westby's increasing confidence and fluency grated on his nerves4 ,he drew out his watch4 8,i will give you one minute in which to climb that ladder10 he said4 8,mr4 ,upton1 you wish to be a just man10 pleaded ,westby4 8,even though you have the great weight of authority--and years0--,westby choked a laugh--8behind you1 don't do an unjust and arbitrary thing4 ,allison himself wouldn't have you--would you1 ,allison80 ,the victim grinned uncomfortably4 8,mr4 ,upton10 urged ,westby1 8you wouldn't have me soil these hands80 ,he displayed his laudably clean1 pink fingers4 8,of course1 if ,i go up there ,i shall get my hands all dirty--and equally of course if ,i had been up there1 they would be all dirty now4 ,surely you believe in the value of circumstantial evidence2 therefore1 before we fix the responsibility1 let us search for the dirty pair of hands40 8,time is up10 said ,irving1 closing his watch4 8,but what is time when justice trembles in the balance80 argued ,westby4 8,when the innocent is in danger of being punished for the guilty1 when--0 8,westby1 please climb that ladder at once40 8,so young and so inexorable60 murmured ,westby1 setting his foot upon the ladder4 ,irving's face was red2 the tittering of the audience was making him angry4 ,he held his eyes on ,westby1 who made a slow1 grunting progress up three rungs and then stopped4 8,mr4 ,upton1 ,mr4 ,upton1 sir60 ,westby's voice was ingratiating4 8,mayn't ,allison sing for us1 sir80 ,allison grinned again foolishly and sent a sprawling foot out towards his persecutor2 the others laughed4 8,keep on climbing10 said ,irving4 ,westby resumed his toilsome way1 and as he moved he kept murmuring remarks to ,allison1 to the others1 to ,irving himself1 half audible1 rapid1 in an aggrieved tone4 8,don't see why you want to be conspicuous this way1 ,allison4--,won't sing--amuse anybody--ornamental1 ,i suppose--good timekeeper though--almost hear you tick4 ,mr4 ,upton--setting watch by you now--awfully severe kind of man--0 ,so mumbling1 with the responsive titter still continuing below and ,irving standing there stern and red1 ,westby disappeared into the loft4 ,there was a moment's silence1 then a sudden clicking of a ratchet wheel1 and ,allison began to rise rapidly towards the ceiling4 8,a-ay60 cried ,allison in amazement4 ,the boys burst out in delighted laughter4 8,westby6 ,westby6 ,stop that60 ,irving's voice was shrill with anger4 ,allison became stationary once more1 and ,westby displayed an innocent1 surprised face at the loft opening4 8,if there is any more nonsense in letting ,allison down1 ,i shall really have to report you40 ,irving's voice rose tremulously to a high key2 he was trying hard to control it4 ,westby gazed down with surprise4 8,why1 ,i guess ,i must have turned the crank the wrong way1 don't you suppose ,i did1 ,mr4 ,upton8--,don't worry1 ,allison1 old man2 ,i'll rescue you1 never fear4 ,i'll try to lower you gently1 so that you won't get hurt2 you'll call out if you find you're coming down too fast1 won't you80 ,he withdrew his head1 and presently the ratchet wheel clicked and slowly1 very slowly1 ,allison began to descend4 ,when his feet were a couple of inches from the floor1 the descent stopped4 8,all right now80 called ,westby from above4 8,no60 bawled ,allison4 8,ve-ry gently then1 ve-ry gently10 replied ,westby2 and ,allison1 reaching for the floor with his toes1 had at last the satisfaction of feeling it4 ,he wriggled out of the noose and smoothed out his rumpled coat4 8,saved60 exclaimed ,westby1 peering down from the opening1 and then he added sorrowfully1 8,saved1 and no word of gratitude to his rescuer60 8,now1 boys1 don't stand round here any longer2 we've had enough nonsense2 go to your rooms10 said ,irving4 8,mr4 ,upton1 ,mr4 ,upton1 ,mr4 ,upton1 sir60 clamored ,westby1 and the boys lingered4 ,irving looked up in exasperation4 8,what is it now80 8,may ,i come down1 please1 sir80 8,yes40 8,thank you1 sir40 ,carefully ,westby descended the ladder1 mumbling all the time sentences of which the lingerers caught fragmentary scraps3 8,horrible experience that of ,allison's--dreadful situation to have been in--so fortunate that ,i was at hand--the man who dares--reckless courage1 ready resource--home again60 ,he dropped to the floor1 and raising his hand to his forehead1 saluted ,irving4 8,come1 move on1 all you fellows10 said ,irving2 the others were still hanging about and laughing2 8move on1 move on6 ,carroll1 you and ,westby take that ladder down and put it back where you got it40 ,he stayed to see that the order was carried out2 then he returned to his room4 ,he felt that though he had conquered in this instance1 he had adopted the wrong tone1 and that he must offer something else than peevishness and irritation to ward off ,westby's humor2 already it gave indications of becoming too audacious4 ,yet on the whole ,irving was pleased because he had at least asserted himself--and had rather enjoyed doing it4 ,and an hour later it seemed to him that he had lost all that he had gained4 ,roast beef was the unvarying dish at ,sunday dinner2 a large and fragrant sirloin was set before the head of each table to be carved4 ,irving took up the carving knife and fork with some misgivings4 ,hitherto he had had nothing more difficult to deal with than steaks or chops or croquettes or stews2 and carving was an art that he had never learned2 confronted by the necessity1 he was amazed to find that he had so little idea of how to proceed4 ,the first three slices came off readily enough1 though they were somewhat ragged1 and ,irving was aware that ,westby was surveying his operations with a critical interest4 ,the knife seemed to grow more dull1 the meat more wobbly1 more tough1 the bone got more and more in the way2 the maid who was passing the vegetables was waiting1 all the boys except the three who had been helped first were waiting1 coldly critical1 anxiously apprehensive2 silence at this table had begun to reign4 ,irving felt himself blushing and muttered1 8,this knife's awfully dull10 as he sawed away4 ,at last he hacked off an unsightly slab and passed it to ,westby1 whose turn it was and who wrinkled his nose at it in disfavor4 8,please have this knife sharpened10 ,irving said to the maid4 ,she put down the potatoes and the corn1 and departed with the instrument to the kitchen4 ,irving glanced at the other tables2 everybody seemed to have been served1 everybody was eating2 ,scarborough1 who was in charge of the next table1 had entirely demolished his roast4 8,i'm sorry to keep you fellows waiting10 ,irving said1 8but that's the dullest knife ,i ever handled40 ,he addressed the remark to the totally unprovided side of his table2 he turned his head just in time to catch ,westby's humorous mouth and droll droop of an eyelid4 ,the other boys smiled1 and ,irving's cheeks grew more hot4 8,you'll excuse me1 ,mr4 ,upton1 if ,i don't wait1 won't you80 said ,westby4 8,don't get impatient1 fellows40 ,the maid returned with the carving knife2 ,westby paused in his eating to observe4 ,irving made another unsuccessful effort2 the meat quivered and shook and slid under his attack1 and the knife slipped and clashed down upon the platter4 8,perhaps if you would stand up to it1 sir1 you would do better10 suggested ,westby1 in an insidious voice4 8,nobody else does1 but if it would be easier--0 8,thank you1 but the suggestion is unnecessary10 ,irving retorted4 ,he added to the other boys1 while he struggled1 8,it's the meat1 ,i guess1 not the knife1 after all--0 8,why1 ,i shouldn't say it was the meat10 interposed ,westby4 8,the meat's quite tender40 ,irving glanced at him in silent fury1 clamped his lips together1 and went on sawing4 ,he finally was able to hand to ,carroll a plate on which reposed a mussy-looking heap of beef4 ,carroll wrinkled his nose over it as ,westby had done4 8,if ,i might venture to suggest1 sir10 said ,westby politely1 8you could send it out and have it carved in the kitchen40 ,irving surrendered2 he looked up and said to the maid1-- 8,please take this out and have it carved outside40 ,he felt that he could almost cry from the humiliation1 but instead he tried to assume cheerfulness and dignity4 8,i'm sorry10 he said1 8to have to keep you fellows waiting2 we'll try to arrange things so that it won't happen again40 ,the boys accepted the apology in gloomy silence4 ,at ,scarborough's table their plight was exciting comment2 ,irving was aware of the curious glances which had been occasioned by the withdrawal of the roast4 ,it seemed to him that he was publicly disgraced2 there was a peculiar ignominy in sitting at the head of a table and being unable to perform the simplest duty of host4 ,worst of all1 in the encounter with ,westby he had lost ground4 ,the meat was brought on again1 sliced in a manner which could not conceal the unskillfulness of the original attack4 8,stone cold60 exclaimed ,blake1 the first boy to test it4 ,irving's temper flew up4 8,don't be childish10 he said4 8,and don't make any more comments about this matter4 ,it's of no importance--and cold roast beef is just as good for you as hot40 8,if not a great deal better10 added ,westby with an urbanity that set every one snickering4 ,after dinner ,irving was again on duty for two hours in the dormitory1 until the time for afternoon chapel4 ,during part of this period the boys were expected to be in their rooms1 preparing the ,bible lesson which had to be recited after chapel to the rector4 ,irving made the rounds and saw that each boy was in his proper quarters1 then went to his own room4 ,for an hour he enjoyed quiet4 ,then the bell rang announcing that the study period was at an end4 ,instantly there was a commotion in the corridors--legitimate enough2 but soon it centred in the north wing and grew more and more clamorous1 more and more mirthful4 ,with a sigh ,irving went forth to quell it4 ,he determined that whatever happened he would not this time lose his temper2 he would try to be persuasive and yet firm4 ,the noise was in ,allison's room2 the unfortunate ,allison was again being persecuted4 ,loud whoops of laughter and the sound of vigorous scuffling1 of tumbling chairs and pounding feet1 came to ,irving's ears4 ,the door to ,allison's room was wide open2 ,irving stood and looked upon a pile of bodies heaped on the bed1 with struggling arms and legs2 even in that moment the foot of the iron bedstead collapsed1 and the pile rolled off upon the floor4 ,there were ,morrill and ,carroll and ,westby and ,dennison and at the bottom ,allison--all looking very much rumpled1 very red4 8,oh1 come1 fellows60 said ,irving in what he intended to make an appealing voice4 8,less noise1 less noise--or ,i shall really have to report you--,i shall really60 ,but he did not speak with any confidence2 his manner was hesitating1 almost deprecating4 ,the boys grinned at him and then sauntered1 rather indifferently1 out of the room4 ,there was no more disorder that day4 ,but some hours later1 when ,irving came up to the dormitory before supper1 he heard laughter in the west wing1 where ,collingwood and ,westby and ,scarborough had their rooms4 ,then he heard ,westby's voice1 raised in an effeminate1 pleading tone3 8,less noise1 fellows1 less noise--or ,i shall have to report you--,i shall really60 ,there was more laughter at the mimicry1 and ,irving heard ,collingwood ask1 8,where did you get that1 ,wes80 8,oh1 from ,kiddy--this afternoon40 8,poor ,kiddy6 ,he seemed to be having an awful time at noon over that roast beef40 8,he's such a dodo--he's more fun than a goat4 ,i can put him up in the air whenever ,i want to10 boasted ,westby4 8,he's the easiest to get rattled ,i ever saw4 ,i'm going to play horse with him in class to-morrow40 8,how80 asked ,collingwood2 and ,irving basely pricked up his ears4 8,oh1 you'll see40 ,irving closed the door of his room quietly4 8,we'll see1 will we80 he muttered1 pacing back and forth4 8,yes1 ,i guess some one will see40 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,the ,,baiting ,,of ,a ,,master ,the room in which the ,sixth ,form assembled for the lesson in ,geometry was on the top floor of the ,study building2 the windows overlooked the pond behind the ,gymnasium4 ,the teacher's desk was on a platform in the corner2 a blackboard extended along two walls2 and there were steps beneath the blackboard on which the students stood to make their demonstrations4 ,irving arrived a minute before the hour and found his class already assembled--a suspicious circumstance4 ,there was1 too1 he felt1 an air of subdued1 joyous expectancy4 ,he took his seat and1 adjusting his spectacles1 peered round the room2 his eyesight was very bad1 and he had1 moreover1 like so many bookworms1 never trained his faculty of observation4 ,he read the roll of the class2 every boy was there4 8,scarborough1 you may go to the blackboard and demonstrate the ,fifth ,theorem2 ,dennison1 you the ,sixth2 ,westby1 you the ,eighth4 ,the rest of you will solve at your seats this problem40 ,he mounted to the blackboard himself and wrote out the question4 ,while he had his back turned1 he heard some whispering2 he looked over his shoulder4 ,westby was lingering in his seat and had obviously been holding communication with his neighbor4 8,westby10--,irving's voice was sharp1--8were you trying to get help at the last moment80 8,i was not40 ,westby's answer was prompt4 8,then don't delay any longer1 please2 go to the blackboard at once40 8,yes1 sir40 ,westby moved to the blackboard on the side of the room--the one at right angles to that on which ,irving and ,scarborough were at work4 ,irving finished his writing1 dusted the chalk from his fingers1 and returned to his seat4 ,the boys before him were now bent industriously over their tablets2 ,scarborough1 ,westby1 and ,dennison were drawing figures on the blackboard1 using the long pointers for rulers and making beautiful circles by means of chalk attached to pieces of string4 ,a glance at ,westby showed that youth apparently intent upon solving the problem assigned him and at work upon it intelligently4 ,irving began to feel serene2 he proceeded to correct the algebra exercises of the ,fourth ,form1 which he had received the hour before4 ,a sudden titter from some one down in front1 hastily suppressed and transformed into a cough1 caused him to look up4 ,morrill1 with his mouth hidden behind his hand1 was glancing off toward ,westby1 and ,irving followed the direction of the glance4 ,westby had completed his geometrical figures and was now engaged in labeling them with letters4 ,but instead of employing the usual geometrical symbols ,a1 ,b1 ,c1 and so on1 he was skipping about through the alphabet1 and ,irving immediately perceived that he was not choosing letters at random4 ,irving observed that the initials of his own name1 ,i1 ,c1 ,u1 formed1 as it were1 the corner-stone of the geometrical edifice4 ,at that moment ,westby coughed--an unnatural cough4 ,and instantly a miracle happened2 every single wooden eraser--there were half a dozen of them--leaped from its place on the shelf beneath the blackboard and tumbled clattering down the steps to the floor4 ,at the same instant ,westby flung up both arms1 tottered on the topmost step1 and succeeded in regaining his poise with apparently great difficulty4 ,the class giggled4 8,mr4 ,upton1 sir6 ,mr4 ,upton1 sir60 cried ,westby excitedly4 8,did you feel the earthquake8 ,it was very noticeable on this side of the room4 ,do you think it's safe for us to stay indoors1 sir8 ,there may be another shock60 8,westby10 ,irving's voice had a nervous thrill that for the moment quieted the laughter1 8did you cause those erasers to be pulled down80 8,did ,i cause them to be pulled down8 ,i don't understand1 sir4 ,how could ,i1 sir8 ,six of them all at once60 8,bring me one of those erasers1 please40 ,westby stooped2 there was a sound of snapping string4 ,then he came forward and presented the eraser4 8,you tied string to all these erasers1 did you80 ,irving examined the fragment that still clung to the object4 8,and then arranged to have them pulled down80 8,you see how short that string is1 sir2 nobody could have reached it to pull it4 ,didn't you feel the earthquake1 sir8 ,didn't you see how it almost threw me off my feet8 ,really1 ,i don't believe it's quite safe to stay here--0 8,you may be right2 ,i shouldn't wonder at all if there was a second shock coming to you soon10 said ,irving1 and the subdued chuckle that went round the class told him he had scored4 8,you may now demonstrate to the class the ,theorem assigned you40 8,yes1 sir40 ,westby turned and took up the pointer4 8,we have here10 he began1 8the two triangles ,i ,c ,u and ,j ,a ,y--with the angle ,i ,c ,u of the one equal to the angle ,j ,a ,y of the other40 ,the class tittered2 ,westby went on glibly1 bending the lath-like pointer between his hands3 8,let us now erect the angle ,k ,i ,d1 equal to the angle ,i ,c ,u2 then the angle ,k ,i ,d will also be equal to the angle ,j ,a ,y--things equal to the same thing are equal to each other40 ,westby stopped to turn a surprised1 questioning look upon the snickering class4 8,yes1 that will do for that demonstration10 said ,irving4 ,he rose from his seat2 his lips were trembling1 and the laughter of the class ceased4 8,you may leave the room--for your insolence--at once60 ,he had meant to be dignified and calm1 but his anger had rushed to the surface1 and his words came in a voice that suggested he was on the verge of tears4 8,i beg your pardon1 sir1 but ,i don't think ,i quite understand10 said ,westby suavely4 8,you understand well enough4 ,i ask you to leave the room40 8,i'm afraid1 ,mr4 ,upton1 that my little pleasantries--usually considered harmless--do not commend themselves to you4 ,but you hurt my feelings very much1 sir1 when you apply such a harsh word as insolence to my whimsical humor--0 8,i'll hold no argument with you10 cried ,irving2 in his excitement his voice rose thin and thrill4 8,leave the room at once40 ,westby laid the pointer and the chalk on the shelf1 blew the dust from his fingers1 and walked towards his seat4 ,irving took a step forward2 his face was white4 8,what do you mean6--,what do you mean6 ,i told you to leave the room40 ,westby faced him with composure through which showed a sneer2 for the first time the boy was displaying contempt2 hitherto his attitude had been jocose and cajoling4 8,i was going for my cap10 he said1 and his eyes flashed scornfully4 ,then1 regardless of the master's look1 he continued past the row of his classmates1 took up his cap1 and retraced his steps towards the door4 ,irving stood watching him1 with lips compressed in a stern line2 the line thinned even more when he saw ,westby bestow on his friends a droll1 drooping wink of the left eyelid4 ,and then1 while all the class sat in silence1 ,westby did an audacious thing--a thing that set every one except ,irving off into a joyous titter4 ,he went out of the door doing the sailor's hornpipe1--right hand on stomach1 left hand on back1 left hand on stomach1 right hand on back1 and taking little skips as he alternated the position4 ,and so1 skipping merrily1 he disappeared down the corridor4 ,irving returned to his platform4 ,his hands were trembling1 and he felt weak4 ,when he spoke1 he hardly knew his own voice4 ,but he struggled to control it1 and said1-- 8,scarborough1 please go to the board and demonstrate your theorem40 ,there was no more disorder in class that day2 in fact1 after ,westby's disappearance the boys were exceptionally well behaved4 ,slowly ,irving recovered his composure1 yet the ordeal left him feeling as if he wanted to shut himself up in his room and lie down4 ,he knew that he had lost command of his temper2 he regretted the manner in which he had stormed at ,westby2 but he thought nevertheless that the treatment had been effective and therefore not entirely to be deplored4 ,the boys had thought him soft2 he had shown them that he was not2 and he determined that from this time forth he would bear down upon them hard4 ,if by showing them amiability and kindliness he had failed to win their respect1 he would now compel it by ferocity4 ,he would henceforth show no quarter to any malefactor4 ,walking up to his room1 he fell in with ,barclay1 who was also returning from a class4 8,what is the extreme penalty one can inflict on a boy who misbehaves80 he asked4 8,for a single act80 asked ,barclay4 8,for one that's a climax of others--insolence1 disobedience1 disorder--all heaped into one40 ,irving spoke hotly1 and ,barclay glanced at him with a sympathetic interest4 8,well10 said ,barclay1 8three sheets and six marks off in decorum is about the limit4 ,after that happens to a boy two or three times1 the rector is likely to take a hand4--,if you don't mind my saying it1 though--in my opinion it's a mistake to start in by being extreme40 8,in ordinary cases1 perhaps40 ,irving's tone did not invite questioning1 and he did not confide to ,barclay what extraordinary case he had under consideration4 ,when he reached his room1 he wrote out on a slip of paper1 8,westby1 insolence and disorder in class1 three sheets10 and laid the paper on his desk4 ,then he undertook to correct the exercises in geometry which had been the fruit of the ,sixth ,form's labors in the last hour2 but after going through five or six of them1 his mind wandered2 it reverted uneasily to the thought of his future relations with those boys4 ,he rose and paced about the room1 and hardened his heart4 ,he would be just as strict and stern and severe with them all as he possibly could be4 ,when he had them well trained1 he might attempt to win their liking--if that seemed any longer worth having6 ,it did not seem so to him now2 all he wanted to know now was that he had awakened in them respect and fear4 ,respect and fear--could he have inspired those1 by his excitable shriekings in the class room1 by his lack of self-control in dormitory and at the dinner table1 by his incompetence when confronted with a roast of beef6 ,each incident that recurred to him was of a kind to bring with it the sting of mortification2 his cheeks tingled4 ,he must at least learn how to perform the simple duties expected of a master2 he could not afford to continue giving exhibitions of ignorance and incompetence4 ,moved by this impulse1 he descended to the kitchen--precincts which he had never before entered and in which his appearance created at first some consternation4 ,the cook1 however1 was obliging2 and when he had confessed himself the incapable one who had sent out the mutilated beef to be carved1 she was most reassuring in her speech1 and taking the cold remains of a similar cut from the ice chest1 she gave him an object lesson4 ,she demonstrated to him how he should begin the attack1 how he might foil the bone that existed only to baffle1 how slice after slice might fall beneath his sure and rapid slashes4 8,i see10 said ,irving1 taking the knife and fork from her and making some imaginary passes4 8,the fork so--the knife so4 ,and you will always be sure to have a sharp carving knife for me--very sharp80 ,the cook smiled and promised1 and he extravagantly left her contemplating a dollar bill4 ,shortly after he had returned to his room the bell on the ,study building rang1 announcing the end of the morning session4 ,there was half an hour before luncheon2 soon the boys came tramping up the stairs and past ,irving's closed door4 ,soon also a racketing began in the corridors2 ,irving suspected an intention to bait him still further2 it was probably ,westby once again4 ,he waited until the noise became too great to be ignored--shouting and battering and scuffling2 then he went forth to quell it4 ,to his surprise ,westby was not engaged in the disturbance--was1 in fact1 not visible4 ,collingwood1 with his back turned1 was in the act of hurling a football to the farther end of the corridor1 where ,scarborough and ,morrill and ,dennison were gathered4 ,the forward pass was new in football this year1 and although the playing season had not yet begun1 ,irving had already seen fellows practicing for it1 in front of the ,study and behind the dormitory4 ,collingwood1 he knew1 was captain of the school football eleven1 and naturally had all the latest developments of the game1 such as the forward pass1 very much on his mind4 ,still that was no excuse for playing football in the corridor4 ,morrill had caught the ball1 and as ,irving approached1 undertook to return it4 ,but it ricochetted against the wall and bounced down at ,collingwood's feet4 ,collingwood seized it and was poising it in his hand for another throw when ,irving spoke behind him--sharply1 for he was mindful of his resolve to be severe3-- 8,no more of that1 ,collingwood40 ,the boy turned eagerly and said1-- 8,oh1 ,mr4 ,upton1 ,i'm just getting on to how to do it4 ,here1 let me show you4 ,you take it this way1 along the lacings--the trouble is1 my hand's not quite long enough to get a good grip--and then you take it like this--0 8,yes10 said ,irving coldly2 he had an idea that ,collingwood had adopted ,westby's method and was engaged in chaffing him4 8,you needn't show me40 ,and he turned abruptly and went into his room1 closing the door behind him4 ,collingwood stood1 looking round over his shoulder after ,irving and holding the ball out in the arrested attitude of one about to throw4 ,on his face was an expression of utter amazement1 which rapidly gave place to indignation4 ,collingwood had a temper1 and sometimes--even when he was not on the football field--it flared up4 8,of all the chumps60 he muttered2 and he turned1 and poising the ball again1 flung it with all his strength at the master's door4 ,it went straight to the mark1 crashed against the upper panel with a tremendous bang1 and rebounded to ,collingwood's feet4 ,irving opened the door and came out with a leap4 8,collingwood10 he cried1 and his voice was quivering as it had quivered that morning in class1 8did you throw that ball80 8,i did10 said ,collingwood4 8,very well4 ,i shall report you4 ,i will have no more of this insolence40 ,he swung round and shut himself again in his room4 ,the fellows at the other end of the corridor had stood aghast2 now they came hurrying up4 ,collingwood was laughing4 8,kiddy's getting to be a regular lion10 he said1 and when ,morrill and ,dennison were for expressing their indignation1 he only laughed the more4 ,it was not very pleasant for ,irving at luncheon4 ,westby gave him an amused glance when he came in--more amused than hostile--and ,irving preserved his dignity by returning an unflinching look4 ,westby made no further overtures for a while2 the other boys chattered among themselves1 about football and tennis1 and ,irving sat silent at the head of the table4 ,at last1 however1 ,westby turned to him4 8,mr4 ,upton10 said ,westby deferentially1 8how would you explain this8 ,there's a dog1 and he must be doing one of two things2 either he's running or he's not running4 ,if he's not doing the one1 he is doing the other1 isn't he80 8,i suppose so10 said ,irving4 8,well1 he's not running4 ,therefore--he is running4 ,how do you explain that1 ,mr4 ,upton80 ,irving smiled feebly2 the other boys were thinking it over with puzzled faces4 8,that's an old quibble10 said ,irving4 8,the alternative for running is not running4 ,therefore when he's not running--he's not running40 8,i don't see that that explains it10 answered ,westby4 8,that's just making a statement--but it isn't logic40 8,he's not running is the negative of he's running2 he's not not-running is the negative of he's not running--0 8,then10 said ,westby1 8how fast must a dog travel that is not not-running to catch a dog that is not exactly running but only perhaps80 ,the boys laughed2 ,irving retorted1 8,that's a problem that you might work out on the blackboard sometime40 ,thereupon ,westby became silent1 and ,irving more than half repented of his speech2 he knew that in its reference it had been ill-natured4 ,he noticed later in the day when he went up to the dormitory that the boys tiptoed about the corridors and conversed in whispers2 there was an extravagant air of quiet4 ,when they went down to supper1 they tiptoed past ,irving's room in single file1 saying in unison1 8,sh6 ,sh6 ,sh60 ,they all joined in this procession--from ,collingwood to ,allison4 ,irving felt that he had taken ,allison's place as the laughing-stock1 the butt of the dormitory4 ,in the evening they came to bid him good-night--not straggling up as they usually did1 but in a delegation1 expectant and amused4 ,westby and ,collingwood were in the van when ,irving opened his door in response to the knock4 8,we didn't know whether you'd shake hands with two such reprobates or not10 said ,westby4 8,we thought it wasn't quite safe to come up alone--so we've brought a bodyguard40 ,irving did not smile1 though1 all the boys were grinning4 ,he shook hands formally with ,collingwood1 then with ,westby1 then with the others1 saying good-night to each2 as they left him1 they tiptoed to their rooms4 ,he thought grimly that1 whatever might be the sentiments entertained towards him1 he would not long be living in an atmosphere of ridicule4 ,irving had charge of the 8big study10 as it was called1 during the hour immediately after morning chapel4 ,the boys filed in from chapel and seated themselves at their desks2 the members of the ,sixth ,form1 who were privileged to study in their rooms and therefore had no desks in the schoolroom1 occupied the stalls along the wall under the big clock4 ,last of all the rector entered and1 mounting the platform1 read the 8reports0 for the day--that is1 the names of those who had transgressed and the penalties imposed4 ,after the reading1 the ,sixth ,form went upstairs to their ,latin class with ,mr4 ,barclay1 and the day's work began4 ,on the morning following his encounters with ,westby and with ,collingwood1 ,irving as usual took charge of the ,study4 ,the boys assembled2 ,irving rang the bell1 reducing them to quiet2 ,dr4 ,davenport came in1 mounted the platform1 and took up the report book--in which ,irving had just finished transcribing his entries4 ,dr4 ,davenport began reading in his clear1 emphatic voice1 8,out of bounds1 ,mason1 ,sterrett1 ,coyle1 one sheet2 late to study1 ,hart1 ,mc,quiston1 ,durfee1 ,stratton1 ,kane1 half a sheet2 tardy to breakfast--0 and so on4 ,none of the offenses were very serious2 and the rector read them out rapidly4 ,but at last he paused a moment2 and then1 looking up from the book1 he said1 with grave distinctness1 8,disorderly in class and insolent1 ,westby1 three sheets2 disorderly in dormitory and insolent1 ,collingwood1 three sheets40 ,he closed the book2 a stir1 a thrill of interest1 ran round the room4 ,for a ,sixth ,former to be charged with such offenses and condemned to such punishment was rare3 for ,collingwood1 who was in a sense the leader of the school1 to be so charged and punished was unprecedented4 ,collingwood1 sitting directly under the clock1 and facing so many curious questioning eyes1 turned red2 ,westby1 standing by the door1 looked at him and smiled4 ,at the same time1 ,dr4 ,davenport1 closing the report-book1 leaned towards ,irving and said quietly in his ear1-- 8,mr4 ,upton1 ,i should like to see you about those last two reports--immediately after this study hour40 ,irving reddened2 the rector's manner was not approving4 ,dr4 ,davenport descended from the platform and walked slowly down the aisle4 ,as he approached1 he looked straight at ,westby2 and ,westby returned the look steadily--as if he was ashamed of nothing4 ,the rector passed through the doorway2 the ,sixth ,form followed2 the day's work began4 ,,chapter ,v ,,master ,,turns ,,pupil ,the rector received ,irving with a smile4 8,well10 he said1 8,i think you must be a believer in the maxim1 #8,hit hard and hit first4' ,would you mind telling me what was the trouble80 8,it wasn't so much any one thing10 replied ,irving4 8,it was a culmination of little things4--,oh1 ,i suppose ,i started in wrong with the fellows somehow40 ,he was silent for a moment1 in dejection4 8,a good many do that10 said ,dr4 ,davenport4 8,there would be small progress in the world if there never was any rectifying of false starts40 8,i can hardly help it if ,i look young10 said ,irving4 8,that's one of my troubles4 ,i suppose ,i ought to avoid acting young4 ,i haven't1 altogether4 ,they call me ,kiddy40 8,we get hardened to nicknames10 observed the rector4 8,but often they're affectionate4 ,at least ,i like to cherish that delusion with regard to mine2 my legs have the same curve as ,napoleon's1 and ,i have been known as #8,old ,hoopo' for years40 8,but they don't call you that to your face40 8,no1 not exactly4 ,have they been calling you #8,kiddy' to your face80 8,it amounts to that40 ,irving narrated the remarks that he had overheard in dormitory1 and then described ,westby's performance at the blackboard4 8,that certainly deserved rebuke10 agreed the rector4 8,though ,i think ,westby was attempting to be facetious rather than insolent2 ,i have never seen anything to indicate that he was a malicious boy4--,what was it that ,louis ,collingwood did80 ,irving recited the offense4 8,weren't you a little hasty in assuming that he was trying to tease you80 asked the rector4 8,when he persisted in wanting to show you how the forward pass is made8 ,i think it's quite likely he was sincere2 he's so enthusiastic over football that it doesn't occur to him that others may not share his interest4 ,i don't think ,collingwood was trying to be #8fresh4' ,of course1 he shouldn't have lost his temper and banged the ball at your door--but ,i think that hardly showed malice40 8,it seemed to me it was insolent--and disorderly4 ,i felt the fellows all thought they could do anything with me and ,i would be afraid to report them4 ,and so ,i thought ,i'd show them ,i wasn't afraid40 8,at the same time1 three sheets is the heaviest punishment1 short of actual suspension1 that we inflict4 ,it seems hardly a penalty for heedless or misguided jocularity40 8,i think perhaps ,i was hard on ,collingwood10 admitted ,irving4 8,if he comes to you about it--maybe you'll feel disposed to modify the punishment4 ,and possibly the same with ,westby40 8,i don't feel sure that ,i've been too hard on ,westby40 ,the rector smiled2 he was not displeased at this trace of stubbornness4 8,well1 ,i won't advise you any further about that4 ,use your own judgment4 ,it takes time for a young man to get his bearings in a place like this4--,if you don't mind my saying it10 added the rector mildly1 8couldn't you be a little more objective in your interests80 8,you mean10 said ,irving1 8less--less self-centred80 8,that's it40 ,the rector smiled4 8,i'll try10 said ,irving humbly4 8,all right2 good luck40 ,the rector shook hands with him and turned to his desk4 ,there was no disturbance in the ,mathematics class that day4 ,irving hoped that after the hour ,westby and ,collingwood might approach him to discuss the justice of the reports which he had given them1 and so offer him an opportunity of lightening the punishment4 ,but in this he was disappointed4 ,nor did they come to him in the noon recess--the usual time for boys who felt themselves wronged to seek out the masters who had wronged them4 ,irving debated with himself the advisability of going to the two boys and voluntarily remitting part of their task4 ,but he decided against this2 to make the advances and the concession both would be to concede too much4 ,at luncheon there was an unpleasant moment4 ,no sooner had the boys sat down than ,blake1 a ,fifth ,former1 called across the table to ,westby1-- 8,say1 ,westby1 who was it that gave you three sheets80 ,westby scowled and replied1-- 8,mr4 ,upton40 8,what for80 8,oh1 ask him40 ,irving reddened1 aware of the glancing1 curious gaze of every boy at the table4 ,there was an interesting silence1 relieved at last by the appearance of the boy with the mail4 ,among the letters1 ,irving found one from ,lawrence2 he opened it with a sense that it afforded him a momentary refuge4 ,the unintended irony of the first words drew a bitter smile to his lips4 8,you are certainly a star teacher10 ,lawrence wrote1 8and ,i know now what a success you must be making with your new job4 ,i have just learned that ,i passed all the examinations--which is more than you or ,i ever dreamed ,i could do--so ,i am now a freshman at ,harvard without conditions4 ,and it's all due to you2 ,i don't believe there's another man on earth that could have got me through with such a record and in so short a time40 ,irving forgot the irony1 forgot ,westby and ,collingwood and the amused1 whispering boys4 ,happiness had suddenly flashed down and caught him up and borne him away to his brother4 ,lawrence's whole letter was so gay1 so exultant1 so grateful that ,irving1 when he finished it1 turned back again to the first page4 ,when at last he raised his eyes from it1 they dwelt unseeingly upon the boys before him2 they held his brother's image1 his brother's smile4 ,and from the vision he knew that there at least he had justified himself1 whatever might be his failure now2 and if he had succeeded once1 he could succeed again4 ,irving became aware that ,westby was treating him with cheerful indifference--ignoring him4 ,he did not care2 the letter had put into him new courage4 ,and pretty soon there woke in him along with this courage a gentler spirit2 it was all very well for ,westby1 a boy and therefore under discipline1 to exhibit a stiff and haughty pride2 but it was hardly admirable that a master should maintain that attitude4 ,the punishment to which he had sentenced ,westby and ,collingwood was1 it appeared1 too harsh2 if they were so proud that they would not appeal to him to modify it1 he would make a sacrifice in the interest of justice4 ,so after luncheon he followed ,westby and spoke to him outside of the dining-room4 8,westby10 he said1 8do you think that considering the circumstances three sheets is excessive80 ,westby looked surprised2 then he shrugged his shoulders4 8,i'm not asking any favors10 he replied4 ,irving laughed4 8,no10 he said1 8,i see you're not4 ,but ,i'm afraid ,i must deny you the pleasure of martyrdom4 ,i'll ask you to take a note to ,mr4 ,elwood--he's in charge of the ,study1 isn't he8 ,i'll tell him that you're to write a sheet and a half instead of three sheets40 ,he drew a note-book from his pocket and tore out one of the pages4 ,westby looked at him curiously--as if in an effort to determine just how poor-spirited this sudden surrender was4 ,irving spoke again before writing4 8,by the way1 will you please ask ,collingwood to come here80 ,when ,westby returned with ,collingwood1 ,irving had the note written and handed it to him2 there was no excuse for ,westby to linger4 ,he went over and waited by the door1 while ,irving said1-- 8,collingwood1 why didn't you come up and ask me to reduce your report8 ,didn't you think it was unfair80 8,yes10 ,collingwood answered promptly4 8,well1 then--why didn't you come to me and say so80 ,collingwood thought a moment4 8,well10 he said1 8you had such fun in soaking me that ,i wasn't going to give you the additional satisfaction of seeing me cry baby40 8,i'll learn something about boys sometime--if you fellows will keep on educating me10 observed ,irving4 8,i think your performance of yesterday deserves about a sheet2 we'll make it that40 ,he scribbled a note and handed it to the boy4 8,thank you1 ,mr4 ,upton40 ,collingwood tucked the note into his pocket with a friendly smile1 and then joined ,westby4 8,knock you down to half a sheet80 asked ,westby1 as they departed in the direction of the ,study1 where they were to perform their tasks4 8,no2 a sheet40 8,mine's one and a half now4 ,what got into him80 8,he's not without sense10 said ,collingwood4 8,ho60 ,westby was derisive4 8,he's soft4 ,he got scared4 ,he knew he'd gone too far--and he was afraid to stand by his guns40 8,i don't think so4 ,i think he's just trying to do the right thing40 ,it was unfortunate for ,irving that later in the afternoon ,carter of the ,fifth ,form--who played in the banjo club with ,westby--was passing the ,study building just as ,westby was coming out from his confinement4 8,hello1 ,wes60 said ,carter4 8,thought you were in for three sheets2 how do you happen to be at large so soon80 8,kiddy made it one and a half--without my asking him10 said ,westby4 8,and ,collingwood the same80 8,he made his only a sheet40 8,that's it10 said ,carter shrewdly4 8,i was waiting to see the rector this morning2 the door was open1 and he had ,kiddy in there with him4 ,i guess he was lecturing him on those reports2 ,i guess he told him he'd have to take off a couple of sheets40 8,i shouldn't wonder10 said ,westby4 8,i don't believe old ,hoopo would have interfered much on my account1--but ,i guess he couldn't stand for ,lou ,collingwood getting three sheets4 ,and ,kiddy1 the fox1 tried to make us think he was being magnanimous60 ,westby chuckled over his humorous discovery1 and as soon as possible imparted it to ,collingwood4 8,oh1 well1 what if the rector did make him do it80 said ,collingwood4 8,the way he did it shows he's all right--0 8,trying to get the credit with us for being just and generous60 observed ,westby4 8,oh1 ,i don't mind2 of course it's only ,kiddy40 ,and it was ,westby's view of the matter which most of the boys heard and credited4 ,so the improvement in the general attitude for which ,irving had hoped was hardly to be noticed4 ,he had some gratification the next ,sunday when the roast beef was brought on and he carved it with creditable ease and dispatch2 the astonishment of the whole table1 and especially of ,westby and ,carroll1 was almost as good as applause4 ,he could not resist saying1 in a casual way1 8,the knife seems to be sharp this ,sunday40 ,and he felt that for once ,westby was nonplussed4 ,but the days passed1 and ,irving felt that he was not getting any nearer to the boys4 ,at his table the talk went on before him1 mainly about athletics1 about college life1 about ,europe and automobiles1--all topics from which he seemed strangely remote4 ,it needed only the talk of these experienced youths to make him realize that he had gone through college without ever touching 8college life10--its sports1 its social diversions1 its adventures4 ,it had been for him a life in a library1 in classrooms1 in his own one shabby little room1--a cloistered life2 in the hard work of it and the successful winning of his way he had been generally contented and happy4 ,but he could not talk to these boys about 8college life0 as it appeared to them2 and they very soon1 perhaps by common consent1 eliminated him from the conversation4 ,nor was he able to cope with ,westby in the swift1 glancing monologues which flowed on and on sometimes1 to the vast amusement of the audience4 ,often to ,irving these seemed not very funny1 and he did not know which was the more trying--to sit grave and unconcerned in the midst of so much mirth or to keep his mouth stretched in an insincere1 wooden smile4 ,whichever he did1 he felt that ,westby always was taking notes1 to ridicule him afterwards to the other boys4 ,one habit which ,westby had was that of bringing a newspaper to supper and taking the table with him in an excursion over headlines and advertising columns4 ,his mumbling manner1 his expertness in bringing out distinctly a ridiculous or incongruous sentence1 and his skill in selecting such sentences at a glance always drew attention and applause2 he had the comedian's technique4 ,the boys at the neighboring tables1 hearing so much laughter and seeing that ,westby was provoking it1 would stop eating and twist round and tilt back their chairs and strain their ears eagerly for some fragment of the fun4 ,at last at the head table ,mr4 ,randolph took cognizance of this daily boisterousness1 spoke to ,irving about it1 and asked him to curb it4 ,irving thereupon suggested to ,westby that he refrain from reading his newspaper at table4 8,but all the fellows depend on me to keep them au courant1 as it were40 ,westby was fond of dropping into ,french in his arguments with ,irving4 8,you will have to choose some other time for it10 ,irving answered4 8,i understand that there is a rule against reading newspapers at table1 and ,i think it must be observed40 8,oh1 very well1--de bon cur10 said ,westby4 ,the next day at supper he appeared without his newspaper4 ,but in the course of the meal he drew from his pocket some newspaper clippings which he had pasted together and which he began to read in his usual manner4 ,soon the boys of the table were laughing1 soon the boys of the adjacent tables were twisting round and trying to share in the amusement4 ,westby read in his rapid consecutive way1-- 8#8,does no good unless taken as directed--pain in the back1 loins1 or region of the kidneys--danger signal nature hangs out--um--um--um4 ,mother attacks son with razor1 taking tip of left ear4 ,catcher ,dan ,mc,quilligan signs with the ,red ,sox--,the ,woman ,beautiful--,bright ,eyes3 ,every woman is entitled to a clear1 brilliant complexion--um--if she is not so blessed1 it is usually her own fault--um--,candidate for pulchritude3 reliable beauty shop--do not clip the eyelashes--um4--,domestic science column--,baked quail3 pick1 draw1 and wipe the bird outside and inside2 use a wet cloth4--,no1 ,hortense1 it is not necessary to offer a young man refreshments during an evening call4'0 ,westby was going on and on2 he had a hilarious audience now of three tables4 ,from the platform at the end of the dining-room ,mr4 ,randolph looked down and shook his head--shook it emphatically2 and ,irving1 seeing it1 understood the signal4 8,westby10 said ,irving4 8,westby60 ,he had to raise his voice4 8,yes1 sir80 ,westby looked up innocently4 8,i will have to ask you to discontinue your reading40 8,but this is not a newspaper40 8,it's part of one40 8,yes1 sir1 but the rule is against bringing newspapers to table--not against bringing newspaper clippings to table40 8,the rule's been changed10 said ,irving4 8,it now includes clippings40 8,you see how it is1 fellows40 ,westby turned to the others4 8,persecuted--always persecuted4 ,if ,i'm within the rules--they change the rules to soak me4 ,well10--he folded up his clippings and put them in his pocket1--8the class in current topics is dismissed4 ,but instead ,mr4 ,upton has very kindly consented to entertain us this evening--some of his inimitable chit-chat--0 8,i wouldn't always try to be facetious1 ,westby10 said ,irving4 8,i beg your pardon1 sir10 replied ,westby urbanely4 8,if ,i have wounded your sensibilities--,i would not do that--never--jamais--pas du tout40 ,irving said nothing2 it seemed to him that ,westby always had the last word2 it seemed to him as if ,westby was always skillfully tripping him up1 executing a derisive flourish over his prostrate form1 and then prancing away to the cheers of the populace4 ,but there were no more violent encounters1 such as had taken place in the class-room2 ,westby never quite crossed the line again2 and ,irving controlled his temper on threatening occasions4 ,these occurred in dormitory less often2 the fine weather and the fall sports--football and tennis and track athletics--kept the boys out-doors4 ,on rainy afternoons there was apt to be some noise and disorder--usually there was what was termed an 8,allison hunt10 which took various forms1 but which1 whether resulting in the dismemberment of the boy's room or the pursuit and battery of him with pillows along the corridors1 invariably required ,irving's interference to quell it4 ,this task of interference1 though it was one that he came to perform more and more capably1 never grew less distasteful or less humiliating2 he saw always the row of faces wearing what he construed as an impudent grin4 ,what seemed to him curious was the fact that ,allison after a fashion enjoyed--at least did not resent--the outrages of which he was the subject2 after them he would be found sitting amicably with his tormentors1 drinking their chocolate and eating their crackers and jam4 ,this was so different from his own attitude after he had been teased that ,irving could not understand it4 ,after studying the case1 he concluded that the 8,allison hunts0 were not prompted by any hatred of the subject1 but by the fact merely that he was big1 clumsy1 good-natured1 slow-witted--easy to make game of--and especially by the fact that when aroused he showed a certain joyous rage in his own defense4 ,but ,irving saw no way of learning a lesson from ,allison4 ,as the days went on1 the sense of his isolation in the ,school became more oppressive4 ,he had thought that if only the fellows would let him alone1 he would be contented2 he found that was not so4 ,they let him alone now entirely2 he envied those masters who were popular--whom boys liked to visit on ,sunday evenings1 who were consulted about contributions to the ,mirror1 the school paper1 who were invited to meetings of the ,stylus1 the literary society1 who coached the football elevens or went into the ,gymnasium and did 8stunts0 with the boys on the flying rings4 ,one day when he was walking down to the athletic field with ,mr4 ,barclay1 he said something that hinted his wistful and unhappy state of mind4 ,barclay had suspected it and had been waiting for such an opportunity4 8,why don't you make some interest for yourself which would put you on a footing with the boys--outside of the class-room and the dormitory80 he asked4 8,i wish ,i could4 ,but how80 8,you ought to be able to work up an interest of some sort10 said ,barclay vaguely4 8,i don't know anything about athletics2 ,i'm not musical1 ,i don't seem to be able to be entertaining and talk to the boys4 ,i guess ,i'm just a grind4 ,i shall never be of much use as a teacher2 it's bad enough to feel that you're not up to your job4 ,it's worse when it makes you feel that you're even less up to the job that you hoped to prepare for40 8,how's that80 8,i meant to study law2 ,i'd like to be a lawyer4 ,but what's the use8 ,if ,i can't learn to handle boys1 how can ,i ever hope to handle men8--and that's what a lawyer has to do1 ,i suppose40 8,look here10 said ,barclay4 8,you're still young2 if you've learned what's the matter with you--and you seem to have--you've learned more than most fellows of your age4 ,it's less than a month that you've been here1 and you've never had any experience before in dealing with boys4 ,why should you expect to know it all at once80 8,i suppose there's something in that4 ,but ,i feel that ,i haven't it in me ever to get on with them40 8,you're doing better now than you did at first2 they don't look on you entirely as a joke now1 do they80 8,perhaps not4--,oh10 ,irving broke out1 8,i know what the trouble is--,i want to be liked--and ,i suppose ,i'm not the likeable kind40 ,barclay did not at once dispute this statement1 and ,irving was beginning to feel hurt4 8,the point is10 said ,barclay at last1 8that to be liked by boys you've got to like them4 ,if you hold off from them and distrust them and try to wrap yourself up in a cloak of dignity or mystery1 they won't like you because they won't know you4 ,if you show an interest in them and their interests1 you can be as stern with them as justice demands1 and they won't lay it up against you4 ,but if you don't show an interest--why1 you can't expect them to have an interest in you40 ,they turned a bend in the road2 the athletic field lay spread out before them4 ,in different parts of it half a dozen football elevens were engaged in practice2 on the tennis courts near the athletic house boys in white trousers and sweaters were playing2 on the track encircling the football field other boys more lightly clad were sprinting or jogging round in practice for long-distance runs2 a few sauntered about as spectators1 with hands in their overcoat pockets4 8,there10 said ,barclay1 indicating a group of these idle observers1 8you can at least do that40 8,but what's the use80 8,make yourself a critic2 pick out eight or ten fellows to watch especially4 ,in football or tennis or running4 ,it doesn't much matter4 ,if they find you're taking an intelligent interest in what they're doing1 they'll be pleased4 ,westby1 for instance1 is running2 he's entered for the hundred yards in the fall games1--likely to win it1 too4 ,westby's your greatest trial1 isn't he8 ,then why don't you make a point of watching him8--,not too obviously1 of course4 ,come round with me2 ,i'm coaching some of the runners for the next half-hour1 and then ,collingwood wants me to give his ends a little instruction40 8,dear me6 ,if ,i'd only been an athlete instead of a student in college60 sighed ,irving whimsically4 8,you don't need to be much of an athlete to coach2 ,i never was so very much10 confided ,barclay4 8,but there are things you can learn by looking on40 ,they had reached the edge of the track2 ,barclay clapped his hands4 8,no1 no1 ,roberts60 ,the boy who was practising the start for a sprint looked up4 8,you mustn't reel all over the track that way when you start2 you'd make a foul4 ,keep your elbows in1 and run straight40 ,irving followed ,barclay round and tried to grasp the significance of his comments4 ,dennison came by at a trot4 8,longer stride1 ,dennison6 ,your running's choppy6 ,lengthen out1 lengthen out6 ,that's better4--,i have it60 ,barclay turned suddenly to ,irving4 8,what80 8,the thing for you to do4 ,we'll make you an official at the track games next week4 ,that will give you a standing at once--show everybody that you are really a keen follower of sport--or want to be40 8,but what can ,i do8 ,i suppose an official has to do something40 8,you can be starter4 ,that will put you right in touch with the fellows that are entered40 8,would ,i have a revolver8 ,i've never fired a gun off in my life40 8,then it's time you did4 ,of course you'll have a revolver4 ,and you'll be the noisiest1 most important man on the field4 ,that's what you need to make yourself2 wake the fellows up to what you really are6--,now ,i must be off to my football men2 you'd better hang round here and pick up what you can about running4 ,and remember--you're to act as starter40 8,if you'll see me through40 8,i'll see you through40 ,barclay waved his hand and swung off across the field4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,the ,,penalty ,,for ,a ,,foul ,how it was managed ,irving did not know1 but on the morning of the day when the fall handicap track games were held ,scarborough lingered after the ,sixth ,form ,geometry class4 ,scarborough was president of the ,athletic ,association4 8,we want somebody to act as starter for the races this afternoon1 ,mr4 ,upton10 said ,scarborough4 8,i wondered if you would help us out40 8,i should be delighted10 said ,irving4 8,i've not had much experience--0 8,oh1 it's easy enough2 ,mr4 ,barclay1 ,i guess1 can tell you all that has to be done4 ,thank you very much40 ,it was quite as if ,irving was the one who was conferring the favor2 he liked ,scarborough for the way in which the boy had made the suggestion4 ,he always had liked him1 for ,scarborough had never given any trouble2 he seemed more mature than most of the boys1 more mature even than ,louis ,collingwood4 ,he was not so popular1 because he maintained a certain dignity and reserve2 even ,westby seemed to stand somewhat in awe of ,scarborough4 ,he was1 as ,irving understood1 the best oarsman in the school1 captain of the school crew1 besides being the crack shot-putter and hammer-thrower2 if he and ,collingwood had together chosen to throw their influence against a new master1 life would indeed have been hard4 ,but ,scarborough's attitude had been one of entire indifference2 he would stand by and smile sometimes when ,westby was engaged in chaffing ,irving1 and then1 as if tired of it1 he would turn his back and walk away4 ,irving visited ,barclay at his house during the noon recess1 borrowed his revolver1 and received the last simple instructions4 8,make sure always that they're all properly #8set' before you fire4 ,if there's any fouling at the start1 you can call them back and penalize the fellow that fouled--a yard to five yards1 according to your discretion4 ,but there's not likely to be any fouling2 in most of the events the fellows are pretty well separated by their handicaps40 8,i'll be careful10 said ,irving4 ,he inspected the revolver4 8,it's all loaded80 8,yes--and there are some blank cartridges4 ,now1 you're all equipped4 ,if any questions come up--,i'll be down at the field2 ,i'm to be one of the judges and you can call on me40 ,at luncheon ,irving entered into the talk about the sports to come1 without giving any intimation as to the part which he was to play4 8,they've given ,heath only thirty yards over ,lou ,collingwood10 complained ,westby4 8,i thought ,lou wasn't going to run1 because of football2 he hasn't been practising10 said ,carroll4 8,i know1 but the ,pythians have got hold of him1 and ,dennison's persuaded him it's his duty to run4 ,and ,i guess he's good enough without practice to win from scratch--giving that handicap60 8,is ,dennison the captain of the ,pythian track team80 asked ,irving4 8,yes40 8,and who's captain of yours--the ,corinthians80 8,ned ,morrill40 8,morrill's going awfully fast in the quarter now10 said ,blake4 8,i timed him yesterday40 8,they've handicapped him pretty hard4 ,and he's apt to be just a shade late in starting--just as ,dave ,pratt is apt to be just a shade previous10 said ,westby4 8,it ought to be a close race between those two40 8,how much does ,pratt get over ,morrill80 8,five yards4 ,and if he steals another yard on the start--0 8,dave wouldn't steal it10 exclaimed ,blake indignantly4 8,you ,corinthians would accuse a man of anything60 8,oh1 ,i don't mean that he'd do it intentionally10 replied ,westby4 8,but he's so overanxious and eager always--and he's apt to get away without realizing--without the starter realizing4--,i wonder who's going to be starter1 by the way80 ,nobody knew2 ,irving did not enlighten them4 ,westby bethought him to ask the same question of ,scarborough half an hour later1 when they were dressing in the athletic house4 8,mr4 ,upton has consented to serve10 said ,scarborough gravely4 ,westby thumped himself down on a bench1 dangling one spiked running shoe by the string4 8,what6 ,kiddy60 8,the same10 said ,scarborough4 ,westby said nothing more2 he stooped and put on his shoe1 and then he rose and came over to ,scarborough1 who was untangling a knot4 ,he passed his hand over ,scarborough's head and remarked wonderingly1 8,feels perfectly normal--strange--strange60 ,morrill came in from outside1 clapping his hands4 8,corinthians out for the mile--,heath--,price--,bolton--,edwards- -all ready80 ,the four named answered by clumping on their spikes to the door4 ,a moment later came the ,pythian call from ,dennison2 ,collingwood and ,morse responded4 ,the first event of the day was about to begin4 ,westby leisurely brushed his hair1 which had been disarranged in the process of undressing2 he was like a cat in respect of his hair and could not endure to have it rumpled4 ,when it was parted and plastered down to his satisfaction1 he slipped a dressing gown on over his running clothes and went out of doors4 ,the fall track meet was not of the same importance as that in the spring1 which was a scratch event4 ,but there were cups for prizes1 and there was always much rivalry between the two athletic clubs1 the ,corinthians and ,pythians1 as to which could show the most winners4 ,so for that day the football players rested from their practice2 many of them in fact were entered in the sports--though1 like ,collingwood1 without any special preparation4 ,the school turned out to look on and cheer2 when ,westby left the athletic house1 he saw the boys lined up on the farther side of the track4 ,the field was reserved for contestants and officials2 already many figures in trailing dressing gowns were wandering over it1 and off at one side three or four were having a preliminary practice in putting the shot4 ,but most of those who were privileged to be on the field stood at the farther side1 where the start for the mile run was about to take place4 ,westby saw ,randolph and ,irving kneeling by the track1 measuring off the handicap distances with a tape line2 ,barclay walked along it1 and summoned the different contestants to their places4 ,by the time that ,westby had crossed the field1 the six runners were at their stations2 there was an interval of a hundred and forty yards between ,collingwood1 at scratch1 and young ,price of the ,fourth ,form4 ,westby came up and stood near ,irving1 and fixed him with a whimsical smile4 8,quite a new departure for you1 isn't it1 ,mr4 ,upton80 he said4 8,i thought ,i'd come down and see if you can run as fast as you can talk1 ,westby40 ,irving drew out the revolver1 somewhat ostentatiously4 8,i hope you won't shoot any one with that2 it looks to me as if you ought to be careful how you handle it1 sir40 8,thank you for the advice1 ,westby40 ,irving turned from the humorist1 and raised his voice4 8,all ready for the mile now6 ,on your marks6 ,set60 ,he held the pistol aloft and fired1 and the six runners trotted away4 ,there is nothing very exciting about the start of a mile run1 and ,irving felt that the intensity with which he had given the commands had been rather absurd4 ,it was annoying to think that ,westby had been standing by and finding perhaps in his nervousness a delectable subject for mockery and derision4 ,irving walked down the track towards the finish line4 ,he found ,barclay there holding the watch4 8,you seem to be discharging your arduous duties successfully10 said ,barclay4 8,oh1 so far40 ,irving looked up the track2 the foremost runners were rounding the curve at the end of their first lap4 ,he had a moment's longing to be one of them1 stretching his legs like them1 trying out his strength and speed on the smooth cinder track against others as eager as himself4 ,he had never done anything of that kind2 hardly until now had he ever felt the desire4 ,why it should come upon him now so poignantly he did not know2 but on this warm ,october afternoon1 when the air and the sunshine were as soft as in early ,september1 he wished that he might be a boy again and do the things which as a boy he had never done4 ,to be still young and looking on at the sports and the strife of youth1 sports and strife in which he had never borne a part--there was something humiliating and ignoble in the thought4 ,if he could only be for the moment the little ,fourth ,former there1 ,price--now flying on in the lead yet casting many fearful backward glances6--,poor child1 even ,irving's inexperienced eyes told him that he could never keep that pace4 8,go it1 kid60 cried three or four older boys good-naturedly1 as ,price panted by2 and he threw back his head and came down more springily upon his toes1 trying in response to the cheer to display his best form4 ,after him came ,bolton and ,edwards1 side by side2 and ,collingwood1 who started at scratch1 had moved up a little on ,morse and ,heath4 ,heath was considered the strongest runner in the event for the ,corinthians1 and they urged him on with cries of 8,heath6 ,heath60 as he made the turn4 8,you've got 'em1 ,lou60 shouted a group of ,pythians the next moment as ,collingwood passed4 ,it was early in the race for any great demonstration of excitement4 ,it was ,price whom ,irving watched with most sympathy4 ,when he got round on the farther side of the field1 his pace had slackened perceptibly2 ,bolton and ,edwards passed him and kept on widening the distance2 ,morse and ,heath passed him at the next turn2 and when he came down to the turn in front of the crowd1 running heavily1 ,collingwood overhauled and passed him4 ,it was rather an unfeeling thing for ,collingwood to do1 right there in front of the crowd1 but he was driven to it by force of circumstances2 the four other runners were holding on in a way he did not like4 ,the cries of encouragement to him and to ,heath were more urgent this time2 ,bolton and ,edwards and ,morse had their supporters too4 ,westby ran along the field beside ,price1 and ,irving felt a moment's indignation2 was ,westby taunting the plucky and exhausted small boy8 ,and then ,irving saw that he was not1 and at the same instant ,barclay turned to him and said1-- 8,price is ,westby's young cousin40 ,irving stood near enough to hear ,westby say1 8,good work1 ,tom2 you set the pace just right2 it'll kill ,collingwood4 ,now drop out40 ,price shook his head and kept on2 ,westby trotted beside him1 saying anxiously1 8,there's no use in your wearing yourself all out40 ,but ,price continued at his determined1 pounding trot4 8,he's a plucky kid10 said ,barclay4 8,rather nice of ,westby to take such an interest10 said ,irving4 ,barclay nodded4 ,from that point on it became a close and interesting race1 yet every now and then ,irving's eyes strayed to the small figure toiling farther and farther to the rear--but always toiling4 ,westby stood on the edge of the green oval1 not far away1 and when on the third lap ,heath came by in the lead1 ran with him a few moments and shouted advice and encouragement in his ear2 he had to shout1 for all the ,corinthians were shouting for ,heath now1 and the ,pythians were shouting just as loudly for ,collingwood1 who1 pocketed by the two other ,corinthians1 ,bolton and ,edwards1 was running fifteen yards behind4 ,morse1 the only ,pythian to support ,collingwood1 was hopelessly out of it4 ,westby left ,heath and turned his eyes backward4 ,his cousin came to the turn1 white-faced1 and mouth hanging open2 the crowd clapped the boy4 8,quit it1 ,tom60 cried ,westby4 8,quit it2 there's no sense--0 but ,price went pounding on4 ,westby stood looking after him with a worried frown1 and then because there was a sudden shout1 he turned to look at the others4 ,there1 on the farther side of the field1 ,collingwood had at last extricated himself from the pocket2 he was running abreast of ,bolton2 ,edwards had fallen behind4 ,heath was spurting2 ,collingwood passed ,bolton1 but in doing so did not lessen ,heath's lead--a lead of fully fifteen yards4 ,so they came to the last turn1 to the long straight-away home-stretch2 and the crowd clustered by the finish broke and ran up alongside the track to meet them4 ,every one was yelling wildly--one name or another--8,corinthian60 8,pythian60 8,heath60 8,collingwood60 ,barclay ran across the track with one end of the tape1--the finish line2 ,mr4 ,randolph held the other4 8,collingwood6 ,collingwood60 rose the shout2 ,irving1 standing on tiptoe1 saw that ,collingwood was gaining1 saw that at last he and ,heath were running side by side2 they held together while the crowd ran with them shouting4 ,irving pressed closer to the track2 ,westby in his dressing gown was jumping up and down beside him1 waving his arms2 ,irving had to crane his neck and peer1 in order to see beyond those loose flapping sleeves4 ,he saw the light-haired ,collingwood and the black-haired ,heath1 coming down with their heads back and their teeth bared and clenched2 they were only fifteen yards away4 ,and then ,collingwood leaped ahead2 it was as if he had unloosed some latent and unconquerable spring1 which hurled him in a final burst of speed across the tape and into half a dozen welcoming arms4 ,heath stumbled after him1 even more in need of such friendly services2 but both of them revived very quickly when ,mr4 ,barclay1 rushing into the crowd with the watch1 cried1 8,within eight seconds of the record6 ,both of you fellows will break it next ,june40 ,the other runners came gasping in--and ,price was still toiling away in the rear4 ,he had been half a lap behind2 he came now into the home-stretch2 the crowd began to laugh1 and then more kindly1 as he drew nearer1 to applaud4 ,they clapped and called1 8,good work1 ,price60 ,westby met him about fifty yards from the finish and ran with him1 saying1 8,you've got to stick it out now1 ,tom2 you can't drop out now2 you're all right1 old boy--lots of steam in your boiler--you'll break a record yet40 ,irving caught some of the speeches4 ,and so ,westby was there when ,price crossed the line and collapsed in a heap on the track4 ,it was not for long2 they brought him to with water1 and ,westby knelt by him fanning his face with the skirt of his dressing gown4 ,barclay picked the boy up4 8,oh1 ,i'm all right1 sir10 said ,price1 and he insisted on being allowed to walk to the athletic house alone1--which he did rather shakily4 ,westby flirted the cinders from the skirt of his dressing gown4 8,blamed little fool10 he remarked to ,carroll and to ,allison1 who stood by4 8,wouldn't his mother give me the dickens1 though1 for letting him do that60 ,but ,irving1 who heard1 knew there was a ring of pride in ,westby's voice--as if ,westby felt that his cousin was a credit to the family4 ,and ,irving thought he was4 ,the sports went on2 not many of the runs were as exciting as that with which the afternoon had opened4 ,irving passed back and forth across the field1 helped measure distances for the handicaps1 and tried to be useful4 ,his interest had certainly been awakened4 ,twice in college he had sat on the 8bleachers0 and viewed indifferently the track contests between ,yale and ,harvard2 he had had a patriotic desire to see his own college win1 but he had been indifferent to the performance of the individuals4 ,they had not been individuals to him--merely strange figures performing in an arena4 ,but here1 where he knew the boys and walked about among them1 and saw the different manifestations of nervousness and excitement1 and watched the muscles in their slim legs and arms1 he became himself eager and sympathetic4 ,he stood by when ,scarborough went on putting the shot after beating all the other competitors--went on putting it in an attempt to break the ,school record4 ,unconsciously ,irving pressed forward to see him as he prepared for the third and last try2 unconsciously he stood with lips parted and eyes shining1 fascinated by the huge muscles that rose in ,scarborough's brown arm as he poised the weight at his shoulder and heaved it tentatively4 ,and when it was announced that the effort had fallen short by only a few inches1 ,irving's sigh of disappointment went up with that of the boys4 ,at intervals the races were run off--the two-twenty1 the quarter-mile1 the half-mile1 the high hurdles1 the low hurdles4 ,irving started them all without any mishap4 ,the last one1 the low hurdles for two hundred and twenty yards1 was exciting2 the runners were all well matched and the handicaps were small4 ,and so1 after firing the revolver1 ,irving started and ran across the field as hard as he could1 to be at the finish2 he arrived in time1 and stood1 still holding the revolver in his hand1 while ,morrill and ,flack and ,mason raced side by side to the tape4 ,they finished in that order1 not more than a yard apart2 and ,irving rammed his revolver into his pocket and clapped his hands and cheered with the ,corinthians4 ,the ,pythians were now two points ahead1 and there remained only one event1 the hundred yards4 ,first place counted five points and second place two2 in these games third place did not count4 ,so if a ,corinthian should win the hundred yards1 the ,corinthians would be victorious in the meet by one point4 ,there were eight entries in the hundred yards--a large number to run without interfering with one another4 ,but the track was wide1 and two of the boys had handicaps of ten yards1 one had five yards1 and one had three4 ,so they were spread out pretty well at the start1 and consequently the danger of interference was minimized4 ,the runners threw off their dressing gowns and took their places4 ,drake1 ,flack1 ,westby1 and ,mason lined up at scratch1--,westby having drawn the inside place and being flanked by the two ,pythians4 ,there was a moment's pawing of the cinders1 and settling down firmly on the spikes4 8,ready1 everybody60 cried ,irving4 ,he drew the revolver from his pocket and held it aloft4 ,he was as excited as any of the runners2 there was the nervous thrill in his voice4 8,on your marks60 ,they put their hands to the ground2 he ran his eyes along them to see that all were placed4 8,set60 ,there was the instant stiffening of muscles4 ,then from the revolver came a click4 ,irving had emptied the six chambers in starting the other races1 and had forgotten to reload4 8,just a moment1 fellows2 ease off60 he called1 and they all straightened up and faced towards him questioningly4 8,just till ,i slip in a cartridge10 ,irving explained with embarrassment4 ,westby turned on him a delighted grin1 and said1-- 8,can ,i be of any assistance1 ,mr4 ,upton80 8,no1 thank you10 said ,irving1 and having slipped in one cartridge1 he began filling the other chambers of the revolver4 8,it takes only one shot to start10 observed ,westby4 8,yes10 said ,irving4 8,if ,i fire a second1 it will be to call you back because of a false start4--,now then1--all ready once more4 ,on your marks60 ,they crouched4 8,set60 ,he fired4 ,somehow in the start ,westby's foot slipped1 and in trying to get clear he lunged against ,flack4 ,irving saw it and instantly fired a second shot1 and shouted1 8,come back1 come back60 ,the runners heeded the signal and the shout1 but as they tiptoed up the track1 they looked irritated4 8,westby1 you fouled ,flack40 ,irving spoke with some asperity4 8,i shall have to set you back a yard40 8,it was an accident10 ,westby replied warmly4 8,my foot slipped4 ,i couldn't help myself40 8,but it was a foul10 declared ,irving1 8and ,i shall have to set you back a yard40 8,it was an accident1 ,i tell you10 repeated ,westby4 8,if it was an accident1 you oughtn't to set him back10 said ,drake1 his fellow ,corinthian4 8,it's in the starter's discretion10 spoke up ,mason1 the ,pythian4 8,the penalty's a yard10 affirmed ,irving4 ,westby shut his lips tight and looked angrily contemptuous4 ,irving measured the distance4 8,there10 he said1 8you will start there40 ,westby took the place behind the others without a word4 8,ready now6 ,on your marks60 ,the pistol cracked1 and this time they all got away safely1 and ,irving raced after them over the grass4 ,from the crowd at the finish came the instant shout of names2 out of the short choppy cries two names especially emerged1 8,flack6 ,flack6 ,flack60 8,westby6 ,westby6 ,westby60 ,those two were the favorites for the event4 ,irving saw the scratch men forge ahead1 and mingle with the handicap runners2 in the confusion of flying white figures he could not see who were leading4 ,but the tumult near the finish grew wild2 arms and caps were swung aloft1 boys were leaping up and down2 the red-haired ,dennison ran along the edge of the track1 waving his arms2 ,morrill on the other side did the same thing2 the next moment the race had ended in a tumultuous rush of shouting boys4 ,illustration3 ,,as ,,to ,,who ,,had ,,won1 ,,irving ,,had ,,not ,,the ,,slightest ,,idea ,as to who had won1 ,irving had not the slightest idea4 ,he was hastening up to find out--hoping that it had been ,westby4 ,and then out from the crowd burst ,westby and rushed towards him1 panting1 flushed1 hot-eyed1 attended by ,morrill and half a dozen other ,corinthians4 8,i hope you're satisfied with your spite-work10 said ,westby4 ,his voice shook with passion1 his eyes blazed2 never before had ,irving seen him when he had so lost control of himself4 8,you lost me that race--by half a yard6 ,i hope you're pleased with yourself60 ,he surveyed ,irving scornfully1 breathing hard1 then turned his back and strode off to the athletic house4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,the ,,worm ,,begins ,,to ,,turn ,after the charge which ,westby had flung at him so furiously1 ,irving looked in amazement to the other boys for an explanation4 ,they were all ,corinthians1 and he saw gloom and resentment in their faces4 8,i think it was pretty rough1 ,mr4 ,upton1 to penalize him for an unintentional foul10 said ,morrill4 8,he'd have beaten ,flack if they'd started even40 8,but it was a foul10 protested ,irving4 8,so ,i had to penalize him4 ,i made it as small a penalty as ,i could40 8,you didn't have to penalize him unless you wanted to10 said ,morrill grimly4 8,of course you had a perfect right to do as you pleased1 only--0 ,he shrugged his shoulders and walked away1 followed by the other ,corinthians4 ,irving stood stricken4 ,so this was the outcome2 in seeking to be sympathetic and to be understood1 he had only caused himself somehow to be more hated and despised4 ,bitterness rose within him1 bitterness against ,westby1 against ,morrill1 against boys in general1 against the school4 ,and only an hour ago1 from what he had seen and heard1 he had felt that he could like ,westby1 and had been not without some hope that ,westby might some time like him4 ,he saw ,barclay standing with ,mr4 ,randolph by the table on which were the prize cups2 ,barclay was bending over1 arranging them1 and the boys were gathering on the opposite side of the track1 being 8policed back0 by the half-dozen members of the athletic committee4 ,evidently the award of prizes was to be made at once1 and either ,barclay or ,randolph was to hand out the cups--perhaps also to make a speech4 ,but ,irving could not wait2 he must satisfy himself of his doubts and fears1 and so he hurried forward and touched ,barclay on the shoulder4 8,just a moment1 please10 he said1 as ,barclay turned4 8,did ,i do anything wrong80 8,you penalized ,westby a yard for fouling1 ,i heard2 is that so80 8,yes40 8,well1 you were within your rights4 ,but if it was obviously an unintentional foul1 ,i shouldn't have been so strict40 8,i misunderstood what you told me10 sighed ,irving4 8,i thought that in case of foul a fellow had to be penalized40 8,oh1 no40 ,barclay was busy2 he had to think up something to say1 by way of a speech1 and he turned and began fussing again with the cups4 ,irving walked away4 ,even his friend ,barclay was not sympathetic1 did not understand the seriousness of what had happened4 ,he could not stay longer to be the target of hostile1 vengeful eyes2 he felt that half the boys there were blaming him in their hearts for the defeat of their team--and that the others had no gratitude to him for their victory4 ,not that it would have made him feel any better if they had2 he had only wanted and tried to be fair4 ,he walked away from the field1 crossed the track1 and passed round into the avenue that led up to the ,school4 ,when he had gone as far as the bend where from behind the cluster of trees the ,school buildings became visible1 he heard the pleasant ripple of laughter from the crowd4 ,some one1 probably ,barclay1 was making a speech2 to think of being able to stand before boys and make them laugh like that6 ,it seemed to ,irving that he had never before known what envy was4 ,he spent a mournful hour in his room2 then1 hearing footsteps on the stairs1 he closed his door4 ,the boys were returning from the field2 he felt sure there would be remarks about him by ,westby and ,morrill and other ,corinthians up and down the corridor1 and he preferred not to hear them4 ,to his surprise there was rather less disturbance than usual2 perhaps the boys were too tired after their exciting and active afternoon to indulge in noisy skylarking4 ,so ,irving did not have to emerge from his solitude until the supper bell rang4 ,even then he waited until all the boys had passed his door and were clattering down the stairs4 ,yet as he descended1 ,westby's indignant voice floated up to him1-- 8,just because ,i guyed him--he felt he had to get even40 ,at supper ,westby did not look at ,irving4 ,one of the boys1 ,blake1 made a comment2 he said1-- 8,that was a mighty good race you ran1 ,westby2 hard luck you were handicapped40 8,you can call it hard luck if you want10 said ,westby4 8,how did it happen1 anyway80 ,blake asked1 quite innocently4 8,oh1 don't ask me10 said ,westby4 ,three or four of the boys who did know glanced slyly at ,irving1 and ,irving1 though he had meant to say nothing1 spoke up2 there was electricity in the air4 8,westby was unfortunate enough to foul ,flack at the start2 that was all there was to it10 he said4 8,i saw it and set him back a yard4 ,i was under the impression that in case of foul a penalty had to be imposed--and ,i made the penalty as light as possible40 ,he felt that this statement ought to appease any reasonable boy4 ,but ,westby was not in a reasonable mood4 ,he paid no attention to ,irving2 he addressed the table4 8,i told ,scarborough he might have known things would be botched somehow40 8,why80 asked ,blake4 8,oh1 you've got to have officials who know their business40 ,there was an interval of silence at the table2 ,westby1 having fired his shot1 sat straight1 with cheeks flushed1 looking across at ,blake4 8,westby feels that he has had provocation and therefore may be rude40 ,irving spoke at last with calmness4 8,it's true that ,i never officiated before at any races4 ,at the same time1 ,i don't believe ,i did anything which some experienced officials would not have done4 ,there are probably a good many who believe in penalizing a runner for clumsy and stupid interference as well as for deliberate intent to foul40 ,he had spoken mildly2 he did not even emphasize the words 8clumsy and stupid40 ,but the retort went home2 the ,pythians at the table1--of whom ,blake was one1--chuckled2 and ,westby1 with a deeper shade of crimson on his face and a sudden compression of his lips1 lowered his eyes4 ,irving had triumphed1 but after the first moment he felt surprisingly little satisfaction in his triumph4 ,he could not help being sorry for ,westby2 the boy was after all right in feeling that he had been deprived of a victory to which he had been entitled4 ,and as ,irving looked at his downcast face1 he softened still further2 ,westby had so often delighted in humiliating him1 and he had longed for the opportunity of reprisal4 ,now it had come1 and ,westby was humiliated1 and the audience were not unsympathetic with ,irving for the achievement2 yet ,irving felt already the sting of remorse4 ,westby was only a boy1 and he was a master2 it was not well for a master to mortify a boy in the presence of other boys--a boy whose disappointment was already keen4 ,the letters were distributed2 there was one for ,irving from his brother4 ,it contained news that made the world a different place from what it had been an hour ago4 ,lawrence was playing left end on the ,harvard ,freshman football eleven2 not only that1 but in the first game of the season1 played against a ,boston preparatory school1 he had made the only touchdown4 ,he added that that didn't mean much1 for he had got the ball on a fluke2 still1 the tone of the letter was excited and elated4 ,and it excited and elated ,irving4 ,he folded the letter and put it in his pocket2 he sat for a moment looking out of the window with dreamy eyes and an unconscious smile4 ,lawrence was succeeding1 was going to succeed1 in a way far different from his own--if his own college course could be said in any sense to have terminated in success4 ,lawrence would have the athletic and the social experience which he had never had2 ,lawrence would be popular as he had never been2 ,lawrence would go brilliantly through college as he had never done4 ,everything now was in ,lawrence's reach1 and he was a boy who would not be spoiled or led astray by the achievement of temporary glories4 ,in the vision of his brother's triumphant career1 ,irving was transported from the troubles and perplexities1 from the self-reproaches and the doubts which had been making him unhappy4 ,he wanted now to share his happiness1 to take the boys into his confidence--but one can share one's happiness only with one's friends4 ,there was ,westby1 aggrieved and hostile2 there was ,carroll1 sitting next to him1 the queer1 quizzical1 silent youth1 with whom ,irving had been entirely unable to establish any relation of intimacy2 no1 there were no boys at his table with whom he was intimate enough to appeal for their interest and congratulations4 ,and feeling this1 he shrank from communicating the news1--though he felt sure that even ,westby1 who was going to ,harvard the next year1 might be interested in it2 he shrank from anything like boasting4 ,he found an outlet soon2 ,barclay came to see him that evening4 8,i looked for you this afternoon1 after the giving out of the prizes10 said ,barclay4 8,but ,i couldn't find you40 8,no1 ,i didn't wait for that4 ,did you make a speech8 ,i heard the boys laughing and cheering as ,i came away40 8,oh1 yes1 ,i got off a few stale jokes and some heavy-footed persiflage4 ,it went well enough4--,but ,i looked for you afterwards because ,i felt ,i may have seemed rather short when you came up2 the truth is1 ,i was racking my brain at that moment2 ,scarborough had just sprung the fact on me that ,i must make the speech40 8,oh1 it was all right10 said ,irving4 8,i'm sorry to have bothered you at such a time4 ,i was just a little agitated because ,westby was rather angry over being penalized in the hundred--0 8,so ,i hear4 ,well1 it was hard luck in a way--but after all you had a perfect right to penalize him2 he did foul1 and he ought to be sport enough to take the consequences40 8,i suppose it wouldn't have been--it wouldn't be possible to run the race over80 8,certainly not4 ,besides1 ,westby has no right to say that if he'd started even with ,flack1 he'd have beaten him4 ,it's true that he gained half a yard on ,flack in the race2 but it's also true that ,flack knew he had that much leeway4 ,there's no telling how much more ,flack might have done if he'd had to4 ,so if ,westby says anything to me1 ,i shall tell him just that40 8,i feel sorry about the thing anyway4 ,i'm sorry ,i made a mess of it--as usual40 8,oh1 cheer up2 it's not going to do you any harm with the fellows4 ,a little momentary flash from ,westby and ,morrill--0 8,no1 ,i wasn't thinking of myself40 8,you weren't60 ,the bluntness of ,barclay's exclamation of astonishment caused ,irving to blush1 and ,barclay himself1 realizing what he had betrayed to ,irving's perception1 looked embarrassed4 ,but ,irving laughed4 8,i don't wonder you're surprised4 ,i guess that's been the worst trouble with me here--thinking about myself4 ,and that was what was troubling me when ,i went to you this afternoon4 ,but it isn't any longer4 ,i feel bad about ,westby4 ,i can't help thinking ,i did rob him of his race--and then ,i sat on him at supper into the bargain40 ,barclay shouted with laughter4 8,you sat on ,westby--and you're sorry for it6 ,what's happened to you1 anyway8 ,tell me about it40 ,irving narrated the circumstances4 8,and ,i want to be friendly with him10 he concluded4 8,don't you think ,i might explain that it was a blunder on my part--and that ,i'm sorry ,i blundered80 8,i wouldn't10 said ,barclay4 8,he's beginning to respect you now4 ,don't do anything to make him think you're a little soft4 ,that's what he wants to think1 and he'd construe any such move on your part unfavorably40 8,well1 perhaps so40 ,irving sighed4 8,you're stiffening up quite a lot10 observed ,barclay4 8,i was very wobbly when ,westby and the other fellows went for me after that race10 confessed ,irving4 8,if ,i stiffened up1 ,i guess it was just the courage of desperation4 ,and ,i don't think that amounts to much4 ,but ,i've cheered up for good now40 8,how's that80 ,somewhat shyly ,irving communicated the proud news about his brother4 8,oh1 ,i read about him in to-day's ,boston newspaper10 exclaimed ,barclay4 8,what80 asked ,irving4 8,where was it8 ,i didn't see it40 8,you probably don't read all the football news1 as ,i do4 ,but you will after this40 ,barclay laughed4 8,yes1 there was quite an account of that game1 and ,upton was mentioned as being the bright particular star on the ,freshman team4 ,it never occurred to me that he was your brother40 8,naturally not4 ,i wish ,i could get away to see the game with the ,yale ,freshmen2 ,i've never seen ,lawrence play4 ,but ,i don't suppose ,i could manage that1 could ,i80 ,barclay looked doubtful4 8,the rector's pretty strict with the masters as well as with the boys4 ,especially when a man has charge of a dormitory4 ,i somehow think it wouldn't be wise to try it1--your first term40 8,i suppose not4 ,well1 ,i shall certainly read the football columns from now on40 8,i wonder10 remarked ,barclay1 8if we couldn't get the ,harvard ,freshmen up here to play a practice game with our ,school eleven--say1 the week before the ,st4 ,john's game8 ,it would be good practice for them as well as for us2 three or four years ago the ,freshmen played here40 8,oh1 ,i wish we could40 ,irving's face lighted up4 8,i'll write to my brother1 and perhaps he can arrange it with the captain and manager40 8,i'll talk it over with ,collingwood first10 said ,barclay4 8,and then we'll proceed officially2 and you can pull any additional wires that are possible through your brother40 ,he rose to go4 8,i shouldn't wonder10 he added1 8if that brother of yours turned out to be a useful asset for you here40 8,i should prefer to stand on my own legs10 said ,irving4 8,i shan't advertise it round that ,i have a football brother40 8,oh1 it won't be necessary for you to do that2 things have a way of leaking out40 ,barclay laughed as he took his departure4 ,as it happened1 the next day ,louis ,collingwood1 the captain of the ,school eleven1 went to ,barclay to consult him about the outlook for the season4 8,it seems to me we'll have a good ,school team10 said ,collingwood1 8but no second eleven capable of giving them hard practice--the kind they'll need to beat ,st4 ,john's4 ,if we could only arrange one or two games with outside teams1 to put us into shape--0 8,i was thinking of that10 said ,barclay4 8,i wonder if we mightn't get the ,harvard ,freshmen up here4 ,they have a good eleven1 apparently40 8,yes1 awfully good1 from all that the papers say4 ,don't you suppose their schedule is filled up80 8,it may be--but perhaps they could give us a date4 ,suppose you come over to my house this evening and we'll send a letter off to their captain4 ,and ,i'm sure0--,barclay threw the remark out in the most casual manner--8,mr4 ,upton will be glad to approach them for us through his brother40 8,his brother8 ,who's that80 8,why1 didn't you know8 ,his brother plays left end on the team--0 8,kiddy ,upton's brother on the ,harvard ,freshmen6 ,no60 8,whose brother80 8,mr4 ,upton's1 ,i meant to say40 ,louis grinned4 8,is he really1 ,mr4 ,barclay80 8,i'm rather surprised you didn't know it4 ,but ,i guess ,mr4 ,upton is the kind that doesn't talk much40 8,i should think he'd have let that out40 8,well1 he let it out to me4 ,i suspect--though he hasn't told me--that he's helping to put his brother through college4 ,and his success in doing that will naturally depend largely on his success or failure here as a master40 8,you mean--keeping his job80 ,barclay nodded4 8,yes4 ,oh1 ,i don't suppose there's any real doubt about that4 ,he's a perfectly competent teacher1 isn't he8 ,you know2 you have a class with him40 8,ye-es10 said ,louis1 slowly4 8,the trouble has been1 the fellows horse him a good deal--though not quite so much as they did40 8,they'll get over that when they know him better10 remarked ,barclay4 ,he knew that ,louis ,collingwood went away feeling much impressed1 and he was pretty sure he had done ,irving a good turn4 ,it was in the noon half-hour1 while ,collingwood was holding this interview with ,mr4 ,barclay1 that ,westby1 reading the ,harvard news in his ,boston paper1 went giggling into ,morrill's room4 8,there's a fellow named ,upton playing on the ,freshmen40 ,he showed ,morrill the name4 8,let's get a crowd and go in to ,kiddy2 ,i'll get him rattled40 8,how80 asked ,morrill4 8,oh1 ask him if this fellow's a relation of his1 and say ,i supposed of course he must be--such athletic prowess1 and all that sort of thing2 with a crowd standing there giggling you know how rattled he'll get40 8,all right10 said ,morrill1 who was an earnest admirer of ,westby's wit4 ,so they collected ,dennison and ,smythe and ,allison and ,carroll and ,scarborough1 and marched up the corridor--humorously tramping in step--to ,irving's door4 ,there ,westby1 newspaper in hand1 knocked4 ,irving opened the door4 8,mr4 ,upton1 sir10 began ,westby1 8sorry to disturb you1 sir40 ,the boys all began to grin1 and ,irving saw that he was in for some carefully planned attack4 8,i was just reading my morning paper1 sir1 and ,i wanted to ask you what relation to you the man named ,upton is that's playing on the ,harvard ,freshman eleven1 sir40 ,irving's eyes twinkled2 if ever the enemy had been delivered into his hands6 8,what makes you think he's a relation80 he asked1 with an assumption of cold dignity4 8,oh1 we all feel sure he must be1 sir4 ,of course your well-known and justly famous interest in all athletic sports1 sir--not to say your prowess in them1 sir--it's natural to suppose that any athlete named ,upton would belong to the same family with you1 sir40 ,the boys were all on the broad grin2 ,westby's manner was so expansively courteous1 his compliments were so absurdly urbane1 that ,irving threw off his air of coldness and adopted a jaunty manner of reply which was even more misleading4 8,oh1 well1 if you've been so clever as to guess it1 ,westby10 he said1 8,i don't mind telling you--it's my brother40 ,westby bestowed on his confederates--quite indifferent as to whether ,irving detected it or not--his slow1 facetious wink4 ,he returned then to his victim and in his most gamesome manner said1-- 8,i supposed of course it was your brother1 sir4 ,or at least ,i should have supposed so1 except that ,i didn't know you had a brother at ,harvard4 ,wasn't it rather--what shall ,i say8--peu aimable not to have taken us1 your friends1 into your confidence8 ,would you mind telling us1 sir1 what your brother's first name is80 8,my brother's first name8 ,lawrence40 8,hm60 said ,westby1 referring to his newspaper4 8,i find him set down here as #8,t4 ,upton4' ,but ,i suppose that is a misprint1 of course40 8,i suppose it must be10 agreed ,irving4 8,newspapers are always making mistakes1 aren't they80 said ,westby4 8,such careless fellows6 ,we'd like awfully to hear more about your brother ,lawrence1 ,mr4 ,upton40 ,the broad grin broke into a snicker4 8,why1 ,i don't know just what there is to tell10 ,irving said awkwardly4 8,what does he look like1 sir8 ,does he resemble you very much8--,i mean1 apart from the family fondness for athletics40 ,irving's lips twitched2 ,westby was enjoying so thoroughly his revenge6 ,and the other boys were all stifling their amusement4 8,we are said not to look very much alike10 he answered4 8,he is of a somewhat heavier build40 8,he must be somewhat lacking1 then1 in grace and agility1 sir10 said ,westby2 and the boys broke into a shout1 and ,irving gave way to a faint smile4 ,at that moment ,collingwood came up the stairs4 8,hello1 ,lou10 said ,westby1 with a welcoming wink4 8,we're just congratulating ,mr4 ,upton on his brother2 did you know that he has a brother playing on the ,harvard ,freshmen80 8,yes10 said ,collingwood4 8,i've just heard it from ,mr4 ,barclay40 ,the boys stared at ,collingwood1 then at ,irving1 whose eyes were twinkling again and whose smile had widened4 ,then they looked at ,westby2 he was gazing at ,collingwood unbelievingly1--stupefied4 8,what's the matter with you80 asked ,collingwood4 ,and then ,irving broke out into a delighted peal of laughter4 ,he could find nothing but slang in which to express himself1 and through his laughter he ejaculated1-- 8,stung1 my young friend6 ,stung60 ,they all gave a whoop2 they swung ,westby round and rushed him down the corridor to his room1 shouting and jeering4 ,when ,irving went down to lunch1 ,carroll1 the quizzical1 silent ,carroll1 welcomed him with a grin4 ,westby turned a bright pink and looked away4 ,at the next table ,allison and ,smythe and ,scarborough were all looking over at him and smiling2 and at the table beyond that ,collingwood and ,morrill and ,dennison were craning their necks and exhibiting their joy4 ,westby1 the humorist1 had suddenly become the butt1 a position which he had rarely occupied before4 ,he was quite subdued through that meal4 ,once in the middle of it1 ,irving looked at him and caught his eye1 and on a sudden impulse leaned back and laughed4 ,carroll joined in1 ,westby blushed once more1 the ,sixth ,formers at the next table looked over and began to laugh2 the other boys cast wondering glances4 8,what's the joke1 ,mr4 ,upton80 asked ,blake4 8,oh1 don't ask me10 said ,irving4 8,ask ,westby40 8,what is it1 ,wes80 said ,blake1 and could not understand why he received such a vicious kick under the table1 or why ,carroll said in such a jeering way1 8,yes1 ,wes1 what is the joke1 anyhow80 ,when the meal was over1 ,westby's friends lay in wait for him outside in the hall1 crowded round1 and began patting him on the back and offering him their jocular sympathy4 ,to have the joke turned on the professional humorist appeared to be extremely popular2 and the humorist did not take it very well4 8,oh1 get out1 get out60 he was saying1 wrenching himself from the grasp of first one and then another4 ,and ,irving came out just as he exclaimed in desperation1 8,just the same1 ,i'll bet it's all a fake2 ,i'll bet he hasn't got a brother60 ,he flung himself around1 trying to escape from ,collingwood's clutch1 and saw ,irving4 ,the smile faded from ,irving's face2 ,westby looked at him sullenly for a moment1 then broke away and made a rush up the stairs4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,the ,,harvard ,,freshman ,for two or three days the intercourse between ,irving and ,westby was of the most formal sort4 ,at table they held no communication with each other2 in the class-room ,irving gave ,westby every chance to recite and conscientiously helped him through the recitation as much as he did any one else2 in the dormitory they exchanged a cold good-night4 ,irving did not press ,westby for a retraction of the charge which he had overheard the boy make2 it seemed to him unworthy to dignify it by taking such notice of it4 ,he knew that none of the boys really believed it and that ,westby himself did not believe it1 but had been goaded into the declaration in the desperate effort to maintain a false position4 ,irving wondered if the boy would not have the fairness to make some acknowledgment of the injustice into which his pride had provoked him4 ,and one day at luncheon1 ,westby turned to ,irving and with an embarrassed smile said1 8,mr4 ,upton1 do you get any news from your brother about the ,harvard ,freshman eleven80 ,carroll directed at ,westby the quizzical look under which ,irving had so often suffered4 ,but ,westby did not flinch2 he waited for ,irving's answer1 with his embarrassed1 appealing smile4 8,i had a letter from him this morning10 said ,irving4 8,he writes that there is a chance of their coming up here to play the ,school eleven2 ,i had asked him if that couldn't be arranged40 8,oh1 really60 exclaimed ,westby1 in a tone of honest interest4 8,when1 ,mr4 ,upton80 8,does he think they'll come80 8,does ,lou ,collingwood know about it80 8,i guess he knows as much as ,i do40 ,irving tried to answer the flood of questions4 8,he wrote officially to the captain at the same time that ,i wrote to ,lawrence4 ,if they come at all1 it will be about a week before the ,st4 ,john's game40 8,when shall we know for sure80 asked ,westby4 8,it appears to be a question whether the ,freshmen will choose to play us or ,lakeview ,school4 ,they want to play whichever team seems the stronger1 and they're going to discuss the prospects and decide in a few days40 8,i'm sure we're better than ,lakeview10 declared ,blake4 8,you'll tell your brother we are1 won't you1 ,mr4 ,upton80 8,i'll tell him that ,i understand we have a very superior team10 said ,irving4 8,i fancy he knows that it's as much as ,i can do to tell the difference between a quarterback and a goal post40 8,you will admit1 then1 that there was some reason for my not believing you had a football brother1 won't you1 ,mr4 ,upton80 ,westby tried thus to beat a not wholly inglorious retreat4 8,every reason--until it became a matter of doubting my word10 said ,irving4 ,westby crimsoned1 and ,irving felt that again he had been too severe with him2 the boy had been trying to convey an apology1 without actually making one2 it might have been well to let him off4 ,but ,irving reflected that the account was still far from even and that perhaps this unwonted adversity might be good for ,westby4 ,irving did not realize quite how much teasing had been visited upon ,westby in consequence of his disastrous error1 or how humiliated the boy had been in his heart4 ,for ,westby was proud and vain and sensitive1 accustomed to leadership1 unused to ridicule2 for two days now the shafts of those whom he had been in the habit of chaffing with impunity had been rankling4 ,because of this sensitive condition1 the final rebuke at the luncheon table1 before all the boys1 cut him more deeply than ,irving suspected4 ,afterwards ,westby said to ,carroll1-- 8,oh1 very well4 ,if he couldn't accept my acknowledgment of my mistake1 but had to jump on me again--well1 it's just spite on his part2 that's all4 ,i don't care2 ,i can let him alone after this4 ,that seems to be what he wants40 8,a month ago he wouldn't have asked more than that of you10 observed ,carroll4 8,and you didn't feel like obliging him then40 ,the implication that ,irving had worsted him galled ,westby4 8,oh10 he retorted1 8the best of jokes will wear out4 ,kiddy was a perfectly good joke for a while--0 ,carroll annoyed him by laughing4 ,for one who had hitherto been indifferent to all forms of athletics1 ,irving developed a surprising interest in the game of football4 ,every afternoon he went to the field and watched the practice of the ,pythian and ,corinthian elevens4 ,he had once thought the forward pass a detail incapable of engaging one's serious attention1 and worthy of rebuke if attempted in dormitory2 but after ,lawrence wrote that in executing it he was acquiring some proficiency1 ,irving studied it with a more curious eye4 ,he wondered if ,lawrence was as skillful at it as ,collingwood1 for instance2 ,collingwood had now learned to shoot the ball with accuracy twenty or twenty-five yards4 ,occasionally ,irving got hold of a football and tested his own capacity in throwing it2 his attempts convinced him that in this matter he had a great deal to learn4 ,looking back1 he could comprehend ,louis ,collingwood's indignation and amazement at a master who would coldly turn away when a boy was trying to illustrate for him the forward pass4 ,one afternoon from watching the football practice ,irving moved aside for a little while to see the finish of the autumn clay-pigeon shoot of the ,gun ,club4 ,there were only six contestants1 and there were not many spectators2 most of the boys preferred to stay on the football field1 where there was more action2 the second ,pythians and second ,corinthians were playing a match4 ,but ,irving had heard ,westby talking at luncheon about the shoot and strolled over more from curiosity to see how he would acquit himself than for any other reason4 ,the trap was set in the long grass on the edge of the meadow near the woods2 ,allison was performing the unexciting task of pulling the string and releasing the skimming disks4 ,when ,irving came up1 ,smythe was finishing2 he did not appear to be much of a shot1 for he missed three out of the seven 8birds0 which ,irving saw him try for4 ,then it was ,westby's turn4 ,westby had got himself up for the occasion1 in a ,norfolk jacket and knickerbockers and leggings2 he was always scrupulous about appearing in costumes that were extravagantly correct4 ,he saw ,irving and somewhat ostentatiously turned away4 ,irving waited and looked on4 ,westby stood in an almost negligent attitude1 with his gun lowered2 the trap was sprung1 the clay pigeon flew--and then was shattered in the midst of its flight4 ,it seemed to ,irving that ,westby hardly brought his gun to his shoulder to take aim4 ,it could not all be luck either2 that was evident when ,westby demolished ten clay pigeons in rapid succession4 ,it was ,carroll's turn now2 ,westby1 having made his perfect score1 blew the smoke from the breech and stood by4 ,irving went up to him4 8,i congratulate you on your shooting1 ,westby10 he said4 8,it seems quite wonderful to a man who never fired a gun off but a few times in his life--and then it was a revolver1 with blank cartridges40 ,westby looked at him coolly4 8,it's funny you've never done anything that most fellows do10 he observed4 8,were you always afraid of hurting yourself80 8,i was offering my congratulations1 ,westby10 said ,irving stiffly1 and walked away4 8,why did you go at him like that80 asked ,carroll1 who had heard the interchange4 8,oh10 said ,westby1 8,i wasn't going to have him hanging round swiping to me1 soft-soaping me40 8,i think he was only trying to be decent10 said ,carroll4 8,i like a man who is decent without trying10 ,westby retorted4 ,yet whether his nerves were a little upset by the episode or his eye thrown off by the wait1 ,westby did not do so well in the next round4 ,the trap was set to send the birds skimming lower and faster2 ,westby missed two out of ten1 and was tied for first place with ,carroll4 ,and in the final shoot to break the tie1 ,westby lost4 ,he shook hands with ,carroll1 but with no excess of good humor4 ,he knew he was really the better shot1 and even though ,carroll was his closest friend1 the defeat rankled4 ,at supper ,blake congratulated ,carroll across the table4 8,you won1 did you1 ,carroll80 asked ,irving4 8,yes1 sir--by a close shave40 8,i'm sorry ,i didn't stay to see it40 ,the remark was innocent in intention1 but to ,westby it seemed edged with malice--as if the master was exulting over his defeat4 ,something in ,westby's expression told ,irving what the boy had inferred2 ,irving went afterwards to his room in a despondent mood4 ,it didn't matter how hard he tried or what he did2 he had not the faculty of winning and holding affection and respect4 ,as it was with boys1 so it would be with men4 ,if only he could see how and why he failed1 and could learn to correct his mistakes6 ,he felt of more importance in the ,school world when a letter from ,lawrence was the first announcement that the ,freshman eleven would come to play ,st4 ,timothy's4 ,he asked ,collingwood if he had had any word1 and when ,collingwood said no1 he told him his brother's message4 8,i don't believe there can be any mistake10 said ,irving4 8,he writes that it was decided only the night before4 ,you'll probably receive the official communication in a day or two40 ,collingwood was tremendously elated4 8,i knew we were better than ,lakeview--but ,i was afraid they wouldn't realize it10 he said4 8,now we'll have to get ready and beat them4 ,anyway1 if we can't do that1 it will be the best kind of preparation for the ,st4 ,john's game40 ,the official communication arrived2 ,collingwood rushed with it to the bulletin board in the ,study building and posted it for all eyes to see4 ,the same day he posted the ,school eleven1 as it would line up in that game4 ,westby was to be first substitute for ,dennison at right half back4 ,westby had been playing a streaky game on the ,first ,corinthians2 on some days he was as brilliant a runner and tackler as there was in the ,school1 and on other days he would lose interest and miss everything4 ,if he was disappointed at the preference given to ,dennison1 he did not show it2 in fact1 that he appeared on the list as substitute seemed to fill him with elation4 ,he had never taken football quite so seriously as some of the others--as ,collingwood and ,dennison1 for example2 and therefore only a moderate success in it was for him a matter of gratification4 ,the training table was organized at once1 but ,westby was not admitted to it4 ,there was not room for the substitutes2 they were expected to do their own training4 ,westby was notoriously lax in that matter and had to be nagged constantly by ,collingwood1 whom he found some pleasure in teasing4 ,he would secure some forbidden article of food and ostentatiously appear to be eating it with the greatest enjoyment until he caught ,collingwood's eye2 a large circular doughnut or a chocolate clair delicately poised between his thumb and finger were his favorite instruments for torturing his captain's peace of mind4 ,he would contrive to be seen just as he was on the point of taking the first bite2 then he would reluctantly lay the tidbit down4 8,it's a hard life1 this being a near athlete10 he grumbled4 8,sitting at a table with a lot of uncongenial pups like you fellows4--,mr4 ,upton1 ,blake's kicking me2 make him quit1 sir4--,not allowed to eat half the things the rest of you do1 and not allowed either to get any of the training-table grub4 ,well1 ,i never did think of self1 so ,i can endure it better than most40 ,the others jeered4 ,but ,westby1 however he might complain1 was faithful at practice and accepted good-naturedly his position upon the second eleven1 and the hard battering to which every one on the second eleven was subjected4 ,the day when he got round ,morrill1 the first eleven's left end1 and scored a touchdown--the only one which in that week of practice the second eleven scored--brought him so much applause that he began really to think there might be a chance of his ousting ,dennison from the regular position4 ,when that notion entered his head he ceased to be facetious about the training2 he became suddenly as serious as ,collingwood himself4 ,but in spite of that1 he remained ,dennison's substitute4 ,the ,saturday set for the game with the ,harvard ,freshmen was an ,indian ,summer day4 ,in the early morning mist wreathed the low meadows and the edges of the pond2 it seemed later to dissipate itself through all the windless air in haze4 ,the distant hills were blue and faint1 the elms in the soft sunlight that filtered down had a more golden glow4 8,great day10 was the salutation that one heard everywhere2 8great day for the game40 ,now and then in his morning classes ,irving's thoughts would wander1 there would be a gentle rush of excitement in his veins4 ,he would turn his mind firmly back to his work2 he did not do any less well that day because his heart was singing happily4 ,in three hours more--in two--in one--he was going to see ,lawrence again2 he wondered if he would find his brother much changed4 ,only two months had passed since they had parted2 yet in that time how remote ,lawrence had grown in ,irving's eyes from the ,lawrence of the ,ohio farm6 ,the bell announcing the noon recess rang2 ,irving dismissed his last class4 ,he hurried down the stairs almost as madly as the ,fourth ,formers themselves2 the train on which the ,harvard ,freshmen were coming was due ten minutes before2 already ,lawrence and the others must have started on the two-mile drive out to the ,school4 ,in front of the ,study building most of the older boys and many of the younger were congregated1 awaiting the arrival of the visitors4 ,irving walked about among the groups impatiently1 now and then looking at his watch4 ,he passed ,westby and ,collingwood1 who were standing together by the gate4 8,pretty nearly time for them1 ,mr4 ,upton10 said ,westby4 8,feeling nervous1 sir80 ,there was more good nature in his smile than he had displayed towards ,irving since the day of the track games4 8,a little10 ,irving admitted1 and at that moment some one shouted1 8,here they come60 ,over the crest of the hill galloped four horses1 drawing a long red barge crowded with boys4 ,collingwood climbed up on the gate-post4 8,now1 fellows10 he said1 8when they get here1 give three times three for the ,freshmen40 ,the boys waited in silence4 ,irving strained his eyes1 trying to distinguish the figures huddled together in the barge4 ,the horses came down at a run1 with a rattle of hoofs and harness2 the driver flourished his whip over them spectacularly4 8,now then1 fellows60 cried ,collingwood4 8,three times three for the ,freshmen60 ,and amidst the waving of caps as the cheers were given1 ,irving could see no one in the barge4 ,then when that cheer had subsided1 one of the visitors stood up and took off his hat and shouted1-- 8,three times three for ,st4 ,timothy's6 ,one--two--three60 ,the fellows in the barge sent up a vigorous1 snappy cheer1 and then overflowed at back and sides4 ,in the confusion and the crowd1 ,irving was still straining his short-sighted eyes in a vain attempt to discover ,lawrence4 ,suddenly he heard a shout1--8,hello1 ,irv60--and there1 a little way off1 was ,lawrence1 laughing at him and struggling towards him through the throng4 ,the boys understood and drew apart and let the two brothers meet4 8,it's great to see you again1 ,irv10 said ,lawrence1 when he could reach and grasp his brother's hand2 he looked at ,irving with the same old loving humor in his eyes4 8,it's great to see you again1 ,lawrence10 said ,irving4 ,he could not help being a little conscious and constrained1 with so many eyes upon him4 ,he tucked one hand in his brother's arm and with the other reached for ,lawrence's bag4 ,lawrence laughed1 and with hardly an effort detached it from ,irving's grasp4 8,you carry that1 you little fellow6 ,i guess not10 he said4 ,some of the boys heard and smiled1 and ,lawrence threw back at them a humorous smile2 ,irving blushed4 ,he led ,lawrence away1 towards the ,upper ,school4 ,the other ,freshmen were being conducted in the same direction by ,collingwood and his team4 8,well10 said ,westby to ,carroll in an outpouring of slang from the heart1 8,kiddy's brother is certainly a peach of a good looker4 ,i hope he'll bring him to lunch40 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,westby ,,in ,,the ,,game ,it was with satisfaction that ,westby and ,carroll saw ,lawrence entering the dining-room with ,irving4 ,they had observed the long table spread in the common room of the ,upper ,school1 where the visiting team were to be entertained at luncheon1 and had supposed therefore that they would have no chance of satisfying their curiosity about the master's brother4 ,when ,irving introduced ,lawrence to them1 ,westby said1-- 8,we hoped we were going to see you here1 but we were afraid you might have to eat outside with your team40 8,oh1 ,i got special permission from the captain for this occasion10 said ,lawrence4 8,i'm afraid ,i'm depriving somebody of his seat10 he added to ,irving4 8,it's ,caldwell--,i arranged with him about it4 ,he's gone to ,mr4 ,randolph's table40 8,besides1 he's only a ,fourth ,former10 said ,westby4 ,lawrence laughed4 8,you're ,sixth1 ,i suppose80 ,westby nodded4 8,going to ,harvard next year80 8,yes40 8,good for you4 ,i'll tell you one thing2 you couldn't have a better man to get you in than this brother of mine--if ,i do say it4 ,he tutored me for ,harvard--and ,i guess you've never had a worse blockhead1 have you1 ,irv80 8,oh1 you were all right in some things1 ,lawrence40 8,i'd like to know what4 ,how ,i used to try your patience1 though60 ,lawrence chuckled1 then turned and addressed the boys1 especially ,westby and ,carroll1 as they were the oldest4 8,did any of you ever see him mad80 8,oh1 surely never that10 said ,westby urbanely4 8,irritated perhaps1 but not mad--never lacking in self-control40 ,westby1 thinking himself safe1 ventured upon his humorous wink to ,blake and the others who were grinning2 ,lawrence intercepted it and at once fixed ,westby with a penetrating gaze4 ,westby colored and looked down2 ,lawrence held his eyes on him until ,westby looked up and then1 in even greater embarrassment under this prolonged scrutiny1 down again4 ,then ,lawrence turned to his brother4 8,tell me1 ,irv10 he said in a tone that simply brushed aside as non-existent everybody else at the table--just as if he and his brother were talking together alone1 8what sort of kids do you have to look after in your dormitory1 anyhow80 ,irving's lip twitched with amusement2 ,westby1 still scarlet1 was looking at his plate4 8,oh1 a pretty good sort--but they're ,sixth ,formers1 you know--not kids40 8,pretty fresh1 are they--trying to show off a good deal and be funny80 8,oh1 one or two only2 still1 even they aren't bad40 ,lawrence paid no further attention to ,westby4 ,now and then he spoke to ,carroll and to ,blake1 but most of his conversation--and it dealt with the sort of college life about which boys liked to hear1 and about which ,irving had never been able to enlighten them--he addressed directly to his brother4 ,westby listened to it gloomily2 there were many questions that he wanted to ask1 but now he did not dare4 ,evidently ,mr4 ,upton had warned his brother against him1 had imparted to his brother his own dislike2 that was why ,lawrence had nipped so brutally his harmless1 humorous allusion to the master's temper4 ,as a matter of fact1 ,lawrence had had no previous knowledge whatever of ,westby2 ,irving had always withstood his impulse to confide his troubles4 ,he made now an effort to draw ,westby forward and reinstate him in the conversation2 he said1-- 8,lawrence1 you and ,westby here may come against each other this afternoon2 ,westby's first substitute for one of the half-backs on the ,school eleven40 ,lawrence said1 8,that's good10 and gave ,westby hardly a glance4 ,after luncheon1 walking down to the athletic field with ,westby1 ,carroll said jeeringly1-- 8,well1 ,kiddy ,upton's brother is no myth1 is he1 ,wes80 ,at that ,westby began to splutter4 8,conceited chump6 ,he makes me tired4 ,of all the fresh things--to sit up there and talk about the #8kids' in ,kiddy's dormitory60 ,carroll laughed in his silent1 irritating way4 8,he certainly put you down and out--a good hard one4 ,why1 even ,kiddy was sorry for you40 ,westby went on fuming4 8,sorry for me6 ,i guess ,kiddy had been whining to him about how ,i'd worried him4 ,that's why the chump had it in for me40 8,chump1 ,wes6 ,such a peach of a good looker80 8,oh1 shut up4 ,i don't care if he is good looking2 he's fresher than paint40 8,he would think that was a queer criticism for you to make40 ,westby stalked on in angry silence4 ,he was more wounded than he could let ,carroll know4 ,there was a side to him which he shrank from displaying1--the gentle1 affectionate side of which ,irving had had a glimpse when the boy was anxiously watching his young cousin ,price in the mile run2 and to this quality ,lawrence's greeting of his brother had unconsciously appealed4 ,westby had stood by and heard his words1 8,you carry that1 you little fellow60 had seen the humor in his eyes and the gentleness on his lips1 and had felt something in his own throat4 ,for all his affectation of worldliness and cynicism1 the boy was a hero-worshiper at heart1 and could never resist being attracted by a fine face and a handsome pair of eyes and a pleasant voice2 ,lawrence had in the first glance awakened an enthusiasm which was eager for near acquaintance4 ,and now1 although he talked so venomously against him1 it was not ,lawrence whom he reproached in his heart2 it was himself4 ,why had he been unable to resist the impulse to be smart1 to be funny1 to be cheap8 ,he might have known that a fellow like ,lawrence would see through his remark and would resent it2 he might have known that his silly1 clownish wink could not escape ,lawrence's keen eyes4 ,so ,westby walked on1 gloomily reproaching himself1 unconscious that at that very moment1 walking a hundred yards behind1 ,irving was defending him4 8,a month ago1 ,lawrence1 ,i'd have been glad to have you light on ,westby as you did10 he said4 8,but now ,i'm rather sorry40 8,why so80 8,oh1 he's had some hard luck lately1 and--well1 ,i don't know4 ,those encounters with a boy don't seem to me worth while40 8,you've got to suppress them when they're fresh like that10 insisted ,lawrence4 8,for a fellow to talk to you in that fresh way before a guest--and that guest your brother--,i don't stand for it2 that's all40 8,no1 ,i don't either4 ,well1 it doesn't matter much2 reproof slides off ,westby like water off a duck's back40 ,they talked of other things then until ,lawrence had to join his team and enter the athletic house with them to dress4 ,out on the field ,irving mingled with the crowd1 walked to and fro nervously1 stopped to say only a word now to a boy1 now to a master1 and then passed on4 ,it was foolish for him to be so excited1 so tremulous1 he told himself4 ,lawrence had parted from him with the same calmness with which he might have gone to prepare for bed4 ,it was all the more foolish to be so excited1 because the accessories to promote a preliminary excitement were lacking1--rivalry1 partisanship2 the visiting team had no supporters4 ,the ,school had turned out to see the game1 but there was no cheering1 no thrill of expectation2 the boys stood about and waited quietly1 as they would before ordinary practice4 ,it would be different in another week1 when the ,st4 ,john's team were sharing the athletic house with ,st4 ,timothy's1 and the adherents of the two schools were ranged opposite each other1 waving flags and hurling back and forth challenging cheers--cheers meant to inspirit the players while they dressed4 ,but now ,irving was aware that he in all the crowd was the only one whose nerves and muscles were quivering1 whose voice might not be quite natural or quite under his control1 whose heart was beating hard4 ,if ,lawrence should not play well this time--the first time he had ever seen him play6 ,or if anything should happen to him6 ,irving tramped back and forth1 digging cold hands into his pockets4 ,the ,harvard team was the first to leave the athletic house2 they broke through the line of spectators near where ,irving stood and trotted out on the field4 ,as they passed1 he caught his brother's eye and waved to him4 ,in the preliminary practice ,irving watched him eagerly2 with his light curly hair he was conspicuous1 and as he was on the end of the line his movements were easy to follow4 ,it seemed to ,irving that he was the quickest and the readiest and the handsomest of them all4 ,out came ,st4 ,timothy's1 and then there was a cheer4 ,the two teams went rollicking and tumbling up and down the field for a few moments2 then ,collingwood and the ,harvard captain met in the centre1 ,mr4 ,barclay tossed a coin1 and the players went to their positions4 ,mr4 ,barclay blew a whistle2 the game began4 ,from that time on ,irving trotted up and down the side lines1 his heart twittering with pride and anxiety4 ,after every scrimmage1 after every tackle1 he looked apprehensively for a curly light head2 he was always glad when he saw it bob up safely out of a pile4 ,through all the press and conflict1 he watched for it1 followed it--just as1 he thought in one whimsical moment1 the ,french troopers of ,macaulay's poem watched for the white plume of ,navarre4 ,if he had known even less about the game than he did1 he must still have seen that for ,harvard his brother and ,ballard1 the fullback1 were playing especially well4 ,ballard1 with his hard plunges through the centre and his long punts1 was the chief factor in ,harvard's offensive game2 ,lawrence was their ablest player on the defense4 ,after the first ten minutes ,st4 ,timothy's made hardly an attempt to go round his end1 but devoted their assaults to the centre and other wing of the line4 ,if there was one thing for which ,collingwood1 the best football player in the ,school1 had achieved a special reputation1 it was the fleetness and dexterity with which he could run the ball back after punts4 ,he was known as the best man in the back field that ,st4 ,timothy's had had in years4 ,so when ,ballard prepared for his first kick1 the spectators looked on with composure4 ,it was a fine kick2 the ball went spiraling high and far1 but ,collingwood was under it as it fell1 and ,dennison was in front of him to protect him4 ,yet ,lawrence1 rushing down upon them1 was too quick1 too clever2 ,dennison's attempt to block him off was only a glancing one that staggered him for the fraction of an instant2 and the ball had no sooner struck in ,collingwood's arms than ,lawrence launched himself and hurled the runner backwards4 8,whew6 ,what a fierce tackle60 ejaculated a boy near ,irving admiringly4 8,i think ,lou did well to hang on the ball10 responded his friend4 ,irving heard2 he went about greedily drinking in comments which that tackle had evoked4 ,he found himself standing behind ,westby and the other substitutes1 who1 wrapped in blankets1 trailed up and down the field keeping pace with the progress of their team4 8,no60 ,briggs1 one of the substitutes1 was saying4 8,was that ,kiddy ,upton's brother8 ,he's a whirlwind1 isn't he80 8,looked to me as if he was trying to lay ,lou ,collingwood out10 returned ,westby sourly4 ,at once ,irving's cheeks flamed hot4 ,he put out his hand and touched ,westby's shoulder2 the boy turned1 and then the blood rushed into his cheeks too4 8,was there anything wrong about that tackle1 ,westby80 ,irving asked4 8,it just seemed to me he threw him pretty hard40 ,irving spoke to the three or four other substitutes standing by4 8,i don't know much about football2 was there anything wrong with that tackle--that it should be criticised80 8,it looked all right to me10 said ,briggs4 8,if there is any question about it1 ,i shall want to talk to my brother--0 8,oh1 it was all right10 ,windom spoke up4 8,it was a good1 clean1 hard tackle--the right kind4 ,wes is always down on the enemy1 aren't you1 ,wes80 ,westby stood in sullen silence4 ,the next play was started2 ,st4 ,timothy's gained five yards1 and in the movement of the crowd ,irving and ,westby were separated4 ,for a few moments ,irving's thoughts were diverted from his brother1 and his joyous excitement was overshadowed by regret4 ,he felt less indignant with ,westby than sorry for him2 he knew that the boy had repented of his hasty and intemperate words4 ,if he would only come up and acknowledge it--so that he might be forgiven6 ,then ,irving put ,westby out of his mind4 ,st4 ,timothy's had kicked2 ,ballard had recovered the ball for ,harvard on ,st4 ,timothy's forty-yard line1 and then ,warren1 the quarterback1 had made a long pass straight into ,lawrence's hands2 ,lawrence started to run2 then1 just as ,chase and ,baldersnaith were bearing down for the tackle1 he stopped and hurled the ball forward and across to ,newell1 the other ,harvard end4 ,it sailed clear over the heads of the intervening players2 ,newell had been signaled to1 had got down the field and was ready for it2 three ,st4 ,timothy's players ran to get under the ball1 but instead of blocking ,newell off and merely trying to spoil his catch1 they all tried to make the catch themselves2 they all leaped for it4 ,newell was the quickest2 he grabbed the ball out of the air and went down instantly1 with the three others on him--but he was on ,st4 ,timothy's ten-yard line4 ,it was a brilliant pass and a brilliant catch2 ,st4 ,timothy's stood looking on disconsolate1 while the ,harvard players gathered exultantly for the line-up4 ,three rushes through tackle and centre and one run round ,lawrence's end carried the ball across ,st4 ,timothy's line for a touchdown4 ,ballard kicked the goal4 ,there was no more scoring that half4 ,in the second half ,st4 ,timothy's kicked off2 ,harvard got the ball and set about rushing it back up the field4 ,they had gained ten yards and had carried the ball forty yards from their own goal1 when they lost possession of it on a fumble4 ,the spectators cheered1 and began shouting1-- 8,touchdown1 ,st4 ,timothy's1 touchdown60 ,there was more shouting when1 with ,collingwood interfering for him1 ,dennison broke through the ,harvard left tackle and made fifteen yards4 ,then ,collingwood made a quarter-back kick which ,morrill captured on the ,harvard five-yard line4 ,the ,st4 ,timothy's cheering broke out afresh1 ,scarborough leading it4 ,irving joined in the cheer2 he was glad to see ,collingwood and the others making gains--provided they did not make them round ,lawrence's end4 ,on the five-yard line the ,harvard defense stiffened4 ,on the third down the ball was two yards from the goal line4 8,everybody get into this next play--everybody60 cried ,collingwood appealingly2 he went about slapping his men on the back4 8,now then--twelve1 thirty-seven1 eighteen40 ,there was a surge forward1 a quivering1 toppling mass that finally fell indecisively4 ,no one knew whether the ball had been pushed across or not4 ,no one wanted to get up for fear it might be pushed one way or the other in the shifting4 ,barclay and ,randolph1 who was umpire1 began summarily dragging the players from the pile1 hauling at an arm or a leg2 at last ,dennison was revealed at the bottom hugging the ball--and it was just across the line4 ,then all the ,st4 ,timothy's players capered about for joy1 and the spectators shouted as triumphantly as if it had been the ,st4 ,john's game2 the ,harvard team ranged themselves quietly under the goal4 ,dennison kicked the goal1 and the score was tied4 ,for the next ten minutes neither team succeeded in making much progress4 ,st4 ,timothy's were playing more aggressively than in the first half2 twice ,kenyon1 the ,harvard halfback1 started to skirt round ,lawrence's end1 but both times ,baldersnaith1 the ,st4 ,timothy's tackle1 broke through and dragged him down4 ,baldersnaith1 ,dennison1 ,morrill1 and ,collingwood were especially distinguishing themselves for the ,school4 ,at last1 after one of the scrimmages1 ,dennison got up1 hobbled a moment1 and then sat down again4 ,collingwood hurried over to him anxiously4 8,wrenched my ankle10 said ,dennison4 8,i guess ,i'll be all right in a moment40 ,waring1 the ,fifth ,former1 who acted as water-carrier1 ran out on the field with his pail and sponge4 ,mr4 ,barclay examined the ankle1 then turned to ,collingwood4 8,i think he could go on playing10 he said4 8,but if ,i were you ,i'd take him out now and save him for the ,st4 ,john's game4 ,you don't want to risk his being laid up for that40 ,dennison protested1 but ,collingwood agreed with ,mr4 ,barclay4 ,he turned and called1 8,westby02 and as ,westby ran out1 ,dennison picked himself up and limped to the side-line4 ,it was ,harvard's ball in the middle of the field4 ,though it was only the first down1 ,ballard dropped back to kick4 8,now then1 ,wes1 hang on to it10 ,collingwood cried as he and ,westby turned and ran to their places in the back field4 ,westby had a faint hope that the kick might go to ,collingwood2 he didn't feel quite ready yet to catch the ball2 he wanted to be given a chance to steady down first4 ,but he knew that was exactly what the ,harvard quarterback intended to prevent4 ,the ball came sailing1 high and twisting2 he had to run back to get under it4 ,then he planted himself1 but the ball as it came down was slanted off by the wind1 so that he had at the last to make a sudden dash for it2 it struck and stuck1 hugged to his breast1 and then over he went with a terrific shock1 which jarred the ball from his grasp4 ,irving had seen the play with mingled joy and sorrow4 ,it was his brother who had made the tackle2 it was ,newell1 the other ,harvard end1 who had dropped on the fumbled ball4 ,westby and ,lawrence got to their feet together2 ,lawrence's eyes were dancing with triumphant expectation2 the ball was ,harvard's now on ,st4 ,timothy's twenty-yard line4 ,and ,westby went dully to his position1 aware of the accusing silence of the crowd4 8,all right1 ,wes2 we'll stop them10 ,collingwood said to him cheerfully4 ,westby did his best and flung himself desperately into the thick of every scrimmage4 ,the whole team did its best1 but ,harvard would not be denied4 ,by short rushes they fought their way down1 down1 and at last across the goal line--and the game was won4 ,there were only three minutes left to play1 and in that time neither side scored4 ,when ,mr4 ,barclay blew his whistle1 the ,harvard team assembled and cheered ,st4 ,timothy's1 and then ,st4 ,timothy's assembled and cheered ,harvard4 ,after that the players walked to the athletic house1 beset on the way by the curious or by friends4 ,westby was the victim of condolences1 well meant but ill-timed2 he responded curtly when ,blake1 pushing near1 said to him1 8,it was awfully hard luck1 ,wes--but after that you played a mighty good game40 ,he wished nothing but to be let alone1 he wished no sympathy4 ,he knew that he had lost the game2 that was enough for him4 ,in the dressing-room he sat on a bench next to ,lawrence ,upton and began putting on his clothes in silence4 ,the other boys were talking all round him1 commenting cheerfully on the plays and on the future prospects of the teams4 ,lawrence refrained from discussing the game at all2 he asked ,westby what ,st4 ,timothy's boys he knew at ,harvard1 and where he expected to room when he went there2 he tried to be friendly4 ,but ,westby repelled his efforts1 answering in a sullen voice4 ,at last ,lawrence finished dressing2 he picked up his bag and turned to ,westby4 8,look here10 he said1 and there was a twinkle in his eyes4 8,i'm going to be at ,harvard the next three years2 we're likely to meet4 ,must a little hard luck make hard feeling80 8,oh1 there's no hard feeling10 ,westby assured him4 8,glad to hear it4 ,good-by40 ,lawrence held out his hand4 8,you're not going to stay for supper80 8,no4 ,i'm going back with the team on the six o'clock train--hour exam on ,monday4 ,my brother's waiting for me outside2 ,i want to see him for a while before we start4 ,i hope to come up here some time again--hope ,i'll see you40 8,thanks4 ,i hope so4 ,good-by40 ,the words were all right1 but ,westby spoke them mechanically4 ,it had flashed upon him that ,lawrence would now learn from his brother the charge that he had so unjustly and hotly made4 ,and of a sudden he wished he could prevent that4 ,he would have been glad to go to ,irving and retract it all and apologize2 anything to keep ,lawrence from hearing of it4 ,why had he been so slow in dressing--why hadn't he hurried on his clothes and gone out ahead of ,lawrence and made it all right with ,irving6 ,with a wild thought that it might not yet be too late1 he flung on his coat and rushed from the building--only to see ,irving and ,lawrence walking together across the football field4 ,,chapter ,x ,,master ,,and ,,boy ,for several days ,westby's unnatural quiet was attributed to his sensitiveness over the error which had given the ,harvard ,freshmen their victory4 ,it was most noticeable at ,irving's table2 there his bubbling spirits seemed permanently to have subsided2 he wrapped himself in silence and gloom4 ,his manner towards ,irving was that of haughty displeasure4 ,carroll was at a loss to understand it and questioned him about it one day4 8,oh1 ,i'm just tired of him--tired of hearing his everlasting brag about his brother10 ,westby said sharply4 8,he bragged so little about him once you wouldn't believe he had a brother10 replied ,carroll4 8,i don't see that he brags much more about him now40 8,well1 ,i see it1 and it annoys me10 retorted ,westby rudely4 8,i think ,i'll see if ,i can have my seat changed4 ,i'd rather sit at ,scabby's table40 ,mr4 ,randolph1 however1 the head of the ,upper ,school1 refused to grant ,westby's petition4 8,you don't give any special reason10 he said4 8,you have friends at ,mr4 ,upton's table2 you ought to be contented to stay there4 ,what's the matter8 ,are you having friction with some one80 8,i should be better satisfied if ,i were at ,scarborough's table10 said ,westby4 8,we can't gratify every individual preference or whim10 replied ,mr4 ,randolph4 ,he asked ,irving if he knew of any reason why ,westby should be transferred and told him that the boy had asked for the change4 8,oh1 it's just between him and me10 said ,irving wearily4 8,we don't get on40 8,then you'd like to have him go1 too80 8,no1 ,i wouldn't4 ,when he's his natural self1 ,i like him4 ,and ,i haven't yet given up the hope that some time we'll get together40 ,he met ,westby's coldness with coolness4 ,but on the morning of the ,st4 ,john's game1 after breakfast1 he drew ,westby aside4 ,he held a letter in his hand4 8,westby10 he said1 8,i don't know that you will care to hear it1 but ,i have a message for you from my brother40 ,westby cast down his eyes and reddened4 8,i don't suppose ,i shall care to hear it10 he said with a humility that amazed ,irving4 8,but go ahead--give it to me1 ,mr4 ,upton40 8,i don't quite understand--he just asked me to say to you that he hopes you'll get your chance in the game to-day4 ,he felt you were rather cut up by your hard luck in the ,freshman game40 8,didn't he--isn't he--0 ,westby hesitated for an uncomfortable moment1 then blurted out1 8,isn't he sore at me1 ,mr4 ,upton80 8,what for80 8,for saying about him what ,i did--about his trying to lay ,collingwood out when he tackled40 8,he doesn't know you said it40 8,oh6 ,didn't you tell him80 8,no4 ,the criticism was unjust--there was no use in repeating it40 8,it was unjust40 ,westby had lowered his voice4 8,i am very much ashamed1 ,mr4 ,upton40 8,that's all right10 said ,irving4 ,he took ,westby's hand4 8,i hope too you'll get your chance in the game40 8,thank you40 ,westby spoke humbly4 8,i hope if ,i do1 ,i won't make a mess of it again40 ,that game was far different in color and feeling from the one with the ,freshmen on the ,saturday before4 ,long before it began the boys of ,st4 ,john's with their blue banners and flags and the boys of ,st4 ,timothy's with their red were ranged on opposite sides of the field1 hurling defiant1 challenging cheers across at one another2 for ,st4 ,timothy's a band1 in which ,scarborough beat the drum and was director1 paraded back and forth2 the little boys were already hopping up and down and trembling and squealing with excitement2 already their little voices were almost gone4 ,irving knew that to himself alone was this occasion one of less moving interest than that of the preceding ,saturday2 as he stood and looked on at the waving red and the waving blue and later at the struggle that was being waged in the middle of the field1 he wondered how on this afternoon that other game between the red and the blue was going1 and how ,lawrence was acquitting himself4 ,certainly it could not1 he thought1 be any more close1 more hotly contested1 than this of the two rival schools4 ,all through the first half they fought each other without scoring4 ,once ,st4 ,timothy's had got down to ,st4 ,john's fifteen-yard line1 but then had been unable to go farther1 and ,dennison had missed by only a few feet his try for a goal from the field4 ,early in the second half ,st4 ,timothy's met with misfortune4 ,dennison was laid out by a hard tackle2 when at last he got to his feet1 he limped badly4 ,louis ,collingwood took him by the arm and walked round with him2 ,dennison was arguing1 protesting4 ,but ,collingwood led him towards the side-line1 patting him on the back1 and called 8,westby60 ,the spectators cheered the injured player who came off so reluctantly2 then they cheered ,westby as he ran out upon the field4 ,irving was near the group of substitutes when ,dennison hobbled in4 8,hurt much1 ,denny80 asked ,briggs4 8,no--just that same old ankle--hang it all60 ,dennison slipped into a blanket and lowered himself painfully to the ground4 ,irving's eyes were upon ,westby2 he hoped that this time the boy would not fail4 ,westby had an opportunity now to steady his nerves2 it was ,st4 ,timothy's ball and only the first down4 ,collingwood gave the signal2 ,irving watched closely1 saw ,westby take the ball on the pass and dive into the line4 ,in a moment all the ,st4 ,timothy's eleven seemed to be behind him1 hurling him through1 and ,st4 ,timothy's on the side-lines waved and shouted1 for ,westby had gained five yards4 ,collingwood called on him again2 he gained three yards more4 ,irving shouted with the rest2 he turned to ,mr4 ,randolph and said1-- 8,that ought to give ,westby confidence40 8,i hope it does2 he's so erratic10 ,mr4 ,randolph answered4 8,if only he's starting in now on one of his brilliant streaks60 ,lane1 the ,fifth ,form halfback1 tried to go round the end on the next play1 but made no gain4 ,then ,westby was driven again at left tackle1 but he got only two yards4 ,collingwood gave the signal for a criss-cross2 ,lane took the ball1 and passed it to ,westby1 who was already on the run4 ,westby got clear of the ,st4 ,john's end1 and seemed well started for a brilliant run2 but their halfback chased him across the field and finally1 by a tremendous diving tackle1 pulled him down4 ,as it was1 ,westby had made so much of a gain that the distance had to be measured2 he had failed by only a few inches to make the required amount1 and the ball went to ,st4 ,john's on their thirty-five-yard line4 ,st4 ,john's made two ineffectual rushes2 then their fullback1 ,warner1 prepared to kick4 ,westby and ,collingwood raced to their places in the back field4 ,there was a tense moment on both sides2 then ,warner sent the ball flying high and far4 ,it was ,westby's ball2 the ,st4 ,john's ends and one of their tackles came down fast under the kick4 ,irving1 with his heart in his throat1 watched ,westby2 the boy1 with both hands raised1 was wabbling about1 stepping to the right1 to the left1 backward1 forward2 the ends were there in front of him1 crouched and waiting2 ,collingwood tried to fend them off1 but the big tackle rushed in and upset him1 and at the same instant the ball fell into ,westby's arms--and slipped through them4 ,one of the ends dropped on the ball1 rolled over with it a couple of times1 rolled up on his feet again and was off with it for the ,st4 ,timothy's goal2 he had carried it to the twenty-yard line when ,collingwood pulled him down4 ,st4 ,john's were streaming down their side line1 shrieking and waving their blue flags2 ,st4 ,timothy's stood dazed and silent4 8,oh1 butterfingers60 cried ,briggs1 stamping his foot4 8,just like ,wes--he wouldn't make a football player in a thousand years60 exclaimed ,windom4 ,irving heard the comments2 he heard other comments4 ,if ,st4 ,john's should score now6 ,he hoped they wouldn't2 he was sorry enough for ,westby4 ,but ,st4 ,john's did score1 by a series of furious centre rushes1 and their fullback kicked the goal4 ,and when1 fifteen minutes later1 the referee blew his whistle1 the game was ,st4 ,john's1 by that score of six to nothing4 ,irving could understand why some of the ,st4 ,timothy's boys had tears in their eyes4 ,it was pretty trying even for him to see the triumphant visitors rush upon the field1 toss the members of their team upon their shoulders1 and bear them away exultantly to the athletic house1 yelling and flaunting their flags1 while the ,st4 ,timothy's players walked disconsolately and silently behind them4 ,it was trying afterwards to stand by and see those blue-bedecked invaders form into long-linked lines and dance their serpentine of victory on ,st4 ,timothy's ground4 ,it was trying to stand by and watch barge after barge bedecked with blue roll away while the occupants shouted and waved their hats--and left the field to silence and despair4 ,but still ,st4 ,timothy's did not abandon the scene of their defeat4 ,they waited loyally in front of the athletic house to welcome and console their team when it should emerge4 ,collingwood led the players out1 and the crowd gave them a good one4 ,collingwood said1 with a smile1 though in an unsteady voice1 8,much obliged1 fellows10 and waved his hand4 ,then the crowd dispersed2 slowly they all walked away4 ,that evening1 as ,irving was about to leave his room to go down to supper1 a boy brought him a telegram4 ,it was from his brother2 it said1-- 8,we licked them1 twelve to six4 ,feeling fine4 ,lawrence40 ,at the table ,irving tried not to appear too happy4 ,he apologized for his state of mind and told the boys the cause2 those who1 like ,carroll1 were ,harvard sympathizers derived a little cheer from the news1 and the others seemed indifferent to it4 ,westby was not there4 ,the training table was vacant1 and at the other tables were empty chairs where substitutes on the team had sat4 ,mrs4 ,barclay was entertaining the football players4 8,i wish ,i was breaking training there10 said ,carroll to ,irving2 8she has the most wonderful food40 ,in the discussion of the game there seemed to be little disposition to blame ,westby4 8,after all10 said ,blake1 8he was only a sub1 and he never got so very much practice in handling punts4 ,i don't think fellows ought to be sore on him40 8,no1 he's just sore on himself10 said ,carroll4 8,it's hard luck1 anyhow2 except for that one thing he played mighty well40 ,the mail boy passed1 leaving a letter for ,irving4 ,it was in his uncle's handwriting2 and his uncle never wrote to him2 it was his aunt who kept him posted on all the news of home4 ,did this mean that she was ill--or that some disaster had befallen8 ,irving determined that if it was bad news1 he would reserve it until he should be alone2 he put the letter in his pocket and waited anxiously for the meal to end4 ,when he was again in his room1 he tore open the envelope and read this letter3-- ,,dear ,,irving1--,i have not helped you and ,lawrence much financially4 ,i thought it would do you and him no harm to try out your own resources4 ,but ,i always meant to give you a lift whenever it should seem wise1 and whenever a lift could be most advantageously arranged4 ,your father was never able to lay up any money2 his work was of a kind that did not permit that4 ,but he would always have shared with me whatever he had4 ,i have had it in mind to do the same by his children4 ,i have sold half the farm--the western half--your half and ,lawrence's4 ,there is four thousand dollars in cash for each of you1 and four thousand on a mortgage for each of you at six per cent4 ,you had better draw out of school-teaching as soon as possible and study law--if that is still what you most want to do4 ,your aunt is well and sends her love4 ,we are both looking forward to seeing you and ,lawrence at ,christmas4 ,your affectionate uncle1 ,,robert ,,upton4 ,a flood of warm emotion poured through ,irving2 his eyes filled4 ,he had sometimes thought his uncle selfish and narrow--and all the time he had been working towards this6 ,irving wrote his reply2 he wrote also to ,lawrence4 ,then he took his letters down to the ,study building1 to post them so that they might go out with the night mail4 ,on his way he passed the ,barclay house2 it was all brightly lighted1 the sound of laughter and of gay boy voices rang out through the open windows2 the notes of a piano then subdued them1 and there burst out a chorus in the sonorous measured sweep of 8,wacht am ,rhein40 ,irving stood for a few moments and listened2 his exultant heart was responsive to that shouted song4 ,fellows who could sing like that1 he thought1 must have trodden disappointment under heel4 ,an hour later1 when ,irving sat in his room1 the boys who had been entertained at the ,barclays' came tramping up the stairs4 ,they were still singing1 but they stopped their song before they entered the dormitory4 ,irving met them to say good-night--first ,dennison and then ,morrill and then ,louis ,collingwood4 8,have you heard the new song ,wes has got off1 ,mr4 ,upton80 asked ,dennison4 8,no1 what's that80 8,hit it up1 ,wes40 8,oh1 choke it off40 ,collingwood grinned uneasily4 8,go on1 ,wes1--strike up4 ,we'll all join in40 8,wait till ,i get my banjo--you don't mind1 do you1 ,mr4 ,upton80 8,no4 ,i'd like to hear it40 ,so ,westby hastened to his room and returned1 bearing the instrument2 and all the other boys gathered round1 except ,collingwood1 who stood sheepishly off at one side4 ,westby twanged the strings and then to the accompaniment began1-- 8,across the broad prairies he came from the west1 ,with fire in his eye and with brawn on his chest2 ,his arms they were strong and his legs they were fleet2 ,there was none could outstrip his vanishing feet2 ,we made him our captain--what else could we do8 ,you ask who he is8 ,do ,i hear you say1 #8,who8'0 ,then they all came in on the chorus3-- 8,he is our ,lou1 he is our honey-,lou1 ,he is our pride and joy2 ,he is our ,loo-loo1 he is our ,loo-loo1 ,he is our ,lou-,lou boy40 8,silly song60 exclaimed ,collingwood with disgust4 8,wes made it up just this evening1 at ,mrs4 ,barclay's10 said ,dennison4 8,we were all singing1 and after a while ,wes edged in to the piano and sprung this on us4 ,don't you think it's a good song80 8,so good that ,i wish ,i could furnish inspiration for another10 said ,irving4 ,westby joined in the laugh and looked pleased4 8,good-night1 everybody10 said ,collingwood2 he walked away to his room4 ,the others followed1 all except ,westby1 to whom ,irving said1-- 8,will you wait a moment8 ,i should like to have a little talk with you40 ,he led the boy into his room and pushed forward his armchair4 ,westby seated himself with his banjo across his knees and looked at ,irving wonderingly4 8,the fellows seem pretty cheerful after their defeat1 don't they80 said ,irving4 ,a shadow crossed ,westby's face4 8,they've been very decent about it10 he answered4 ,irving put his hand on ,westby's arm4 8,do you know why they're so decent8 ,it's because you've cheered them up yourself4 ,who was the fellow1 ,westby1 that said he didn't care who might make his country's laws if only he might write its songs80 ,illustration3 ,a ,,shadow ,,crossed ,,westby',s ,,face 8,oh--no--that's got nothing to do with me40 8,you needn't care who makes the touchdowns4 ,your job is to do something else4 ,it's no discredit to you if because of lack of training or adaptability1 you can't hang on to a ball at a critical moment4 ,there are plenty of fellows who can do that4--,i suppose you don't see it yet yourself--but you know the message my brother sent you8 ,i shall tell him that you got your chance to-day--and took it40 8,i don't see how40 8,well1 ,i don't know how you managed it exactly4 ,but ,i could see when those fellows came upstairs just now that you stood better with them than you ever had done before4 ,it must have been because you showed the right spirit--and ,i know by experience1 ,westby1 that it's awfully hard to show the right spirit when you're down40 ,there was silence for a few moments4 8,i guess ,i've made it hard for you10 said ,westby at last1 in a low voice4 8,you're different from what ,i thought you were40 ,irving's low laugh of exultation sprang from the heart4 8,maybe ,i am--and maybe you were right about me1 too4 ,a fellow changes4 ,a month ago1 ,i was wondering what use there could ever be in my studying law--trying to practise1 mixing with men--when ,i couldn't hold my own with a handful of boys4 ,for some reason1 ,i don't feel that way any longer4--,well1 that's about all ,i wanted to say to you1 ,westby40 ,he stood up4 8,good-night40 ,westby rose and shook hands4 8,good-night1 sir40 ,he passed out and quietly closed the door4 ,irving stood at the window1 gazing beyond the shadowy trees to the dim silver line of the pond1 touched now by the moonlight4 ,there was a knock on the door4 8,come in10 ,irving called4 ,it was ,westby again4 8,oh1 ,mr4 ,upton10 he said1 8,i meant to tell you--,i heard at ,mr4 ,barclay's how the ,freshman game came out2 ,i wish1 if you would1 you'd send your brother my congratulations40 8,thank you1 ,i will40 8,good-night1 sir40 8,good-night40 ,the door closed softly4 ,irving turned again and pressed his forehead against the window-pane with a smile4 ,it was a smile not merely of satisfaction because he had won his way at last1 though he was not indifferent to that2 he was happy too because this night he felt he had come close to ,westby4