,,also ,,by ,,horace ,a4 ,,vachell ,,quinneys' ,,the ,,hill ,a ,,romance ,,of ,,friendship ,,horace ,,annesley ,,vachell ,,london ,,john ,,murray1 ,,albemarle ,,street ,,first ,,edition ,april1 #aije ,fortieth ,impression ,jan41 #aiej ,transcriber's ,note3 ,minor typographical errors have been corrected without note4 ,greek text has been transliterated and is shown between braces4 ,to ,,george ,w4 ,e4 ,,russell ,i dedicate this ,romance of ,friendship to you with the sincerest pleasure and affection4 ,you were the first to suggest that ,i should write a book about contemporary life at ,harrow2 you gave me the principal idea2 you have furnished me with notes innumerable2 you have revised every page of the manuscript2 and you are a peculiarly keen ,harrovian4 ,in making this public declaration of my obligations to you1 ,i take the opportunity of stating that the characters in ,the ,hill1 whether masters or boys1 are not portraits1 although they may be called1 truthfully enough1 composite photographs2 and that the episodes of ,drinking and ,gambling are founded on isolated incidents1 not on habitual practices4 ,moreover1 in attempting to reproduce the curious admixture of strenuousness and sentiment--your own phrase--which animates so vitally ,harrow life1 ,i have been obliged to select the less common types of ,harrovian4 ,only the elect are capable of such friendship as ,john ,verney entertained for ,henry ,desmond2 and few boys1 happily1 are possessed of such powers as ,scaife is shown to exercise4 ,but that there are such boys as ,verney and ,scaife1 nobody knows better than yourself4 ,believe me1 ,yours most gratefully1 ,,horace ,,annesley ,,vachell ,,beechwood1 ,february #bb1 #aije ,,contents ,,chap4 ,,page ,i4 ,,the ,,manor #a ,,ii4 ,,caesar #ai ,,iii4 ,,kraipale #ce ,,iv4 ,,torpids #eh ,v4 ,,fellowship #gj ,,vi4 ,a ,,revelation #ib ,,vii4 ,,reform #ajg ,,viii4 ,,verney ,,boscobel #abc ,,ix4 ,,black ,,spots #adj ,x4 ,,decapitation #aeh ,,xi4 ,,self-,,questioning #agc ,,xii4 ,,lord',s #ahi ,,xiii4 ,,if ,i ,,perish1 ,i ,,perish #baa ,,xiv4 ,,good ,,night #bcj ,,chapter ,i ,the ,manor ,five hundred faces1 and all so strange6 ,life in front of me--home behind1 ,i felt like a waif before the wind ,tossed on an ocean of shock and change4 ,chorus4 ,yet the time may come1 as the years go by1 ,when your heart will thrill ,at the thought of the ,hill1 ,and the day that you came so strange and shy4 ,the train slid slowly out of ,harrow station4 ,five minutes before1 a man and a boy had been walking up and down the long platform4 ,the boy wondered why the man1 his uncle1 was so strangely silent4 ,then1 suddenly1 the elder ,john ,verney had placed his hands upon the shoulders of the younger ,john1 looking down into eyes as grey and as steady as his own4 ,you'll find plenty of fellows abusing ,harrow1 he said quietly2 but take it from me1 that the fault lies not in ,harrow1 but in them4 ,such boys1 as a rule1 do not come out of the top drawer4 ,don't look so solemn4 ,you're about to take a header into a big river4 ,in it are rocks and rapids2 but you know how to swim1 and after the first plunge you'll enjoy it1 as ,i did1 amazingly4 ,ra--ther1 said ,john4 ,in the ,new ,forest1 where ,john had spent most of his life at his uncle's place of ,verney ,boscobel1 this uncle1 his dead father's only brother1 was worshipped as a hero4 ,indeed he filled so large a space in the boy's imagination1 that others were cramped for room4 ,john ,verney in ,india1 in ,burmah1 in ,africa 7he took continents in his stride71 moved colossal4 ,and when uncle and nephew met1 behold1 the great traveller stood not much taller than ,john himself6 ,that first moment1 the instant shattering of a precious delusion1 held anguish4 ,but now1 as the train whirled away the silent1 thin1 little man1 he began to expand again4 ,john saw him scaling heights1 cutting a path through impenetrable forests1 wading across dismal swamps1 an ever-moving figure1 seeking the hitherto unknowable and irreclaimable1 introducing order where chaos reigned supreme1 a world-famous pioneer4 ,how good to think that ,john ,verney was his uncle1 blood of his blood1 his1 his1 his--for all time6 ,and1 long ago1 ,john1 senior1 had come to ,harrow2 had felt what ,john1 junior1 felt to the core--the dull1 grinding wrench of separation1 the sense1 not yet to be analysed by a boy1 of standing alone upon the edge of a river1 indeed1 into which he must plunge headlong in a few minutes4 ,well1 ,uncle ,john had taken his header with a stout heart--who dared to doubt that8 ,surely he had not waited1 shivering and hesitating1 at the jumping-off place4 ,the train was now out of sight4 ,john slipped the uncle's tip into his purse1 and walked out of the station and on to the road beyond1 the road which led to the top of the ,hill4 ,the ,hill4 ,presently1 the boy reached some iron palings and a wicket-gate4 ,his uncle had pointed out this gate and the steep path beyond which led to the top of the ,hill1 to the churchyard1 to the ,peachey tomb on which ,byron dreamed1#a to the ,high ,street--and to the ,manor4 ,it was pleasant to remember that he was going to board at the ,manor1 with its traditions1 its triumphs1 its record4 ,in his uncle's day the ,manor ranked first among the boarding-houses4 ,not a doubt disturbed ,john's conviction that it ranked first still4 ,the boy stared upwards with a keen gaze4 ,had the mother seen her son at that moment1 she might have discerned a subtle likeness between uncle and nephew1 not the likeness of the flesh1 but of the spirit4 ,september rains1 followed by a day of warm sunshine1 had lured from the earth a soft haze which obscured the big fields at the foot of the ,hill4 ,john could make out fences1 poplars1 elms1 ,scotch firs1 and spectral houses4 ,but1 above1 everything was clear4 ,the school-buildings1 such as he could see1 stood out boldly against a cloudless sky1 and above these soared the spire of ,harrow ,church1 pointing an inexorable finger upwards4 ,afterwards this spot became dear to ,john ,verney1 because here1 where mists were chill and blinding1 he had been impelled to leave the broad high-road and take a path which led into a shadowy future4 ,in obedience to an impulse stronger than himself he had taken the short cut to what awaited him4 ,for a few minutes he stood outside the palings1 trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat4 ,this was not his first visit to ,harrow4 ,at the end of the previous term1 he had ascended the ,hill to pass the entrance examination4 ,a master from his preparatory school accompanied him1 an ,etonian1 who had stared rather superciliously--so ,john thought--at buildings less venerable than those which ,henry ,,vi raised near ,windsor4 ,john1 who had perceptions1 was elusively conscious that his companion1 too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words1 might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's2 and when the ,etonian1 gazing across the plains below to where ,windsor lay1 a soft shadow upon the horizon1 said abruptly1 ,i wish ,eton had been built upon a hill1 ,john replied effusively3 ,oh1 sir1 it is decent of you to say that4 ,the examination1 however1 distracted his attention from all things save the papers4 ,to his delight he found these easy1 and1 as soon as he left the examination-room1 he was popped into a cab and taken back to town4 ,coming down the flight of steps1 he had seen a few boys hurrying up or down the road4 ,at these the ,etonian cocked a twinkling eye4 ,queer kit you ,harrow boys wear1 he said4 ,john1 inordinately grateful at this recognition of himself as an ,harrovian1 forgave the gibe4 ,it had struck him1 also1 that the shallow straw hat1 the swallow-tail coat1 did look queer1 but he regarded them reverently as the uniform of a crack corps4 ,to-day1 standing by the iron palings1 ,john reviewed the events of the last hour4 ,the view was blurred by unshed tears4 ,his uncle and he had driven together to the ,manor4 ,here1 the explorer had exercised his peculiar personal magnetism upon the house-master1 a tall1 burly man of truculent aspect and speech4 ,john realized proudly that his uncle was the bigger of the two1 and the giant acknowledged1 perhaps grudgingly1 the dwarf's superiority4 ,the talk1 short enough1 had wandered into ,darkest ,africa4 ,his uncle1 as usual1 said little1 replying almost in monosyllables to the questions of his host2 but ,john junior told himself exultantly that it was not necessary for ,uncle ,john to talk2 the wide world knew what he had done4 ,then his house-master1 ,rutford1 had told ,john where to buy his first straw hat4 ,you can get one without an order at the beginning of each term1 said he1 in a thick1 rasping voice4 ,but you must ask me for an order if you want a second4 ,then he had shown ,john his room1 to be shared with two other boys1 and had told him the hour of lock-up4 ,and then1 after tea1 came the walk down the hill1 the tip1 the firm grasp of the sinewy hand1 and a final--,god bless you4 ,coming to the end of these reflections1 confronted by the inexorable future1 and the necessity1 no less inexorable1 of stepping into it1 ,john passed through the gate4 ,his heart fluttered furiously1 and the lump in the throat swelled inconveniently4 ,john1 however1 had provided himself with a cure-all4 ,plunging his hand into his pocket1 he pulled out a cartridge1 an unused twenty-bore gun cartridge4 ,looking at this1 ,john smiled4 ,when he smiled he became good-looking4 ,the face1 too long1 plain1 but full of sense and humour1 rounded itself into the gracious curves of youth2 the serious grey eyes sparkled2 the lips1 too firmly compressed1 parted1 revealing admirable teeth1 small and squarely set2 into the cheeks1 brown rather than pink1 flowed a warm stream of colour4 ,the cartridge stood for so much4 ,only a week before1 ,uncle ,john1 on his arrival from ,manchuria1 had handed his nephew a small leather case and a key4 ,the case held a double-barrelled1 hammerless1 ejector1 twenty-bore gun1 with a great name upon its polished blue barrels4 ,the sight of the cartridge justified ,john's expectations4 ,he put it back into his pocket1 and strode forward and upward4 99 99 99 99 99 ,close to the ,school ,chapel1 ,john remarked a curly-headed young gentleman of wonderfully prepossessing appearance1 from whom emanated an air1 an atmosphere1 of genial enjoyment which diffused itself4 ,the bricks of the school-buildings seemed redder and warmer1 as if they were basking in this sunny smile4 ,the youth was smiling now1 smiling--at ,john4 ,for several hours ,john had been miserably aware that surprises awaited him1 but not smiles4 ,he knew no ,harrovians2 at his school1 a small one1 his fellows were labelled ,winchester1 ,eton1 ,wellington2 none1 curiously enough1 ,harrow4 ,and already he had passed half a dozen boys1 the first-comers1 some strangers1 like himself1 and in each face he had read indifference4 ,not one had taken the trouble to say1 ,hullo6 ,who are you8 after the rough and ready fashion of the private school4 ,and now this smiling1 fascinating person was actually about to address him1 and in the old familiar style---- ,hullo6 ,hullo6 ,i met your governor the other day4 ,did you8 ,john replied4 ,his father had died when ,john was seven4 ,obviously1 a blunder in identity had created this genial smile4 ,john wished that his father had not died4 ,yes1 pursued the smiling one1 ,i met him--partridge-shooting at home--and he asked me to be on the look-out for you4 ,it's queer you should turn up at once1 isn't it8 ,yes1 said ,john4 ,your governor looked awfully fit4 ,did he8 ,then ,john added solemnly1 ,my governor died when ,i was a kid4 ,the other gasped2 then he threw back his curly head and laughed4 ,i say1 ,i beg your pardon4 ,i didn't mean to laugh4 ,if you're not ,hardacre1 who are you8 ,verney4 ,i've just come4 ,verney8 ,that's a great ,harrow name4 ,are you any relation to the explorer8 ,nephew1 said ,john1 blushing4 ,ah--you ought to have been here last ,speecher4#b ,we cheered him1 ,i can tell you4 ,and the song was sung3 the one with his name in it4 ,yes1 said ,john4 ,then he added nervously1 ,all the same1 ,i don't know a soul at ,harrow4 ,desmond smiled4 ,the smile assured ,john that his name would secure him a cordial welcome4 ,desmond added abruptly1 ,my name1 ,desmond1 is a ,harrow name4 ,my father1 my grandfather1 my uncles1 and three brothers were here4 ,it does make a difference4 ,what's your house8 ,the ,manor1 said ,john1 proudly4 ,dirty ,dick's6 ,then1 seeing consternation writ large upon ,john's face1 he added quickly1 ,we call him ,dirty ,dick1 you know2 but the house is--er--one of the oldest and biggest--er--houses4 ,he continued hurriedly3 ,i'm going into ,damer's next term4 ,damer's is always chock-a-block1 you know4 ,why is ,rutford called ',dirty ,dick'8 ,john asked nervously4 ,he doesn't look dirty4 ,oh1 we've licked him into a sort of shape1 said ,desmond4 ,i believe he toshes now--once a month or so4 ,toshes8 ,tubs1 you know4 ,we call a tub a 'tosh4' ,when ,dirty ,dick came here he was unclean4 ,he told his form--oh6 the cheek of it6--that in his filthy mind one bath a week was plenty1 unconsciously the boy mimicked the thick1 rasping tones--two1 luxury1 and three--superfluity6 ,after that he was called ,dirty ,dick4 ,there's another story4 ,they say that years ago he went to a ,turkish bath1 and after a rare good scraping the man who was scraping him--nasty job that6--found something which ,dirty ,dick recognized as a beastly flannel shirt he had lost when he was at the ',varsity4 ,but only the ,fourth ,form boys swallow that4 ,hullo6 ,there's a pal of mine4 ,see you again4 ,he ran off gaily4 ,john walked to the shop where straw hats were sold4 ,here he met other new boys1 who regarded him curiously1 but said nothing4 ,john put on his hat1 and gave ,rutford's name to the young man who waited on him4 ,he had an absurd feeling that the young man would say1 ,oh yes--,dirty ,dick's6 ,one very nice-looking pink-cheeked boy said to another boy that he was at ,damer's4 ,john could have sworn that the hatter's assistant regarded the pink youth with increased deference4 ,why had ,uncle ,john sent him to ,dirty ,dick's8 ,he hurried out of the shop1 fuming4 ,then he remembered the hammerless gun4 ,after all1 the ,manor had been the house once1 and it might be the house again4 ,by this time the boys were arriving4 ,groups were forming4 ,snatches of chatter reached ,john's ears4 ,yes1 ,i shot a stag1 a nine-pointer4 ,my governor is going to have it set up for me---- ,what8 ,walked up your grouse with dogs6 ,we drive ours---- ,i had some ripping cricket1 made a century in one match---- ,by ,jove6 ,did you really8---- ,john passed on4 ,these were bloods1 tremendous swells1 grown men with a titillating flavour of the world about their distinguished persons4 ,a minute later he was staring disconsolately at a group of his fellows just in front of ,dir----of ,rutford's side door4 ,an impulse seized him to turn and flee4 ,what would ,uncle ,john say to that8 ,so he advanced4 ,the boys made way politely1 asking no questions4 ,as he passed through he caught a few eager words4 ,i was hoping that the brute had gone4 ,it is a sickener1 and no mistake6 ,john ascended the battered1 worn-out staircase1 wondering who the brute was4 ,perhaps a sort of ,flashman4 ,john knew his ,tom ,brown2 but some one had told him that bullying had ceased to be4 ,great emphasis had been laid on the brute1 whoever he might be4 ,upon the second-floor passage1 he found his room and one of its tenants1 who nodded carelessly as ,john crossed the threshold4 ,i'm ,scaife1 he said4 ,are you the ,lord1 or the ,commoner8 ,he laughed1 indicating a large portmanteau1 labelled1 ,lord ,esme ,kinloch4 ,i'm ,verney1 said ,john4 ,i've bagged the best bed1 said ,scaife1 after a pause1 and ,i advise you to bag the next best one1 over there4 ,it was mine last term4 ,i don't see the beds1 said ,john1 staring about him4 ,scaife pointed out what appeared to be three tall1 narrow wardrobes4 ,the rest of the furniture included three much-battered washstands and chests of drawers1 four ,windsor chairs1 and a square table1 covered with innumerable inkstains and roughly-carved names4 ,the beds let down1 ,scaife said1 and during the first school the maids make them1 and shut them up again4 ,it is considered a joke to crawl into another fellow's room at night1 and shut him up4 ,you find yourself standing upon your head in the dark1 choking4 ,it is a joke--for the other fellow4 ,did some one do that to you8 asked ,john4 ,yes2 a big lout in the ,third ,fifth1 ,scaife smiled grimly4 ,and what did you do8 ,i waited for him next day with a cricket stump4 ,there was an awful row1 because ,i let him have it a bit too hard2 but ,i've not been shut up since4 ,that bed is a beast4 ,it collapses4 ,he chuckled4 ,young ,kinloch won't find it quite as soft as the ones at ,white ,ladies4 ,well1 like the rest of us1 he'll have to take ,dirty ,dick's as he finds it4 ,the bolt had fallen4 ,john asked in a quavering voice1 ,then it is called that8 ,called what8 ,this house4 ,dirty ,dick's6 ,scaife smiled cynically4 ,he looked about a year older than ,john1 but he had the air and manners of a man of the world--so ,john thought4 ,also1 he was very good-looking1 handsomer than ,desmond1 and in striking contrast to that smiling1 genial youth1 being dark1 almost swarthy of complexion1 with strongly-marked features and rather coarse hands and feet4 ,everybody here calls it ,dirty ,dick's1 he replied curtly4 ,john stared helplessly4 ,but1 he muttered1 ,i heard1 ,i was told1 that the ,manor was the best house in the school4 ,it used to be1 ,scaife answered4 ,to-day1 it comes jolly near being the worst4 ,the fellows in other houses are decent2 they don't rub it in2 but1 between ourselves1 the ,manor has gone to pot ever since ,dirty ,dick took hold of it4 ,damer's is the swell house now4 ,john began to unstrap his portmanteau4 ,scaife puzzled him4 ,for instance1 he displayed no curiosity4 ,he did not put the questions always asked at a ,preparatory ,school4 ,without turning his thought into words1 ,john divined that at ,harrow it was bad form to ask questions4 ,as he wanted to ask a question1 a very important question1 this enforced silence became exasperating4 ,presently ,scaife said1 ,i suppose you are one of the ,claydon lot4 ,no2 my home is in the ,new ,forest4 ,my uncle is ,verney of ,verney ,boscobel4 ,oh6 his name is on the panels at the head of the staircase2 and it's carved on a bed in the next room4 ,crikey6 ,i must go and look at it4 ,you can look at the panels1 of course2 but don't say ',crikey6' and don't go into the next room4 ,two ,fifth ,form fellows have it4 ,it would be infernal cheek4 ,john hoped that ,scaife would offer to accompany him to the panels4 ,then he went alone4 ,it being now within half an hour of lock-up1 the passages were swarming with boys4 ,soon ,john would see them assembled in ,hall1 where their names would be called over by ,rutford4 ,everybody--,john had been told--was expected to be present at this first call-over1 except a few boys who might be coming from a distance4 ,john worked his way along the upper passage1 and down the second flight of stairs till he came to the first landing4 ,here1 close to the house notice-board1 were some oak panels covered with names and dates1 all carved--so ,john learned later--by a famous ,harrow character1 ,sam ,hoare1 once ,custos of the ,school4 ,the boy glanced eagerly1 ardently1 up and down the panels4 ,ah1 yes1 here was his father's name1 and here--his uncle's4 ,and then out of the dull1 finely-grained oak1 shone other names familiar to all who love the ,hill and its traditions4 ,john's heart grew warm again with pride in the house that had held such men4 ,the name of the great statesman and below it a mighty warrior's made him thrill and tremble4 ,they were ,old ,harrovians1 these fellows1 men whom his uncle had known1 men of whom his dear mother1 wise soul6 had spoken a thousand times4 ,the landing and the passages were roaring with the life of the present moment4 ,boys1 big and small1 were chaffing each other loudly4 ,under some circumstances1 this new-comer1 a stranger1 ignored entirely1 might have felt desolate and forlorn in the heart of such a crowd2 but ,john was tingling with delight and pleasure4 ,suddenly1 the noise moderated4 ,john1 looking up1 saw a big fellow slowly approaching1 exchanging greetings with everybody4 ,john turned to a boy close to him4 ,who is it8 he whispered4 ,the other boy answered curtly1 ,lawrence1 the ,head of the ,house4 ,the big fellow suddenly caught ,john's eyes4 ,what he read there--admiration1 respect1 envy--brought a slight smile to his lips4 ,your name8 he demanded4 ,verney4 ,lawrence held out his hand1 simply and yet with a certain dignity4 ,i heard you were coming1 he said1 keenly examining ,john's face4 ,we can't have too many ,verneys4 ,if ,i can do anything for you1 let me know4 ,he nodded1 and strode on4 ,john saw that several boys were staring with a new interest4 ,none1 however1 spoke to him2 and he returned to his room with a blushing face4 ,scaife had unpacked his clothes and put them away2 he was now surveying the bare walls with undisguised contempt4 ,isn't this a beastly hole8 he remarked4 ,john1 always interested in people rather than things1 examined the room carefully4 ,passing down the passage he had caught glimpses of other rooms3 some charmingly furnished1 gay with chintz1 embellished with pictures1 ,japanese fans1 silver cups1 and other trophies4 ,comparing these with his own apartment1 ,john said shyly-- ,it's not very beefy4 ,beefy8 ,you smell of a private school1 ,verney4 ,now1 is it worth doing up8 ,you see1 ,i shall be in a two-room next term4 ,if we all chip in---- he paused4 ,i've brought back two quid1 said ,john4 ,scaife's smile indicated neither approval nor the reverse4 ,john's ingenuous confidence provoked none in return4 ,we'll talk about it when ,kinloch arrives4 ,i wonder why his people sent him here4 ,john had studied some books1 but not the ,peerage4 ,the great name of ,kinloch was new to him1 not new to ,scaife1 who1 for a boy1 knew his ,burke too odiously well4 ,why shouldn't his people send him here8 he asked4 ,because1 ,scaife's tone was contemptuous1 because the ,kinlochs--they're a great cricketing family--go to ,eton4 ,the duke must have some reason4 ,the duke8 ,hang it1 surely you have heard of the ,duke of ,trent8 ,yes1 said ,john1 humbly4 ,and this is his son8 ,he glanced at the label on the new portmanteau4 ,whose son should he be8 said ,scaife4 ,well1 it's queer4 ,dukes#c and dukes' sons come to ,harrow--all the ,hamiltons were here1 and the ,fitz,roys1 and the ,st4 ,maurs--but the ,kinlochs1 as ,i say1 have gone to ,eton4 ,it's a rum thing--very4 ,and why the deuce hasn't he turned up8 ,the clanging of a bell brought both boys to their feet4 ,lock-up1 and call-over1 said ,scaife4 ,come on6 ,they pushed their way down the passage4 ,several boys addressed ,scaife4 ,hullo1 ,demon6--,here's the old ,demon6--,demon1 ,i thought you were going to be sacked6 ,to these and other sallies ,scaife replied with his slightly ironical smile4 ,john perceived that his companion was popular and at the same time peculiar2 quite different from any boy he had yet met4 ,they filed into a big room--the dining-room of the house--a square1 lofty hall1 with three long tables in it4 ,on the walls hung some portraits of famous ,old ,harrovians4 ,as a room it was disappointing at first sight1 almost commonplace4 ,but in it1 ,john soon found out1 everything for weal or woe which concerned the ,manor had taken place or had been discussed4 ,there were two fireplaces and two large doors4 ,the boys passed through one door2 upon the threshold of the other stood the butler1 holding a silver salver1 with a sheet of paper on it4 ,what cheek6 murmured ,scaife4 ,eh8 said ,john4 ,dirty ,dick isn't here4 ,just like him1 the slacker6 ,and when he does come over on our side of the ,house1 he slimes about in carpet slippers--the beast6 ,lawrence entered as ,scaife spoke4 ,john saw that his strongly-marked eyebrows went up1 when he perceived the butler4 ,he approached1 and took the sheet of paper4 ,the butler said impressively-- ,mr4 ,rutford is busy4 ,will you call over1 sir8 ,at any rate1 the butler1 ,dumbleton1 was worthy of the best traditions of the ,manor4 ,he had a shrewd1 clean-shaven face1 and the deportment of an archbishop4 ,the ,head of the ,house took the paper1 and began to call over the names4 ,each boy1 as his name was called1 said1 ,here1 or1 if he wished to be funny1 ,here1 sir6 ,verney8 ,the name rang out crisply4 ,here1 sir1 said ,john4 ,the ,head of the ,house eyed him sharply4 ,kinloch8 ,no answer4 ,kinloch8 ,scaife answered dryly3 ,kinloch's portmanteau has come4 ,then ,dumbleton said in his smooth1 bland voice1 ,his lordship is in the drawing-room with ,mr4 ,rutford4 ,the boys exchanged knowing glances4 ,scaife looked contemptuous4 ,the next moment the last name had been called1 and the boys scurried into the passages4 ,lawrence was the first to leave the hall4 ,impulsively1 ,john rushed up to him4 ,i didn't mean to be funny1 ,i didn't really1 he panted4 ,quite right4 ,it doesn't pay1 ,lawrence smiled grimly1 for new boys to be funny4 ,i saw you didn't mean it4 ,lawrence spoke in a loud voice4 ,john realized that he had so spoken purposely1 trying to wipe out a new boy's first blunder4 ,thanks awfully1 said ,john4 ,he reached his room to find three other boys busily engaged in abusing their house-master4 ,they took no notice of ,john1 who leaned against the wall4 ,his lordship is in the drawing-room with ,mr4 ,rutford4 ,a freckle-faced1 red-headed youth1 with a big elastic mouth had imitated ,dumbleton admirably4 ,what a snob ,dick is6 drawled a very tall1 very thin1 aristocratic-looking boy4 ,and a fool1 added ,scaife4 ,this sort of thing makes him loathed4 ,it is a sell his being here4 ,all three fell to talking4 ,the question still festering in ,john's mind was answered within a minute4 ,the brute was ,rutford4 ,towards the end of the previous term gossip had it that the master of the ,manor had been offered an appointment elsewhere4 ,whereat the worthier spirits in the ancient house rejoiced4 ,now the joy was turned into wailing and gnashing of teeth4 ,is he a beast to us8 said ,john4 ,the freckle-faced boy answered affably1 ,that depends4 ,his ,imperial ,highness--he kicked the new portmanteau hard--will not find ,mr4 ,richard ,rutford a beast4 ,far from it4 ,and he's civil to the ,demon1 because his papa is a man of many shekels4 ,but to mere outsiders1 like myself1 a beast of beasts2 ay1 the very king of beasts1 is--,dirty ,dick4 ,and then--oh1 horrors6--the door of ,no4 #ae opened1 and ,rutford appeared1 followed by a seemingly young and very fashionably dressed lady4 ,the boys jumped to their feet4 ,all1 except ,scaife1 looked preternaturally solemn4 ,the house-master nodded carelessly4 ,this is ,scaife1 ,duchess1 he said in his thick1 rasping tones4 ,scaife and ,verney1 let me present you to the ,duchess of ,trent4 ,he mouthed the illustrious name1 as if it were a large and ripe greengage4 ,the duchess advanced1 smiling graciously4 ,these--,rutford named the other boys--are ,egerton1 ,lovell1 and--er--,duff4 ,scaife1 alone of those present1 appreciated the order in which his schoolfellows had been named4 ,egerton--known as the ,caterpillar--was the son of a ,guardsman2 ,lovell's father was a judge2 ,duff's father an obscure parson4 ,the duchess shook hands with each boy4 ,your father and ,i are old friends1 she said to ,egerton2 and ,i have had the pleasure of meeting your uncle1 she smiled at ,john4 ,duff looked unhappy and ill at ease1 because it was almost certain that his last sentence had been overheard by the house-master4 ,the duchess asked a few questions and then took her leave4 ,she and her son were dining with the ,head ,master4 ,rutford accompanied her4 ,did the blighter hear8 said ,duff4 ,how could he help it with his enormous asses' ears8 said the tall1 thin ,egerton4 ,duff1 an optimist1 like all red-headed1 freckled boys1 appealed to the others1 each in turn4 ,the verdict was unanimous4 ,he hates me like poison1 said ,duff4 ,i shall catch it hot4 ,what an unlucky beggar ,i am6 ,pooh6 said ,scaife4 ,he knows jolly well that the whole school calls him ,dirty ,dick4 ,but whatever hopes ,duff may have entertained of his house-master's deafness were speedily laid in the dust4 ,within five minutes ,rutford reappeared4 ,he stood in the doorway1 glaring4 ,just now1 ,duff1 said he1 ,i happened to overhear your voice1 which is singularly1 ,i may say vulgarly1 penetrating4 ,you were speaking of me1 your house-master1 as ',dick4' ,but you used an adjective before it4 ,what was it8 ,duff writhed4 ,i don't--remember4 ,oh yes1 you do4 ,why lie1 ,duff8 ,john's brown face grew pale4 ,the adjective you used1 continued ,rutford1 was 'dirty4' ,you spoke of me as ',dirty ,dick1' and ,i fancy ,i caught the word 'beast4' ,you will write out1 if you please1 one hundred ,greek lines1 accents and stops1 and bring them to me1 or leave them with ,dumbleton1 twenty-five lines at a time1 every alternate half hour during the afternoon of the next half holiday4 ,good night to you4 ,good night1 sir1 said all the boys1 save ,john and ,scaife4 ,good night1 ,verney4 ,master and pupil confronted each other4 ,john's face looked impassive2 and ,rutford turned from the new boy to ,scaife4 ,good night1 ,scaife4 ,scaife drew himself up1 and1 in a quiet1 cool voice1 replied-- ,good night1 sir4 ,duff waited till ,rutford's heavy step was no longer heard2 then he rushed at ,john4 ,i say1 he spluttered1 you're a good sort--ain't he1 ,demon8 ,refusing to say ',good night' to the beast because he was ragging me4 ,but he'll never forgive you--never6 ,oh yes1 he will1 said ,scaife4 ,it won't be difficult for ,dirty ,dick to forgive the future ,verney of ,verney ,boscobel4 ,john stared4 ,verney ,boscobel8 he repeated4 ,why1 that belongs to my uncle4 ,mother and ,i hope he'll marry and have a lot of jolly kids of his own4 ,you hope he'll marry8 ,well1 ,i'm---- ,john's jaw stuck out4 ,the emphasis on the hope and the upraised eyebrow smote hard4 ,you don't mean to say1 he began hotly1 you don't think that---- ,i can think what ,i please1 said ,scaife1 curtly2 and so can you4 ,he laughed derisively4 ,thinking what they please is about the only liberty allowed to new boys4 ,even the ,duffer learned to hold his tongue during his first term4 ,the ,caterpillar--the tall1 thin1 aristocratic boy--spoke solemnly4 ,he was a dandy1 the understudy--as ,john soon discovered--of one of the ,bloods2 a ,junior ,blood1 or ,would-be1 a tremendous authority on swagger1 a stickler for tradition1 who had been nearly three years in the school4 ,the ,demon is right1 said he4 ,a new boy can't be too careful1 ,verney4 ,your being funny in hall just now made a dev'lish bad impression4 ,but ,i didn't mean to be funny4 ,i told ,lawrence so directly after call-over4 ,the ,caterpillar pulled down his cuffs4 ,if you didn't mean to be funny1 he concluded1 you must be an ass4 ,duff1 however1 remembered that ,john was nephew to an explorer4 ,i say1 he jogged ,john's elbow1 do you think you could get me your uncle's autograph8 ,why1 of course1 said ,john4 ,thanks4 ,i've not a bad collection1 the ,duffer murmured modestly4 ,and the gem of it1 said ,scaife1 is ,billington's1 the hangman6 ,the ,duffer shivers whenever he looks at it4 ,yes1 ,i do1 said ,duff1 grinning horribly4 ,after supper and ,prayers1 ,john went to bed1 but not to sleep for at least an hour4 ,he lay awake1 thinking over the events of this memorable day4 ,whenever he closed his eyes he beheld two objects3 the spire of ,harrow ,church and the vivid1 laughing face of ,desmond4 ,he told himself that he liked ,desmond most awfully4 ,and ,scaife too1 the ,demon1 had been kind4 ,but somehow ,john did not like ,scaife4 ,then1 in a curious half-dreamy condition1 not yet asleep and assuredly not quite awake1 he seemed to see the figure of ,scaife expanding1 assuming terrific proportions1 impending over ,desmond1 standing between him and the spire1 obscuring part of the spire at first1 and then1 bit by bit1 overshadowing the whole4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,byron1 writing to ,john ,murray1 ,may #bf1 #ahbb1 and giving directions for the burial of poor little ,allegra's body1 says-- ,i wish it to be buried in ,harrow ,church4 ,there is a spot in the churchyard1 near the footpath1 on the brow of the hill looking towards ,windsor1 and a tomb under a large tree 7bearing the name of ,peachie1 or ,peachey71 where ,i used to sit for hours and hours as a boy3 this was my favourite spot2 but1 as ,i wish to erect a tablet to her memory1 the body had better be deposited in the church4 ,see also ,lines written beneath an elm in the churchyard of ,harrow1 in ,hours of ,idleness4 #b ,speecher--i4e4 ,speech-,day4 ,at ,harrow er is a favourite termination of many substantives4 ,harder1 for hard-ball racquets1 ,footer1 ,ducker1 etc4 #c ,the ,duke of ,dorset was ,byron's fag4 ,cf4-- ,though the harsh custom of our youthful band ,bade thee obey1 and gave me to command4 ,hours of ,idleness4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,caesar ,you come here where your brothers came1 ,to the old school years ago1 ,a young new face1 and a ,harrow name1 ',mid a crowd of strangers8 ,no6 ,you may not fancy yourself alone1 ,you who are memory's heir1 ,when even the names in the graven stone ,will greet you with ',who goes there-- ,you8-- ,pass1 ,friend--,all's well4' ,john never forgot that memorable morning when he learned for the first time what place he had taken in the school4 ,he sat with the other new-comers1 staring1 open-eyed1 at nearly six hundred boys1 big and small1 assembled together in the ,speech-room4 ,so engrossed was he that he scarcely heard the ,head ,master's opening prayers4 ,john was obsessed1 inebriated1 with the number of ,harrovians1 each of whom had once felt strange and shy like himself4 ,from his place close to the great organ1 he could look up and up1 seeing row after row of faces1 knowing that amongst them sat his future friends and foes4 ,suddenly1 a neighbour nudged him4 ,the ,head ,master was reading from a list in his hand the school-removes1 and the names and places taken by new boys4 ,he began at the lowest form with the name of a small urchin sitting near ,john4 ,the urchin blinked and blushed as he realized that he was lag of the school4 ,john knew that he had answered fairly well the questions set by the examiners2 he had no fear of finding himself pilloried in the ,third ,fourth2 still1 as form after form did not include his name1 he grew restless and excited4 ,had he taken a higher place than the ,middle ,shell8 ,yes2 no ,verney in the ,middle ,shell4 ,the ,head ,master began the removes of the top ,shell4 ,now1 now it must be coming4 ,no2 the clear1 penetrating tones slowly articulated name after name1 but not his4 ,verney4 ,at last4 ,many eyes were staring at him1 some enviously1 a few superciliously4 ,john had taken the ,lower ,remove1 the highest form but one open to new boys4 ,he was sipping the wine called ,success4 ,moreover1 ,desmond of the frank1 laughing face and sparkling blue eyes1 and ,scaife and ,egerton were also in the ,lower ,remove4 ,after this1 ,john sat in a blissful dream1 hardly conscious of his surroundings1 seeing his mother's face1 hearing her sigh of pleasure when she learned that already her son was halfway up the school4 99 99 99 99 99 ,you may be sure those first forty-eight hours were brim-full of excitements4 ,first1 ,john bought his books1 stout leather-tipped1 leather-backed volumes1 on which his name will be duly stamped on fly-leaf and across the edges of the pages4 ,and he bought also1 from ,judy ,stephens1#d a squash racquet1 squash balls1 and a yard ball4 ,from the school ,custos--,titchy--a noble supply of stationery was procured4 ,moreover1 young ,kinloch announced that his mother had given him three pounds to spend upon the decoration of ,no4 #ae1 so ,scaife declared his intention of spending a similar sum1 and in consequence ,no4 #ae became a gorgeous apartment1 the cynosure of every eye that passed4 ,the characters of the three boys were revealed plainly enough by their simple furnishings4 ,scaife bought sporting prints1 a couple of ,detaille's lithographs1 and an easy-chair1 known to dwellers upon the ,hill as a frowst2 ,kinloch hung upon his side of the wall four pretty reproductions of ,french engravings1 and with the help of three yards of velveteen and some cheap lace he made a very passable imitation of the mantel-cover in his mother's ,london boudoir2 ,john scorned velveteen1 lace1 frowsts1 and ,french engravings4 ,he put his money into a pair of red curtains1 and one excellent photogravure of ,landseer's ,children of the ,mist4 ,having a few shillings to spare1 he bought half a dozen ferns1 which were placed in a box by the window1 and watered so diligently that they died prematurely4 ,secondly1 ,john played in a house-game at football1 and learned the difference between a scrimmage at a small preparatory school and the genuine thing at ,harrow4 ,lawrence insisted that all new boys should play1 and the ,caterpillar informed him that he would have to learn the rules of ,harrow footer by heart1 and pass a stiff examination in them before the ,house ,eleven1 with the penalty of being forced to sing them in ,hall if he failed to satisfy his examiners4 ,the ,duffer lent him a ,house-shirt of green and white stripes1 and a pair of white duck shorts1 and with what pride ,john put them on1 thinking of the far distant day when he would wear a fez#e instead of the commonplace house-cap6 ,lawrence said a few words4 ,you'll have to play the compulsory games1 ,verney1 which begin after the ,goose ,match1#f but ,i want to see you playing as hard as ever you can in the house-games4 ,you'll be knocked about a bit2 but a ,verney won't mind that--eh8 ,rather not1 said ,john1 feeling very valiant4 ,thirdly1 there was the first ,sunday1 and the first sermon of the ,head ,master1 with its plain teaching about the opportunities and perils of ,public ,school life4 ,john found himself mightily affected by the singing1 and the absence of shrill treble voices4 ,the booming basses and baritones of the big fellows made him shiver with a curious bitter-sweet sensation never experienced before4 ,lastly1 the pleasant discovery that his ,form treated him with courtesy and kindness4 ,desmond1 in particular1 welcomed him quite warmly4 ,and then and there ,john's heart was filled with a wild and unreasonable yearning for this boy's friendship4 ,but ,desmond--he was called ,caesar1 because his ,christian names were ,henry ,julius--seemed to be very popular1 a bright particular star1 far beyond ,john's reach although for ever in his sight4 ,caesar never offered to walk with him3 and he refused ,john's timid invitation to have food at the ,tudor ,creameries4#g ,was it possible that a boy about to enter ,damer's would not be seen walking and talking with a fellow out of ,dirty ,dick's8 ,this possibility festered1 till one morning ,john saw his idol walking up and down the ,school ,yard with ,scaife4 ,that evening he said to ,scaife-- ,do you like ,desmond8 ,yes1 ,scaife replied decisively4 ,i like him better than any fellow at ,harrow4 ,you know that his father is ,charles ,desmond--the ,cabinet ,minister and a ,governor of the school8 ,i didn't know it4 ,i suppose ,caesar ,desmond likes you--awfully4 ,do you8 ,i doubt it4 ,no more was said4 ,john told himself that ,caesar--he liked to think of ,desmond as ,caesar--could pick and choose a pal out of at least three hundred boys1 half the school4 ,how extremely unlikely that he1 ,john1 would be chosen6 ,but every night he lay awake for half an hour longer than he ought to have done1 wondering how1 by hook or crook1 he could do a service to ,caesar which must challenge interest and provoke1 ultimately1 friendship4 ,meantime1 he was slowly initiated by the ,caterpillar into ,harrow ways and customs4 ,fagging1 which began after the first fortnight1 he found a not unpleasant duty4 ,after first and fourth schools the other fags and he would stand not far from the pantry1 and yell out ,breakfast1 or ,tea1 as it might be1 for ,number ,so-and-,so4 ,perhaps one had to nip up to the ,creameries to get a slice of salmon1 or cutlets1 or sausages4 ,fagging at ,harrow--which varies slightly in different houses--is hard or easy according to the taste and fancy of the fag's master4 ,some of the ,sixth ,form at the ,manor made their fags unlace their dirty football boots4 ,kinloch1 who since he left the nursery had been waited upon by powdered footmen six feet high1 now found1 to his disgust1 that he had to varnish ,trieve's patent-leathers for ,sunday4 ,trieve was second in command1 and had been known as ,miss ,trieve4 ,john would have gladly done this and more for ,lawrence1 his fag-master2 but ,lawrence1 a manly youth1 scorned sybaritic services4 ,the ,caterpillar taught ,john to carry his umbrella unfolded1 to wear his straw straight 7a slight list to port was allowed to ,bloods only71 not to walk in the middle of the road1 and so forth4 ,how he used to envy the members of the ,elevens as they rolled arm-in-arm down the ,high ,street6 ,how often he wondered if the day would ever dawn when ,caesar and he1 outwardly and inwardly linked together1 would stroll up and down the middle-walk below the ,chapel ,terrace3 that sunny walk1 whence1 on a fair day1 you can see the insatiable monster1 ,london1 filling the horizon and stretching red1 reeking hands into the sweet country--the middle-walk1 from which all but ,bloods were rigidly excluded4 ,much to his annoyance--an annoyance1 be it said1 which he managed to hide--,john seemed to attract young ,kinloch almost as magnetically as he himself was attracted to ,caesar4 ,john had not the heart to shake off the frail1 delicate child1 who was christened ,fluff after his first appearance in public4 ,fluff had taken the ,first ,fourth and ingenuously confessed to any one who cared to listen that he ought to have gone to ,eton4 ,a beast of a doctor prescribed the ,hill4 ,and even the almighty duke failed to get him into ,damer's1 another grievance4 ,he had been entered since birth at the crack house at ,eton2 and now to be pitchforked into ,dirty ,dick's at ,harrow----6 ,the ,duffer kicked him1 feeling an unspeakable cad when poor ,fluff burst into tears4 ,sorry1 said the ,duffer4 ,only you mustn't slang ,harrow4 ,and you'd better get it into your silly head that it's the best school in this or any other world--isn't it1 ,demon8 ,i'm sure the ,verneys1 and the ,egertons1 and the ,duffs have always thought so4 ,but it isn't really1 whimpered poor ,fluff4 ,you fellows know that everybody talks of ,eton and ,harrow4 ,who ever heard of ,harrow and ,eton8 ,people say--,i've heard my eldest brother1 ,strathpeffer1 say it again and again--',eton and ,harrow1' just as they say ',gentlemen and ,players4' ,oh1 said the ,caterpillar4 ,the ,etonians are the gentlemen--eh8 ,well1 ,fluff1 after their performance at ,lord's last year1 you couldn't expect us to admit that they're--players4 ,the ,duffer chuckled4 ,i say1 ,caterpillar1 that was a good 'un4 ,not mine1 said the ,caterpillar1 solemnly2 my governor's1 you know4 ,the ,duffer continued3 ,now1 ,fluff1 ,i won't touch your body1 because you might tumble to pieces1 but if ,i hear you slanging the school or our house1 ,i'll pull out handfuls of fluff4 ,d'ye hear8 ,yes1 said ,fluff1 meekly4 ,say ',floreat ,herga' on your bended knees6 ,fluff obeyed4 ,and remember1 said the ,duffer1 impressively1 that we've had a king here1 haven't we1 ,caterpillar8 ,yes1 said the ,caterpillar4 ,i never believed it1 said ,scaife4 ,he was a ,spaniard1#h or an ,italian1 you know1 the ,duffer explained4 ,the duke of something or t'other2 and an ambassador came down and offered the beggar the ,spanish crown1 when he was in the ,first ,fourth1 and of course he gobbled it--who wouldn't8 ,and then ,victor ,emmanuel interfered4 ,that's all true1 you can take your ,bible oath1 because my governor told me so1 and he--well1 he's a parson4 ,then it must be true1 said ,scaife4 ,now1 young ,fluff1 don't forget that ,harrow is a school fit for a king and nearer to ,heaven than ,eton by at least six hundred feet4 ,so saying1 the ,demon marched out of the room1 followed by ,fluff1 slightly limping4 ,sorry ,i turfed#i that little ass so hard1 said the ,duffer to ,john4 ,i say1 ,verney1 the ,demon is rather a rum 'un1 ain't he8 ,sometimes ,i can't quite make him out4 ,he's frightfully clever and all that1 but ,i had a sort of beastly feeling just now that he didn't--eh8--quite mean what he said4 ,was he laughin' at us1 pullin' our legs--what8 ,john's brain worked slowly1 as he had found out to his cost under a form-master who maintained that it was no use having a fact stored in the head unless it slipped readily out of the mouth4 ,the ,duffer1 who never thought1 because speaking was so much easier1 grew impatient at ,john's silence4 ,well1 you needn't look like an owl1 ,verney4 ,you know that ,scaife's grandfather was a navvy4 ,i don't know1 ,john replied4 ,and ,i don't care1 said the ,duffer4 ,let's go and have some food at the ,creameries4 99 99 99 99 99 ,looking back afterwards1 ,john often wondered whether1 unconsciously1 the ,duffer had sown a grain of mustard-seed destined to grow into a large tree4 ,or1 had the intuition that ,scaife was other than what he seemed furnished the fertile soil into which the seed fell8 ,in any case1 from the end of this first week began to increase the suspicion1 which eventually became conviction1 that the ,demon1 keen at games1 popular in his house1 clever at work--clever1 indeed6 inasmuch as he never achieved more or less than was necessary--generous with his money1 handsome and well-mannered1 blessed1 in fine1 with so many gifts of the gods1 yet lacked a soul4 ,this1 of course1 is putting into words the vague speculations and reasonings of a boy not yet fourteen4 ,if an ,olympian--one of the masters1 for instance1 or the ,head of the ,house--had said1 ,verney1 has the ,demon a soul8 ,john would have answered promptly1 ,ra--ther6 ,he's been awfully decent to ,fluff and me4 ,we'd have had a hot time if it hadn't been for him1 and so forth4444 ,and1 indeed1 to doubt ,scaife's sincerity and goodness seemed at times gross disloyalty1 because he stood1 firm as a rock1 between the two urchins in his room and the turbulent crowd outside4 ,this defence of the weak1 this guarding of green fruit from the maw of ,lower ,school boys1 afforded ,scaife an opportunity of exercising power4 ,he had the instincts of the potter1 inherited1 no doubt2 and he moulded the clay ready to his hand with the delight of a master-workman4 ,nobody else knew what the man of millions had said to his boy when he despatched him to ,harrow2 but the ,demon remembered every word4 ,he had reason to respect and fear his sire4 ,i'm sending you to ,harrow to study1 not books nor games1 but boys1 who will be men when you are a man4 ,and1 above all1 study their weaknesses4 ,look for the flaws4 ,teach yourself to recognize at a glance the liar1 the humbug1 the fool1 the egotist1 and the mule4 ,make friends with as many as are likely to help you in after life1 and don't forget that one enemy may inflict a greater injury than twenty friends can repair4 ,spend money freely2 dress well2 swim with the tide1 not against it4 ,a year at ,harrow confirmed ,scaife's confidence in his father's worldly wisdom4 ,big for his age1 strong1 with his grandsire's muscles1 tough as hickory1 he had become the leader of the ,lower ,school boys at the ,manor4 ,the ,fifth were civil to him1 recognizing1 perhaps1 the expediency of leaving him alone ever since the incident of the cricket stump4 ,the ,sixth found him the quickest of the fags and uncommonly obliging4 ,his house-master signed reports which neither praised nor blamed4 ,to ,dirty ,dick the boy was the son of a man who could write a cheque for a million4 99 99 99 99 99 ,two things worthy of record happened within a month2 the one of lesser importance can be set down first4 ,charles ,desmond1 ,caesar's father1 came down to ,harrow and gave a luncheon at the ,king's ,head4 ,from time immemorial the ,desmonds had been educated on the ,hill4 ,the family had produced some famous soldiers1 a ,lord ,chancellor1 and a ,prime ,minister4 ,in the ,fourth ,form ,room the stranger may read their names carved in oak1 and they are carved also in the hearts of all ardent ,harrovians4 ,mr4 ,desmond1 though a ,cabinet ,minister1 found time to visit ,harrow once at least in each term4 ,he always chose a whole holiday1 and after attending eleven-o'clock ,bill#aj in the ,yard1 would carry off his son and his son's friends4 ,the ,school knew him and loved him4 ,to the thoughtful he stood for the illustrious past1 the epitome of what ,john ,lyon's#aa boys had fought for and accomplished4 ,four sons had he--,harrovians all4 ,of these ,caesar was youngest and last4 ,each had distinguished himself on the ,hill either in work or play1 or in both4 ,charles ,desmond stood upon the step just above the master who was calling ,bill4 ,that's ,caesar's father1 said ,scaife4 ,i'm going to lunch with him4 ,isn't he a topper8 ,john's eyes were popping out of his face4 ,he had never seen any man like this resplendent1 stately personage1 smiling and nodding to the biggest fellows in the school4 ,and my governor says1 ,scaife added1 that he's not a rich man1 nothing much to speak of in the way of income over and above his screw as a ,cabinet ,minister4 ,scaife moved away1 and ,john could hear him say to another boy1 in an easy1 friendly tone1 ,mr4 ,desmond told ,caesar that he wanted to meet me--very civil of him--eh8 ,presently ,john was in line waiting to pass by the steps4 ,verney8 ,here1 sir4 ,he was hurrying by1 with a backward glance at the great man4 ,suddenly ,caesar's father beckoned1 nodding cheerily4 ,john ascended the steps1 to feel the grasp of a strong hand1 to hear a ringing voice4 ,you're ,john ,verney's nephew4 ,just so4 ,i think ,i should have spotted you1 even if ,harry had not told me you were in his form4 ,you must lunch with us4 ,cut along1 now4 ,so ,john was dismissed1 brim-full of happiness1 which almost overflowed when ,caesar met him with an eager-- ,i'm so glad1 ,verney4 ,i say1 the governor's a nailer at picking out the old names1 isn't he8 ,so ,john ate his luncheon in distinguished company1 and felt himself for the first time to be somebody4 ,as the youngest guest present1 to him was accorded the place of honour1 next the most charming host in ,christendom1 who put him at ease in a jiffy4 ,how good the cutlets and the pheasant tasted6 ,and how the talk warmed the cockles of his heart6 ,the brand of the ,crossed ,arrows shone upon all topics4 ,who could expect1 or desire1 aught else6 ,caesar's governor seemed to know what every ,harrovian had done worth the doing4 ,easily1 fluently1 he discoursed of triumphs won at home1 abroad1 in the camp1 on the hustings1 at the bar1 in the pulpit4 ,and his anecdotes1 which illustrated every phase of life1 how pat to the moment they were6 ,one boy complained ruefully of having spent three terms under a form-master who had ragged him4 ,charles ,desmond sympathized-- ,bless my soul1 said he1 don't ,i remember being three terms in the ,third ,fifth when that tartar old ,heriot had it8 ,i dare swear ,i got no more than my deserts4 ,i was an idle vagabond1 but ,heriot made my life such a burden to me that ,i entreated my people to take me away from ,harrow4 ,and then my governor urged me to put my back into the work and get a remove4 ,and ,i did4 ,and would you believe it1 upon the first day of the next term ,i wired to my people1 ',you must take me away4 ,i've got my remove all right--and so has ,heriot4' ,how gaily the speaker led the laugh which followed this recital6 ,and the chaff6 ,was it possible that ,caesar dared to chaff a man who was supposed to have the peace of ,europe in his keeping8 ,and1 by ,jove6 ,caesar could hold his own4 ,so the minutes flew4 ,but ,john noticed1 with surprise1 that the ,demon didn't score4 ,in fact1 ,john and he were the only guests that contributed nothing to the feast save hearty appetites4 ,it was strange that the ,demon1 the wit of his house and form1 never opened his mouth except to fill it with food4 ,he answered1 it is true1 and very modestly1 the questions addressed to him by his host2 but then1 as ,john reflected1 any silly fool in the ,fourth ,form could do that4 ,after luncheon1 the boys were dismissed1 each with a hearty word of encouragement and half a sovereign4 ,john was passing the plate-glass splendours of the ,creameries1 when the ,demon overtook him1 and they walked down the winding ,high ,street together4 ,scaife had never walked with ,john before4 ,that was worth while1 ,scaife said quietly4 ,john could not interpret this speech1 save in its obvious meaning4 ,rather1 he replied4 ,why8 said ,scaife1 very sharply4 ,eh8 ,why was it worth while8 ,john stammered out something about good food and jolly talk4 ,pooh6 said ,scaife1 contemptuously4 ,i thought you had brains1 ,verney4 ,he glanced at him keenly4 ,now1 speak out4 ,what's in that head of yours8 ,you can be cheeky1 if you like4 ,john wondered how ,scaife had divined that he wished to be cheeky4 ,his mentor had said so much to ,fluff and him about the propriety of not putting on lift or side in the presence of an older boy1 that he had choked back a retort which occurred to him4 ,you're thinking1 continued the ,demon1 in his clear voice1 that ,i didn't use my brains just now1 but1 my blooming innocent1 ,i can assure you ,i did4 ,very much so4 ,i played 'possum4 ,put that into your little pipe and smoke it4 ,at four-o'clock ,bill1 ,john noticed ,caesar's absence3 a fact accounted for by the presence of a mail-phaeton1 which1 he knew1 belonged to ,mr4 ,desmond1 drawn up--oddly enough--opposite the ,manor4 ,what a joke to think that ,caesar was drinking tea with ,dirty ,dick6 ,after ,bill1 having nothing better to do1 ,john and ,fluff went for a walk on the ,sudbury road4 ,they had played football before ,bill1 and each had realized his own awkwardness and insignificance4 ,poor ,fluff1 almost reduced to tears1 with a big black bruise upon his white forehead1 confessed that he preferred peaceful games--like croquet1 and intended to apply for a doctor's certificate of exemption4 ,demanding sympathy1 he received a slating4 ,i play nearly as rotten a game as you do1 ,fluff1 ,john said2 but ,scaife expects us to be ,torpids1#ab so we jolly well have to buck up4 ,that bruise over your eye has taken off your painted-doll look4 ,now1 if you're going to blub1 you'd better get behind that hedge4 ,fluff exploded4 ,this is a beastly hole1 he cried4 ,and ,i loathe it4 ,i'm going to write to my father and beg him to take me away4 ,you ought to be at a girls' school4 ,i hate everything and everybody4 ,i thought you were my friend1 the only friend ,i had4 ,john was somewhat mollified4 ,i am your friend1 but not when you talk rot4 ,verney1 look here1 if you'll be decent to me1 ,i will try to stick it out4 ,i wish ,i was like you2 ,i do indeed4 ,i wish ,i was like ,scaife4 ,why1 ,i'd sooner be the ,duffer1 freckles and all1 than myself4 ,john looked down upon the delicately-tinted face1 the small1 regular1 girlish features1 the red1 quivering mouth4 ,suddenly he grasped that this was an appeal from weakness to strength1 and that he1 no older and but a little bigger than ,fluff1 had strength to spare1 strength to shoulder burdens other than his own4 ,all right1 he said stiffly2 don't make such a fuss6 ,you'll have me for a friend1 ,verney8 ,yes2 but ,i ain't going to kiss your forehead to make it well1 you know4 ,may ,i call you ,john1 when we're alone8 ,and ,i wish you'd call me ,esme1 instead of that horrid ',fluff4' ,john pondered deeply4 ,look here1 he said4 ,you can call me ,john1 and ,i'll call you ,esme1 when we're ,torpids4 ,and now1 you'd better cut back to the house4 ,i must think this all out1 and ,i can't think straight when ,i look at you4 ,may ,i call you ,john once8 ,you are the silliest idiot ,i ever met1 bar none4 ,call me ',john1' or ',tom ,fool1' or anything2 but hook it afterwards6 ,yes1 ,john1 ,i will4 ,you're the only boy ,i ever met whom ,i really wanted for a friend4 ,he displayed a radiant face1 turned suddenly1 and ran off4 ,john watched him1 frowning1 because ,fluff was a good little chap1 and yet1 at times1 such a bore6 ,he walked on alone1 chewing the cud of a delightful experience2 trying1 not unsuccessfully1 to recall some of ,mr4 ,desmond's anecdotes4 ,how proud ,caesar was of his father6 ,and the father1 obviously1 was just as proud of his son4 ,what a pair6 ,and if only ,caesar were his friend6 ,by ,jove6 ,it was rather a rum go1 but ,john was as mad keen to call ,caesar friend as poor ,fluff to call ,john friend4 ,serious food for thought1 this4 ,but ,i would never bother him1 said ,john to himself1 as ,fluff has bothered me1 never6 ,hullo1 ,verney6 ,hullo6 said ,john4 ,coincidence had thrust ,caesar out of his thought and on to the narrow path in front of him4 ,i'm not a ghost1 said ,caesar4 ,john hesitated4 ,i was thinking of you1 he confessed2 and then ,i heard your voice and saw you4 ,it gave me a start4 ,i say1 it was good of your governor to ask me4 ,hang my governor6 ,he's the---- ,caesar closed his lips firmly1 as if he feared that terrible adjectives might burst from them4 ,john missed the sparkling smile1 the gay glance of the eyes4 ,what's up8 he demanded4 ,caesar hesitated2 looked at ,john1 read1 perhaps1 the sympathy1 the honest interest1 possibly the affection1 in the grey orbs which met his own so steadily4 ,what's up8 he repeated4 ,why1 ,i'm not going into ,damer's1 after all4 ,oh6 said ,john4 ,my governor has just told me4 ,i came down here to curse and swear4 ,not going into ,damer's8 ,what rot--for you6 ,it is sickening4 ,look here1 ,verney2 ,i feel like telling you about it4 ,i know you won't go bleating all over the shop4 ,no4 ,i said to myself1 ',mum's the word1' but---- ,john's heart beat1 his body glowed1 his grey eyes sparkled4 ,it's like this1 continued ,caesar1 after a slight pause4 ,damer told the governor that two fellows he had expected to leave at the end of this term were staying on4 ,the governor hinted that ,damer added something about straining a point1 and letting me in ahead of three other fellows2 but the governor wouldn't listen to that---- ,jolly decent of him1 said ,john4 ,was it8 ,in my opinion he ought to have thought of me first4 ,all my brothers have been at ,damer's4 ,and he knew ,i'd set my heart on going there4 ,look how civil the fellows are to me4 ,i've been in and out of the house like a tame cat4 ,confound it6 if ,damer did want to strain a point1 why shouldn't he8 ,the governor played his own game1 not mine4 ,what right has he to be so precious unselfish at my expense8 ,i argued with him2 but he can put his foot down4 ,let's cut all that4 ,of course1 ,i don't want to stop in a beastly ,small ,house for ever1 and1 if ,damer's is closed to me1 ,i should like ,brown's1 but ,brown's is full too4 ,and there are other good houses4 ,but where--where do you think ,i am going8 ,reeds8 ,i don't call ,reed's so bad4 ,no2 ,i'm going to ,dirty ,dick's4 ,i'm coming to you4 ,oh1 ,i say4 ,why1 dash it all1 you're grinning4 ,i don't want to be a cad--,dirty ,dick's is your house--but--after ,damer's6 ,o ,lord6 ,the grin faded out of ,john's face4 ,caesar's loss outweighed his own gain4 ,your governor was a ,manorite1 he said slowly4 ,yes1 in its best days2 and he's always had a sneaking liking for it2 but he knows1 he knows1 ,i say1 that now it's rotten1 and yet he sends me there4 ,why8 ,ask another1 said ,john4 ,i asked him another1 and what do you think he said1 in that peculiar voice of his which always dries me up8 ',harry1' said he1 'when you're a little older and a good deal wiser1 you'll be able to answer that question yourself4' ,john's face brightened4 ,a glimmering of the truth shone out of the darkness4 ,he tried to advance nearer to it1 gropingly4 ,i dare say---- ,well1 go on6 ,your governor may feel that we want a fellow like you4 ,john was blushing because he remembered what the ,head of the ,house had said about the ,verneys4 ,desmond glanced at him keenly4 ,he detested flattery laid on too thick4 ,but this was a genuine tribute4 ,for the first time he smiled4 ,thank you1 ,verney1 he said1 more genially4 ,what you say is utter rot2 but it was decent of you to say it1 and ,i'm glad that you and ,i are going to be in the same house4 ,for his life ,john could not help adding1 ,and ,scaife1 you forget ,scaife8 ,jealousy pierced him as ,scaife's name slipped out4 ,yes1 there's the ,demon4 ,i always liked him4 ,and he likes you4 ,does he8 ,good old ,demon6 ,i like to be liked4 ,that's the ,irish in me4 ,i'm half ,irish1 you know4 ,i want fellows to be friendly to me4 ,i'd forgotten ,scaife4 ,that's rum too1 because he's not the sort one forgets1 is he8 ,no1 ,i wonder if ,i could get into the ,demon's room next term8 ,i'm in his room4 ,it's a three-room4 ,a two-room is much jollier4 ,our room is not bad4 ,caesar was hardly listening4 ,john caught a murmur3 ,the old ,demon and ,i would get along capitally4 ,,footnotes3 #d ,the racquet ,professional4 #e ,the cap of honour worn by the ,house ,football ,eleven4 #f ,the ,goose ,match1 the last cricket-match of the year1 played between the ,eleven and ,old ,boys1 on the nearest half-holiday to ,michaelmas ,day4 #g ,a fashionable tuck-shop4 #h ,h4,r4,h4 ,prince ,thomas of ,savoy1 ,duke of ,genoa1 was elected ,king by the ,cortes of ,spain1 ,october #c1 #ahfi1 while he was a boy at ,harrow4 ,the crown was finally declined ,january #a1 #ahgj4 ,the ,prince was nick-named ,king ,tom4 #i ,to turf1 i4e4 to kick4 #aj ,calling over4 #aa ,john ,lyon founded ,harrow ,school1 #aega4 #ab ,boys who have not been more than two years in the school are eligible as ,torpids2 out of each house a ,torpid football ,eleven is chosen4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,kraipale#ac ,life is mostly froth and bubble2 ,two things stand like stone-- ,kindness in another's trouble1 ,courage in your own4 ,some five years afterwards ,john ,verney learned what had passed between ,cabinet ,minister and ,head ,master upon that eventful day which sent ,caesar to curse and swear upon the ,sudbury road4 ,the ,head ,master was not an ,harrovian1 and on that account was the better able to perceive time-honoured abuses4 ,at ,harrow the dominant chord among masters and boys is a harmony of strenuousness and sentiment4 ,inevitably1 the sentiment becomes1 at times1 sentimental2 and then strenuousness pushes it into a corner4 ,when honoured veterans are wearing out1 loyalty1 gratitude for past service1 reluctance to inflict pain1 keep them in positions of responsibility which mentally and physically they are unfit to administer4 ,it is almost as difficult to turn an ,eton or ,harrow master out of his house1 as to turn a parson of the ,church of ,england out of his pulpit4 ,more1 in selecting a house-master as in selecting a parson1 a man's claims to preferment are too often determined by scholarship1 by length of former service1 by interest with authority1 rather than by ability to govern a body of boys made up of widely different parts4 ,a capable form-master may prove an incapable house-master4 ,richard ,rutford1 to give a concrete example1 came to ,harrow knowing nothing about ,public ,schools1 and caring as little for the traditions of the ,hill1 but with the prestige of being a ,senior ,classic4 ,nobody questioned his ability to teach ,greek4 ,in his own line1 and not an inch beyond1 the ,governors were assured that ,rutford was a success4 ,in due time he accepted a ,small ,house1 so small that its autocrat's incapacity as an administrator escaped notice4 ,rutford waited patiently for a big morsel4 ,he wrote a couple of text-books2 he married a wife with money and influence2 he entertained handsomely4 ,it is true he became popular neither with masters nor boys1 but his wine was as sound as his scholarship1 and his wife had a peer for a second cousin4 ,eventually he accepted the ,manor4 ,within a month1 those in authority suspected that a blunder had been made2 within a year they knew it4 ,the house began to go down4 ,leaven lay in the lump1 but not enough to make it rise1 because the baker refused to stir the dough4 ,first and last1 ,rutford disliked boys1 misunderstood them1 insulted them1 ignored those who lacked influential connections1 toadied and pampered the swells4 ,just before ,john ,verney came to ,harrow1 the ,manor was showing unmistakable signs of decay4 ,a new ,head ,master1 recognizing dry-rot1 realizing the necessity of cutting it out1 was confronted with that bristling obstacle--,tradition4 ,he possessed enough moral courage to have told ,rutford to resign1 because in a thousand indescribable ways the man had neglected his duty2 but1 so said the ,tories1 such a step might provoke a public scandal1 and if ,rutford refused to go--what then8 ,nothing definite could be proved against the man4 ,his sins had been of omission4 ,dismayed1 not defeated1 the ,head ,master considered other methods of regenerating the ,manor4 ,very quietly he made his appeal to the ,old ,harrovians1 many of whom were sending their sons and nephews to other houses4 ,he invited co-operation4 ,john ,verney1 the ,rev4 ,septimus ,duff1 ,colonel ,egerton--half a dozen enthusiastic ,manorites--stepped forward4 ,lastly1 for ,charles ,desmond the ,head ,master baited his hook4 ,the reform which we have at heart1 said he1 must come from within and from below4 ,the house wants a ,desmond in it4 ,i was not allowed to wield the axe2 but1 after all1 there are more modern methods of decapitation4 ,and1 believe me1 ,i am not asking any man more than ,i am prepared to do myself4 ,my own nephew goes to the ,manor after next holidays4 ,um6 said ,mr4 ,desmond1 stroking his chin4 ,lawrence1 the ,head of the ,house1 is a tower of strength1 like all the ,lawrences4 ,how did you beguile the ,duke of ,trent8 ,fortune gave me that weapon4 ,the duke--he laughed genially---- ,yes8 ,will turn scales which my heaviest arguments won't budge4 ,a bit of luck6 ,the duke wanted to send his son1 a delicate lad1 to ,harrow1 and ,i did mention to him that ,rutford had a vacancy4 ,o ,ulysses6 ,and ,scaife8 ,how did you handle that large bale of bank-notes8 ,rutford captured ,scaife4 ,handsome boy--his son4 ,lunched with us this morning4 ,well1 well1 you have persuaded me4 ,but what an unpleasant quarter of an hour ,i shall have with ,harry6 99 99 99 99 99 ,as a new boy1 ,john slaved at footer1 and displayed a curious inaptitude for squash racquets4 ,at all games ,caesar and ,scaife were precociously proficient4 ,john's clumsiness annoyed them4 ,often the ,caterpillar joined him and ,fluff1 giving them to understand that this must be regarded as an act of grace and condescension which might be suitably acknowledged at the ,tudor ,creameries4 ,the ,caterpillar mightily impressed the two small boys4 ,he had acquired his nick-name from the very leisurely pace at which he advanced up the school4 ,he wore ,charity tails1 as they were called1 the swallow-tail coat of the ,upper ,school mercifully given to boys of the ,lower ,school who are too tall to wear with decency the short ,eton jacket2 he possessed a trouser-press2 and his bags were perfectly creased and quite spotless4 ,from tip to toe1 at all seasons and in all weathers1 he looked conspicuously spick and span4 ,chaff provoked the solemn retort3 ,one should be well groomed4 ,he spoke impersonally1 considering it bad form to use for first person singular4 ,amongst the small boys he ranked as the ,petronius of the ,lower ,school4 ,one day the ,caterpillar said grandiloquently1 ,you kids will oblige me by not shouting and yelling when you speak to me4 ,i've a bit of a head4 ,what's wrong with it8 said ,fluff4 ,it looks splendid outside1 said ,john1 in his serious voice4 ,the ,caterpillar1 detecting no cheek1 answered gravely-- ,some of us had a wet night of it1 last night4 ,wet8 exclaimed the innocent ,fluff4 ,why1 all the stars were shining4 ,your brothers at ,eton know what a 'wet night' means1 said the ,caterpillar4 ,i was talking with one of the ,fifth1 when a fellow came in with a flask4 ,a gentleman ought to be able to carry a few glasses of wine1 but one is not accustomed to spirits4 ,spirits8 ,whisky1 not prussic acid1 you know4 ,but where do they get the whisky8 demanded ,john4 ,comparing it with my father's old ,scotch1 ,i should say at the grocer's1 replied the ,caterpillar4 ,there's some drinking going on in our house1 and--and other things4 ,one mentions it to you kids as a warning4 ,thanks1 said ,john4 ,not at all2 you're rather decent little beggars4 ,they 7the ,fifth ,form was indicated71 they've let you alone so far1 but you may have trouble next term1 so look out6 ,and if you want advice1 come to me4 ,beneath his absurd pompous manner beat a kindly heart1 and the small boys divined this and were grateful4 ,none the less the word spirits frightened them4 ,next day ,john happened to find himself alone with ,caesar4 ,very nervously he asked the question-- ,i say1 do any of the big fellows at ,damer's drink8 ,drink8 ,drink--what8 ,well1 spirits4 ,caesar snorted an indignant denial4 ,the fellows at ,damer's were above that sort of thing4 ,the house prided itself upon its tone4 ,tone constituted ,damer's glory1 and was the secret of its success4 ,john nodded1 but two days afterwards the ,demon took him by the arm1 twisted it sharply1 and said-- ,what the deuce did you mean by telling ,caesar that the ,manorites drink8 ,oh1 ,scaife--,i didn't4 ,you gave us away4 ,us8 ,john's eyes opened4 ,you don't drink with 'em8 he faltered4 ,don't bother your head about what ,i do1 or don't do4 ,scaife answered roughly2 and because you took the ,lower ,remove don't think for an instant that you are on a par with ,caesar and me1 or even the old ,caterpillar--for you ain't4 ,i know that1 said ,john1 humbly4 ,don't forget it1 or there may be ructions4 ,i shan't forget it4 ,that's right4 ,and1 by the way1 you're getting into the habit of hanging about ,caesar1 which bores him to death4 ,stop it4 ,but to this ,john made no reply4 ,he read dislike in ,scaife's bold eyes1 detected it in his clear1 peremptory voice1 felt it in the cruel twist of the arm4 ,and he had brains enough to know that ,scaife was not the boy to dislike any one without reason4 ,john crawled to the conclusion that ,scaife had become jealous of his increasing intimacy with ,desmond4 ,however1 when the three boys were preparing their ,greek for ,first ,school1 ,scaife seemed his old self1 friendly1 amusing1 and cool as a cucumber4 ,long ago he had initiated ,john into ,manorite methods of work4 ,our object is1 he explained to the new boy1 to get through the 'swat' with as little squandering of valuable time as possible4 ,it doesn't pay to be skewed4 ,we must mug up our 'cons' well enough to scrape along without 'puns' and extra school4 ,the three co-operated4 ,out of forty lines of ,vergil1 ,scaife would be fifteen1 ,john fifteen1 and the ,caterpillar ten2 ten1 because1 as he pointed out1 he had been nearly three years in the school4 ,then each fellow in turn construed his lines for the benefit of the others4 ,a difficult passage was taken by ,scaife to a clever friend in the ,fifth4 ,sometimes ,scaife would be absent twenty minutes1 returning flushed of face1 and slightly excited4 ,john wondered if he had been drinking1 and wondered also what ,caesar would say if he knew4 ,about this time fear possessed his soul that ,caesar would come into the ,manor and be taught by ,scaife to drink4 ,an occasional nightmare took the form of a desperate struggle between himself and ,scaife1 in which ,scaife1 by virtue of superior strength and skill1 had the mastery1 dragging off the beloved ,caesar1 to plunge with him into fathomless pools of ,scotch whisky4 ,somehow in these horrid dreams1 ,caesar played an impressive part4 ,scaife and ,john fought for his body1 while he looked on1 an absurd state of affairs1 never--as ,john reflected in his waking hours--likely to happen in real life4 ,of all boys ,caesar seemed to be the best equipped to fight his own battles1 and to take1 as he would have put it1 jolly good care of himself4 ,after the first of the football house-matches1 ,scaife got his fez from ,lawrence1 the captain of the ,house ,eleven1 and the only member of the ,school ,eleven in ,dirty ,dick's4 ,some of the big fellows in the ,fifth seized this opportunity to celebrate1 as they called it4 ,scaife was popular with the ,fifth because--as ,john discovered later--he cheerfully lent money to some of them and never pressed for repayment4 ,and ,scaife's getting his fez before he was fifteen might be reckoned an achievement4 ,caesar1 in particular1 could talk of nothing else4 ,he predicted that the ,demon would be ,captain of both ,elevens1 school racquet-player1 and bloom into a second ,c4 ,b4 ,fry4 ,john1 upon this eventful evening1 soon became aware of a shindy4 ,it happened that ,rutford was giving a dinner-party1 and extremely unlikely to leave the private side of the house4 ,john heard snatches of song1 howls1 and cheers4 ,ordinarily ,lawrence 7in whose passage the shindy was taking place7 would have stopped this hullabaloo2 but ,lawrence was dining with his house-master1 and ,trieve1 an undersized1 weakly stripling1 lacked the moral courage to interfere4 ,john was getting a con from ,trieve when an unusually piercing howl penetrated the august seclusion4 ,what are they doing8 asked ,trieve1 irritably4 ,john hesitated4 ,it's the ,fifth1 he blurted out4 ,they've got ,scaife in there1 you know4 ,oh1 indeed6 ,scaife is an excuse1 is he1 for this fiendish row8 ,go and tell ,scaife ,i want to see him4 ,john looked rather frightened4 ,he felt like a spaniel about to retrieve a lion4 ,and scurrying along the passage he ran headlong into the ,duffer1 to whom he explained his errand4 ,phew-w-w6 said that young gentleman4 ,i'd sooner it was you than me1 ,verney4 ,they're pretty well ginned-up1 ,i can tell you4 ,john tapped timidly at the door of the room whence the songs and laughter proceeded4 ,then he tapped again1 and again4 ,finally1 summoning his courage1 he rapped hard4 ,instantly there was silence1 and then a furtive rustling of papers1 followed by a constrained ,come in6 ,john entered4 ,most of the boys--there were about six of them--gazed at him in stupefaction4 ,scaife1 very red in the face1 burst into shrill shouts of laughter4 ,somehow the laughter disconcerted ,john4 ,he forgot to deliver his message1 but stood staring at ,scaife1 quaking with a young boy's terror of the unknown4 ,upon the table were some siphons1 syrups1 and the remains of a spread4 ,what the blazes do you want8 said ,lovell1 the owner of the room4 ,i want ,scaife1 said ,john4 ,i mean that ,trieve wants ,scaife4 ,oh1 ,miss ,trieve wants ,master ,scaife1 does she8 ,well1 young 'un1 you tell ,trieve1 with my compliments1 that ,scaife can't come4 ,see8 ,now--hook it6 ,but ,john still stared at ,scaife4 ,the boy's dishevelled appearance1 his wild eyes1 his shrill laughter1 revealed another ,scaife4 ,you'd better come1 ,scaife1 he faltered4 ,not ,i1 said ,scaife4 ,he spoke in a curiously high-pitched voice1 quite unlike his usual cool1 quiet tone4 ,wait a mo'--,i'm not ,trieve's fag4 ,i'm nobody's fag now1 am ,i8 ,he appealed to the crowd4 ,it was an unwritten rule at the ,manor that members of the ,house cricket or football ,elevens were exempt from fagging4 ,but the common law of fagging at ,harrow holds that any lower boy is bound to obey the ,monitors1 provided such obedience is not contrary to the rules of the school4 ,in practice1 however1 no boy is fagged outside his own house1 except for cricket-fagging in the summer term4 ,fag8 ,not you8 ,tell ,miss ,trieve to mind her own business4 ,john departed1 feeling that an older and wiser boy might have tact to cope with this situation4 ,for him1 no course of action presented itself except delivering what amounted to a declaration of war4 ,won't come8 ,is he mad8 ',can't come1' they said4 ,oh1 can't come8 ,has he hurt himself--sprained anything8 ,john was truthful 7more of a habit than some people believe74 ,he told the truth1 just as some boys quibble and prevaricate1 simply and naturally4 ,but now1 he hesitated4 ,if he hinted--a hint would suffice--that ,scaife had hurt himself--and what more likely after the furious bit of playing which had secured his fez8--,trieve1 probably1 would do nothing4 ,john felt in his bones that ,trieve would be glad of an excuse to do--nothing4 ,no2 he hasn't sprained himself4 ,then why don't he come8 ,i--,i---- ,then he burst into excited speech4 ,he looks as if he was a little mad4 ,oh1 ,trieve1 won't you leave him alone8 ,please do6 ,they must stop before prayers1 and then ,lawrence will be here4 ,o unhappy ,john--thou art not a diplomatist6 ,why lug in ,lawrence1 who has inspired mordant jealousy and envy in the heart of his second in command8 ,tell ,scaife to come here at once1 said ,trieve1 eyeing a couple of canes in the corner4 ,and if he should happen to ask what ,i want him for1 say that ,i mean to whop him4 ,john fled4 ,whop him8 ,the ,fifth howled rage and remonstrance4 ,scaife fiercely announced his intention of not taking a whopping from ,trieve4 ,none the less1 the announcement had a sobering effect upon the elder boys4 ,the consequence of a refusal must prove serious4 ,sooner or later ,scaife would be whopped1 probably by ,lawrence1 no ha'penny matter that6 ,you'd better go1 ,demon1 said ,lovell4 ,trieve can't hurt you4 ,i'd speak to the idiot1 only he hates me so poisonously1 just as ,i hate him4 ,i'll go1 said the ,caterpillar4 ,john had not noticed the ,caterpillar before4 ,he stood up1 spick and span1 carefully adjusting his coat1 pulling down his immaculate cuffs4 ,good old ,caterpillar1 said somebody4 ,by ,jove1 he really thinks that ,trieve will listen to--him6 ,any one who has been nearly three years in this house1 said the ,caterpillar1 has the right to tell ,miss ,trieve that she is--er--not behaving like a lady4 ,and he'll tell you you're screwed1 you old fool4 ,i am not screwed1 replied the ,caterpillar1 solemnly4 ,whisky and potass does not agree with everybody2 but ,i am not screwed1 not at all4 ,so speaking he sat down rather suddenly4 ,lovell shrugged his shoulders1 glanced at the ,caterpillar and ,scaife1 and left the room4 ,within two minutes he returned1 chapfallen and frowning4 ,i knew it would be useless4 ,look here1 ,demon1 you must grin and bear it4 ,no1 said ,scaife1 not from ,miss ,trieve4 ,he laughed as before4 ,the ,fifth exchanged glances4 ,then ,scaife said thickly1 ,give me another drink1 ,i want a drink2 so does young ,verney4 ,look at him6 ,john was white about the gills and trembling1 but not for himself4 ,do go1 ,scaife6 he entreated4 ,the ,fifth formed a group2 holding a council of war1 engrossed in trying to find a way out of a wood which of a sudden had turned into a tangled thicket4 ,and so what each would have strenuously prevented came to pass4 ,scaife pulled a bottle from under a sofa-cushion1 and put it to his lips--,john1 standing at the door1 could not see what was taking place4 ,when the bottle was torn from ,scaife's hands1 the mischief had been done4 ,the boy had swallowed a quantity of raw spirit4 ,till now the whisky had been much diluted with mineral water4 ,i'm going to him1 yelled ,scaife1 struggling with his friends4 ,and ,i'm going to take a cricket stump with me4 ,le'me go--le'me go6 ,the ,caterpillar surveyed him with disgust4 ,after a brief struggle ,scaife succumbed1 helpless and senseless4 ,one is reminded sometimes1 said the ,caterpillar1 solemnly1 that the poor ,demon is the son of a ,liverpool merchant1 bred in or about the ,docks4 ,nobody1 however1 paid any attention to ,egerton1 who1 to do him justice1 was the only boy present absolutely unmindful of his own peril4 ,expulsion loomed imminent4 ,the window was flung wide open1 eau de ,cologne liberally applied4 ,scaife lay like a log4 ,and then1 in the middle of the confusion1 ,trieve walked in4 ,scaife has had a sort of fit1 explained an accomplished liar4 ,you know what his temper is1 ,trieve8 ,and when he heard that you meant to 'whop' him1 he went stark1 staring mad4 ,this explanation was so near the truth that ,trieve accepted it1 probably with mental reservations4 ,you had better send for ,mrs4 ,puttick1 he replied coldly4 ,the ,caterpillar was despatched for the matron2 but before that worthy woman panted upstairs1 ,scaife had been carried to his own room1 hastily undressed and put into bed1 where he lay breathing stertorously4 ,the matron1 good1 easy soul1 accepted the boys' story unhesitatingly4 ,a fit1 of course1 poor dear child6 ,mr4 ,rutford must be summoned4 ,with the optimism of youth1 those present began to hope that dust might be thrown into the eyes of ,dirty ,dick4 ,and1 with a little discreet delay1 the ,demon might recover1 when he could be relied upon to play his part with adroitness and ability4 ,accordingly1 the matron was urged to try her ministering hand first1 amid the chaff1 which1 even in emergencies1 slips so easily out of boys' mouths4 ,mrs4 ,puttick1 you're better than any doctor--,scaife is all right1 really4 ,we knew that he was subject to fits--,rather6 ,some one was telling me that one of his aunts died in a fit--,shut up1 you silly fool1 this in a whisper1 emphasized by a kick2 do you want to send her out of this with a hornets' nest tied to her back hair8--,that's a lie1 ,mrs4 ,puttick4 ,he's humbugging you4 ,scaife told me that his fits were nothing4 ,yes2 he had a slight sun-stroke when he was a kid1 you know1 and the least bit of excitement affects him4 ,perhaps ,i'd better fetch a drop of brandy1 said ,mrs4 ,puttick1 staring anxiously at ,scaife4 ,he looks very bad4 ,yes1 please do1 ,mrs4 ,puttick4 ,she bustled away4 ,now we must bring him to1 said the ,fifth ,form4 ,everything was tried1 even to the expedient of flicking ,scaife's body with a wet towel2 but the body lay motionless1 his face horribly red against the white pillow1 his heavy breathing growing more laboured and louder4 ,and despite the perfume of the eau de ,cologne which had drenched pillow and pyjamas1 the smell of whisky spread terror to the crowd4 ,if ,rutford came in1 he would swoop on the truth4 ,we'll souse the brandy all over him1 said the ,caterpillar2 and then no one can guess4 ,how about burnt feathers8 suggested ,lovell4 ,he had seen a fainting housemaid treated with this family restorative4 ,mrs4 ,puttick appeared with the brandy1 which ,lovell administered externally4 ,still1 ,scaife remained unconscious4 ,then a pillow was ripped open1 and enough feathers burned to restore--as the ,caterpillar put it afterwards--a ruined cathedral4 ,the stench filled the passage and brought to ,no4 #ae a chattering crowd of ,lower ,boys4 ,and then the conviction seized everybody that ,scaife was going to die4 ,make way1 make way1 please6 ,it was ,rutford1 who1 followed by ,lawrence1 strode down the passage into ,no4 #ae1 and up to the bed4 ,if you please1 sir1 said ,lovell1 ,scaife has had a fit4 ,it looks like a fit1 said ,rutford1 gravely4 ,i have telephoned for the doctor4 ,you've tried1 he sniffed the air1 all the wrong remedies1 of course4 ,feathers--phaugh6--perfume--brandy6 ,the boy must be propped up and the blood drawn from his head by applying hot water to his feet4 ,the ,fifth exchanged glances4 ,why had this not occurred to them8 ,what a fool ,mrs4 ,puttick was6 ,a rush of blood to the head6 ,rutford liked to hold forth1 and he had been told that he was a capital after-dinner speaker4 ,he had just risen from an excellent dinner2 he was not much alarmed2 and his audience listened with flattering attention4 ,scaife was lifted into a chair2 ice was applied to his head2 his feet were thrust into a tosh filled with steaming water4 ,note the effect1 said ,rutford4 ,already a slight change might be perceived2 the breathing became easier1 the face less red4 ,rutford continued in his best manner3 ,mark the vis medicatrix naturae4 ,nature1 assisted by hot water1 gently accomplishes her task4 ,very simple1 and not one of you had the wit to think of a remedy close at hand1 and so easy to administer4 ,the breathing is becoming normal4 ,in a few minutes ,i predict that we shall have the satisfaction of seeing the poor dear fellow open his eyes1 and he will tell us that he is but little the worse4 ,yes1 yes1 a rush of blood to the head producing cerebral disturbance4 ,he smiled blandly1 receiving the homage of the ,fifth4 ,and now1 ,lovell1 what do you know about this8 ,did this fit take place here8 ,in my room1 sir4 ,in your room--eh8 ,what was ,scaife1 a ,lower ,boy1 doing in your room8 ,lawrence gave him his 'fez' to-day1 sir4 ,lawrence nodded4 ,ah6 ,and ,scaife was excited1 perhaps unduly excited--eh8 ,the ,fifth joined in a chorus of1 ,yes1 sir--,oh1 yes1 sir--awfully excited1 sir--never saw a boy so excited1 sir4 ,that will do4 ,now1 ,lovell1 go on6 ,we had some siphons in our room1 sir4 ,a stroke of genius this--for the siphons were still on the table and the syrups1 and the debris of cakes and meringues4 ,rutford would be sure to examine the scene of the catastrophe2 and the whisky bottle was carefully hidden4 ,we were having a spread1 sir1 and we asked ,scaife to join us4 ,his play to-day made him one of us4 ,the other boys gazed admiringly at ,lovell4 ,what a cool1 knowing hand6 ,yes1 yes1 ,i see nothing objectionable about that4 ,well1 sir--we were rather noisy---- ,go on4 ,to speak the exact truth1 sir1 ,i fear we were very noisy2 and ,trieve1 it seems1 heard us4 ,instead of sending for me1 sir1 he sent ,verney for ,scaife---- ,ah6 ,lovell's hesitation at this point was really worthy of ,coquelin cadet4 ,of course you know1 sir1 that ,scaife's getting his 'fez' releases him from house-fagging4 ,we thought ,trieve had forgotten that1 sir2 and that it would be rather fun--,i'm not excusing myself1 sir--we thought it would be a harmless joke if we persuaded ,scaife not to go4 ,um6 ,we were very foolish1 sir4 ,and then ,trieve sent another message saying that ,scaife was to go to his room at once to be--whopped4 ,to be whopped4 ,um6 ,rather drastic that1 very drastic under the circumstances4 ,so we thought1 sir2 and ,i went to represent the facts to ,trieve---- ,well8 ,i'm not much of a peacemaker1 ,i fear1 sir4 ,trieve refused to listen to me4 ,he insisted upon whopping ,scaife for what he called disobedience and impudence4 ,upon my honour1 sir1 ,i tried1 we all tried1 to persuade ,scaife to take his whopping quietly1 but he seemed to go quite mad4 ,he has a violent temper1 sir---- ,yes1 yes4 ,a very violent temper4 ,he--he---- ,frothed at the mouth1 put in a bystander4 ,i particularly noticed that4 ,really1 really---- ,yes1 said ,lovell1 nodding his head reflectively4 ,he frothed at the mouth1 and then---- ,grew quite black in the face1 interpolated a third boy1 who was determined that ,lovell should not carry off all the honours4 ,i should say--purple1 amended ,lovell4 ,and then he gave---- ,a beastly gurgle---- ,a sort of snort1 and fell flat on his face4 ,i'm not sure that he didn't strike the edge of the table as he fell4 ,he did1 said one of the boys4 ,i saw that4 ,at this moment ,scaife moved in his chair1 drawing all eyes to his face4 ,john1 peering from behind the circle of big boys1 could see the first signs of returning consciousness1 a flicker of the eyelids1 a convulsive tremor of the limbs4 ,rutford bent down4 ,well1 my dear ,scaife1 how are you8 ,we've been a little anxious1 all of us1 but1 ,i ventured to predict1 without cause4 ,tell us1 my poor boy1 how do you feel8 ,scaife opened his eyes4 ,then he groaned dismally4 ,rutford was standing to the right of the chair and foot-bath4 ,the ,fifth were facing ,scaife4 ,he met their anxious1 admonishing glances1 unable to interpret them4 ,lovell senior repeated the house-master's question-- ,how are you1 old chap8 ,but1 in his anxiety to convey a warning1 he came too near1 obscuring ,rutford's massive figure4 ,scaife groaned again1 putting his hand to his head4 ,how am ,i8 he repeated thickly4 ,why1 why1 ,i'm jolly well screwed1 ,lovell2 that's how ,i am6 ,jolly well screwed--hay8 ,ugh6 how screwed ,i am4 ,ugh6 ,the groans fell on a terrifying silence4 ,rutford glanced keenly from face to face4 ,then he said slowly-- ,the wretched boy is--drunk6 ,at the sound of his house-master's voice1 ,scaife relapsed into an insensibility which no one at the moment cared to pronounce counterfeit or genuine4 ,rutford glared at ,lovell4 ,who was in your room1 ,lovell8 ,without waiting for ,lovell to answer1 the other boys1 each in turn1 said1 ,i1 sir1 or ,me1 sir4 ,john came last4 ,anybody else1 ,lovell8 ,a discreet master would not have asked this question1 but ,dirty ,dick was the last man to waive an advantage4 ,now1 the ,caterpillar had quietly left ,no4 #ae1 as soon as ,rutford entered it4 ,not from any cowardly motive1 but--as he put it afterwards--because one makes a point of retiring whenever a rank outsider appears4 ,one ought to be particular about the company one keeps4 ,it says something for the boy's character1 that this statement was accepted by the house as unvarnished truth4 ,lovell glanced at the other ,fifth ,form boys1 as ,rutford repeated the question4 ,anybody else1 ,lovell8 ,be careful how you answer me6 ,nobody else1 said ,lovell4 ,on your honour1 sir8 ,on my honour1 sir4 ,and1 later1 all ,manorites declared that ,lovell had lied like a gentleman4 ,rutford and he stared at each other1 the boy pale1 but self-possessed1 the big1 burly man flushed and ill at ease4 ,you will all go to my study4 ,a word with you1 ,lawrence4 ,the boys filed quietly out4 ,rutford looked at ,john and ,fluff4 ,large1 fat tears were trickling down ,fluff's cheeks4 ,somehow he felt convinced that ,john was involved in a frightful row4 ,run away1 ,kinloch1 said his house-master4 ,i wish to speak with ,lawrence and ,verney4 ,he turned to ,lawrence as he spoke4 ,john glanced at ,scaife4 ,his eyes were open4 ,silently1 ,scaife placed a trembling finger upon his lips4 ,the action1 the expression in the eyes1 were unmistakable4 ,john understood1 as plainly as if ,scaife had spoken1 that silence1 where expulsion impended1 was not only expedient but imperative4 ,kinloch crept out of the room4 ,rutford examined ,scaife1 who feigned insensibility4 ,then he addressed ,lawrence4 ,go to ,lovell's room1 ,lawrence1 and institute a thorough search4 ,if you find wine or spirits1 let me know at once4 ,lawrence left the room4 ,now1 ,verney1 ,i am going to ask you a few questions4 ,he assumed his rasping1 truculent tone4 ,and don't you dare to tell me lies1 sir6 ,john was about to repudiate warmly his house-master's brutal injunction1 when the habit of thinking before he spoke closed his half-opened lips4 ,immediately1 his face assumed the obstinate1 expressionless look which made those who searched no deeper than the surface pronounce him a dull boy4 ,rutford1 for instance1 interpreted this stolidity as unintelligence and lack of perception4 ,john1 meantime1 was struggling with a thought which shaped itself slowly into a plan of action4 ,he had just heard ,lovell lie to save the ,caterpillar4 ,john knew well enough that he might be called upon to lie also1 to save not himself1 but ,scaife4 ,if he held his tongue and refused to answer questions1 ,rutford would assume1 and with reason1 that ,scaife had been made drunk by the ,fifth ,form fellows4 ,then ,john said quietly1 ,i am not a liar1 sir4 ,certainly1 ,i have never detected you in a lie1 said ,rutford4 ,all the same1 continued ,john1 in a hesitating manner1 ,i would lie1 if ,i thought a lie might save a friend's life4 ,rutford was so unprepared for this deliberate statement1 that he could only reply-- ,oh1 you would1 would you8 ,yes1 said ,john2 then he added1 ,any decent boy or man would4 ,oh6 ,oh1 indeed6 ,this is very interesting4 ,go on1 ,verney4 ,scaife said he felt as if he was jolly well screwed1 sir2 but he isn't4 ,i'm quite sure he isn't4 ,he may feel like it2 but he isn't4 ,john could see ,scaife's eyes1 slightly blood-shot1 but sparkling with a sort of diabolical sobriety4 ,at that moment1 one thing alone seemed certain1 ,scaife had regained full possession of his faculties4 ,rutford stared at ,john1 frowning4 ,you dare to look me in the face and tell me that ,scaife is not drunk8 ,very seriously1 ,john answered1 ,i'm sure he's not drunk1 sir4 ,rutford eyed the boy keenly4 ,have you ever seen anybody drunk8 he demanded4 ,i live in the ,new ,forest1 said ,john1 as gravely as before1 and on ,whit-,monday---- ,he was aware that he had made an impression upon this big1 truculent man4 ,don't try to be funny with me1 ,verney4 ,on no1 sir1 as if ,i should dare6 ,well1 well1 we are wasting time4 ,trieve sent you to ,lovell's room to fetch ,scaife8 ,yes1 sir4 ,and what was ,scaife doing when you went into the room8 ,be very careful6 ,john considered4 ,he was laughing1 sir4 ,laughing1 was he8 ,but he stopped laughing when ,i gave him ,trieve's message1 and then he said what ,lovell told you1 sir4 ,never mind what ,lovell told me4 ,give me your version of the story4 ,scaife asked the other fellows if ,trieve had any right to fag him1 now that he had got his 'fez4' ,if he had been drunk1 sir1 he wouldn't have thought of that1 would he8 ,um1 said ,rutford1 slightly shaken4 ,john described his return to ,trieve's room1 and ,trieve's threat4 ,lovell and you tell the same story4 ,why1 yes1 sir4 ,john made no deliberate attempt to look simple2 but his face1 to the master studying it1 seemed quite guileless4 ,just then1 ,dumbleton ushered in the doctor4 ,to him ,rutford recited what he knew and what he suspected4 ,he had hardly finished speaking1 when ,scaife opened his eyes for the second time4 ,by a curious coincidence1 the doctor used the words of the house-master4 ,well1 sir1 how do you feel8 ,and then ,scaife answered1 in the same dazed fashion as before-- ,i feel as if ,i was jolly well screwed1 sir4 ,rutford nodded portentously4 ,i feel1 continued ,scaife1 as ,i did once long ago1 when ,i was a kid and got hold of some curacoa at one of my father's parties4 ,just so1 said the doctor4 ,same buzzing in the head1 same beastly feeling1 same--same old--same old--giddiness4 ,he closed his eyes1 and his head fell heavily upon his chest4 ,it looks like concussion1 said the doctor1 doubtfully4 ,you say he fell8 ,he turned to ,john4 ,i was just outside the door1 said ,john4 ,we'll put him into the sick-room1 ,mr4 ,rutford4 ,and in a day or two he'll be himself again4 ,are you sure that what ,i--er--feared--er----8 ,the doctor frowned4 ,the boy has had brandy1 of course4 ,mrs4 ,puttick and ,lovell gave him plenty of that1 ,john interpolated4 ,i believe you can exonerate the boy entirely1 said the doctor4 ,john saw that ,rutford seemed relieved4 ,i have ordered ,lovell's room to be searched4 ,if no wine or spirits are found1 ,i shall be glad to believe that ,i have made a very pardonable mistake4 ,while ,scaife was being removed1 ,lawrence came in with his report4 ,nothing alcoholic had been discovered in ,lovell's room4 ,after prayers1 which were late that night1 ,dirty ,dick made a short speech4 ,i had reason to suspect1 said he1 that a gross breach of the rules of the school had been made to-night by certain boys in this house4 ,it appears ,i was mistaken4 ,no more will be said on the subject by me2 and ,i think that the less said by you1 big and small1 the better4 ,good night4 ,he strode away into the private side4 ,two days later1 ,scaife came back to ,no4 #ae4 ,john wondered why he stared at him so hard upon the first occasion when they happened to be alone4 ,then ,scaife said-- ,well1 young ,verney1 ,i shan't forget that1 if it hadn't been for you1 ,i should have been sacked4 ,and ,i shan't forget either that you're not half such a fool as you look4 ,john exhibited surprise4 ,the way you handled the beast1 continued ,scaife1 was masterly4 ,i heard every word1 though my head was bursting4 ,i shall tell ,lovell that you saved us4 ,oh1 ,lord--didn't ,i give the show away8 ,he never tried to read the perplexity upon the other's face1 but went away laughing4 ,he came back with the ,caterpillar half an hour later1 and the three boys sat down as usual to prepare some ,livy4 ,john was sensible that his companions treated him not only as an equal--a new and agreeable experience--but as a friend4 ,in the course of the first ten minutes ,scaife said to the ,caterpillar-- ,he told ,dick to his face that he would lie to save a pal4 ,and the ,caterpillar replied seriously1 ,good kid1 very good kid4 ,lovell says he's going to give a tea in his honour4 ,no1 he isn't4 ,it's my turn4 ,accordingly1 upon the next half-holiday1 ,scaife gave a tea at the ,creameries4 ,of all the strange things that had happened during the past fortnight1 this to our simple ,john seemed the strangest4 ,he was not conscious of having done or said anything to justify the esteem and consideration in which ,scaife1 the ,caterpillar1 and ,lovell seemed to hold him4 ,you've forgotten ,desmond1 he said to ,scaife1 when the latter mentioned the names of his guests4 ,caesar isn't coming4 ,by the way1 ,verney1 you've not been talking to ,caesar about the row in our house8 ,no1 said ,john4 ,lawrence came round and said that ,i must keep my mouth shut4 ,and naturally you did what you were told to do8 ,the half-mocking tone disappeared in a burst of laughter as ,john answered-- ,yes1 of course4 ,and ,i suppose it never entered your head that ,lawrence would not have been so particular about shutting your mouth without good reason4 ,perhaps1 said ,john1 after a pause1 ,lawrence was in a funk lest1 lest---- ,go on6 ,lest the thing should be exaggerated4 ,exactly4 ,lots of fellows would go about saying that ,i was dead drunk--eh8 ,they might4 ,and that would be coming dangerously near the truth4 ,oh1 ,scaife6 ,then you really were---- ,scaife laughed again4 ,yes1 ,i really was1 my ,moses in the bulrushes6 ,don't look so miserable4 ,i guessed all along that you weren't quite in the know4 ,well1 ,i'm every bit as grateful4 ,you stood up to ,dick like a hero4 ,and my tea is in your honour4 ,oh1 ,scaife--you--you won't do it again8 ,get screwed8 said ,scaife1 gravely4 ,i shall not4 ,it isn't good enough4 ,we've chucked the stuff away4 ,if they'd found it---- ,ah--if6 ,the old ,caterpillar attended to that4 ,he's a downy bird1 ,i can tell you4 ,when ,dick came into our room1 he slipped back to ,lovell's room1 carried off the whisky1 hid it1 washed the glasses1 and then dirtied them with siphon and syrup4 ,the ,caterpillar and you showed great head4 ,we shall drink your healths to-morrow--in tea and chocolate4 ,john wondered what ,scaife had said to the ,fifth4 ,at any rate1 they asked ,john no questions1 and treated him with distinguished courtesy and favour2 but that evening1 when ,john was fagging in ,lawrence's room1 the great man said abruptly-- ,i saw you walking with ,lovell senior this afternoon4 ,john explained4 ,lawrence frowned4 ,oh1 you've been celebrating1 have you8 ,thanksgiving service at the ,creameries4 ,now1 look here1 ,verney1 ,i've met your uncle1 and he asked me to keep an eye on you4 ,because of that ,i made you my fag--you1 a green hand1 when ,i had the pick of the ,house4 ,it was awfully good of you1 said ,john1 warmly4 ,we'll sink that4 ,i'm five years older than you1 and ,i know every blessed--and cursed--he spoke with great emphasis--thing that goes on in this house4 ,i know1 for instance1 that dust was thrown1 and very cleverly thrown1 into ,rutford's eyes1 and you helped to throw it4 ,don't speak6 ,you didn't quite know what you were up to4 ,well1 it's lucky for ,lovell and ,co4 that one innocent kid was mixed up in that affair4 ,but it's been rather unlucky for you4 ,i'd sooner see you kicked about a bit by those fellows than petted4 ,i'm sorry--sorry1 do you hear8--the whole lot were not sacked4 ,and now you can hook it4 ,i've said enough1 perhaps too much1 but ,i believe ,i can trust you4 ,after this ,john showed his gratitude by painstaking attention to fagging4 ,lawrence became aware of faithful service3 that his toast was always done to a turn1 that his daily paper was warmed1 as ,john had seen the butler at home warm the ,times1 that his pens were changed1 his blotting-paper renewed1 and so forth4 ,in ,john's eyes1 ,lawrence occupied a position near the apex of the world's pyramid of great men4 ,,footnotes3 #ac kraipale is translated by ,liddell and ,scott as the result of a debauch4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,torpids ,again we rush across the slush1 ,a pack of breathless faces1 ,and charge and fall1 and see the ball ,fly whizzing through the bases4 ,the remainder of the term slipped away without farther accident or incident4 ,apart from the preparation of work1 ,john saw little of ,scaife or ,egerton4 ,the ,fifth nodded to him in a friendly fashion when he passed them in the street1 and1 greater kindness on their part1 left him alone4 ,possibly1 ,lawrence had said a word to ,lovell4 ,such leisure as ,john enjoyed 7a new boy at ,harrow has not much7 he spent with the devoted ,fluff4 ,desmond and ,scaife walked together on ,sunday afternoons4 ,but the fact that ,desmond seemed to be vanishing out of his horizon made no difference to ,john's ever-increasing affection for him4 ,very humbly1 he worshipped at a distance4 ,on clear1 dry days ,fluff and he would climb to the top of the wall of the squash racquet-courts to see ,scaife and ,desmond play a single4 ,they were extraordinarily well-matched in strength1 activity1 and skill4 ,john noticed1 however1 that the ,demon lost his temper when he lost a game1 whereas ,caesar only laughed4 ,somehow ,john divined that the ,demon was making the effort of his life to secure ,desmond's friendship4 ,and ,caesar had ideals1 standards to which the ,demon pretended to attain4 ,good1 simple ,john made sure that ,caesar would elevate the ,demon to his plane1 that evil would be exorcised by good4 ,only in his dreams did the ,demon have the advantage4 ,just before the end of the term1 ,caesar said to him-- ,after all1 ,i'm jolly glad ,i'm coming into your ,house1 because the old ,demon is such a ripper2 and he and ,i have been talking things over4 ,he's as mad keen as ,i am about games1 and although the ,manorites have not played in a cock-house match at cricket or footer for years1 still there is a chance for us at ,torpids next term4 ,you'll play1 ,verney4 ,you've improved a lot1 so the ,demon says1 and he'll be captain4 ,then there are the sports4 ,if only ,dirty ,dick could be knocked on the head1 the ,manor might jump to the front again4 ,it will1 said ,john4 ,when the ,school reassembled after ,christmas1 ,desmond entered the ,manor1 and found himself with ,scaife in a two-room4 ,a civil note from the man of millions had arranged this4 ,to ,john was given a two-room1 also1 with the ,duffer as stable companion4 ,fluff remained in ,no4 #ae4 ,the ,duffer had got his remove from the ,top ,shell into ,john's form4 ,scaife and ,desmond were elevated into the ,upper ,remove4 ,it followed1 therefore1 that ,scaife and ,desmond prepared work in their own room1 the ,caterpillar joining the ,duffer and ,john4 ,thus it will be seen that1 although ,desmond had become a ,manorite1 he was1 practically speaking1 out of ,john's orbit4 ,the ,caterpillar had now been three years in the school1 and he governed himself accordingly4 ,he put on a barmaid#ad collar and spent much time on the top step of the boys' entrance to the ,manor4 ,no mere two-year-old presumed to occupy this sacred spot4 ,had he dared to do so1 the ,caterpillar would have made things very sultry for him4 ,also1 he informed the ,duffer and ,john that1 by virtue of his position1 he proposed to prepare no work at all4 ,each con was divided into two equal parts3 the ,duffer mugged up one2 ,john the other4 ,then the ,caterpillar would be summoned1 and glean the harvest4 ,the ,duffer had a crib or two1 but the ,caterpillar forbade their use4 ,you kids1 said he1 ought not to use ',bohns4' ,besides1 it's dangerous4 ,the ,caterpillar's deportment and coolness filled ,john and the ,duffer with respect and admiration4 ,the master in charge of the ,lower ,remove happened to be short-sighted4 ,the ,caterpillar took shameful advantage of this4 ,at repetitions1 for instance1 he would read ,horace's odes off a torn-out page concealed in the palm of his hand1 or--if practicable--pin the page on to the master's desk4 ,he had genius for extricating himself 7and others7 out of what boys call tight places4 ,one anecdote1 well known to the ,lower ,school and repeated as proof of the ,caterpillar's masterly methods1 may serve to illustrate the sort of influence ,egerton wielded4 ,when he was in the ,fourth1 his form met in the ,old ,schools in a room not far from that august chamber used by the ,head ,master and ,upper ,sixth4 ,one day1 the master in charge of the form happened to be late4 ,the small boys in the passage celebrated his absence with dance and song4 ,when the belated man arrived1 a monitor awaited him4 ,the ,head ,master presented his compliments to ,mr4 ,a---- and wished to learn the names of the boys who had created such a scandalous disturbance4 ,mr4 ,a---- invited the roysterers to give up their names under penalties of extra school4 ,hateful necessity6 ,silence succeeded4 ,a---- grew irate4 ,the monitor tried to conceal a smile4 ,any boy who was making any noise at all--stand up4 ,the ,caterpillar rose slowly1 long and thin1 spick and span4 ,if you please1 sir1 said he1 ,i was whispering6 ,a----'s sense of humour was tickled4 ,my compliments to the ,head ,master1 said he1 and please tell him that ,i find1 on careful inquiry1 that ,egerton was--whispering4 ,a shout of laughter from ,olympus proclaimed that the message had been delivered4 ,the ,caterpillar had saved the situation4 ,john became a disciple of this accomplished young gentleman and tried to imitate him4 ,for ,egerton represented1 faithfully enough1 traditions to which ,john bowed the knee4 ,upon any point of schoolboy honour his authority ruled supreme4 ,he told the truth among his peers2 he loathed obscenity2 he disliked and condemned bad language4 ,the best men don't swear much1 he would say4 ,it's doosid bad form4 ,i allow myself a 'damn' or two1 nothing more4 ,my great-grandfather1 who was one of the ,regency lot1 was known as ,cursing ,egerton1 but nowadays we leave that sort of thing to bargees4 ,quite unconsciously1 ,john assimilated the ,caterpillar's axioms4 ,we're not sent here at enormous expense to learn only ,latin and ,greek4 ,at ,harrow and ,eton one is licked into shape for the big things3 diplomacy1 politics1 the ,services4 ,one is taught manners1 what8 ,i'm not a marrying sort of man1 but if ,i do have sons ,i shall send 'em here1 even if ,i have to pinch a bit4 ,this was the side of ,egerton which appealed so strongly to ,john4 ,the ,caterpillar was an ,harrovian to the core1 like the ,duffer and ,caesar ,desmond4 ,he deplored the increasing predominance of sons of very rich men4 ,and he anathematized ,harrovian fathers who were persuaded by ,etonian wives to send their sons to the ,plain instead of to the ,hill4 ,that some of the famous ,harrow families1 who owed so much to the ,school1 should forsake it1 seemed to ,egerton the unpardonable sin4 ,during this term1 regretfully must it be recorded that ,john scamped his prep and ragged in form whenever a suitable chance presented itself4 ,the ,duffer and he bribed a ,chaw#ae to throw gravel against the windows of the room where the boys were supposed to be mastering the problems of ,euclid and algebra4 ,the tique#af master had been ,third ,wrangler1 but he couldn't tackle his ,division properly4 ,upon this occasion the chaw created such a disturbance that 7on audacious demand7 leave was granted to the ,duffer and ,john to capture the offender4 ,the young rascals pursued the chaw as far as the ,metropolitan ,station1 and presented that conscientious youth with another sixpence4 ,then it occurred to ,john that it might be expedient to capture some bogus prisoner2 so by means of talk1 sugared with chocolates1 they persuaded a little girl to impersonate the thrower of gravel4 ,the little girl1 carefully coached in her part1 was led to the ,wrangler1 but stage-fright made her burst into tears at the critical moment4 ,somehow or other the truth leaked out2 the ,duffer and ,john were sent up to the ,head ,master and swished4 ,each collected a few twigs of the birch1 carefully preserved to this day4 ,meantime1 the ,torpid house-matches were coming on1 and the ,school agreed1 wonderingly1 that ,dirty ,dick's had a chance of being cock-house4 ,the fact that the ,manor has lost caste brought about this possibility4 ,boys just under fifteen found room at the ,manor when other houses were full4 ,all the ,manorites in the ,shell and ,removes were fellows who had come to ,harrow rather over than under fourteen years of age4 ,and when the list of the ,torpid ,eleven was posted1 didn't ,john's heart boil with pride when he read his own name at the bottom of it8 ,the ,manor won the first and the second of the matches4 ,then came the semi-final1 with ,damer's4 ,when the teams met in the playing-fields the difference in the size of the players was remarked4 ,damer's ,torpids were small boys1 not much bigger than ,john or the ,duffer4 ,but they had behind them that stupendous force which is fashioned out of pride1 esprit de corps1 self-confidence begotten of long-continued success1 and1 strongest of all1 the conviction that every man-,jack would fight till he dropped for the honour and glory of the crack house at ,harrow4 ,not a boy in ,damer's team was ,scaife's equal as a player1 but in ,scaife's strength lay the weakness of the ,manorites4 ,they relied upon one player2 ,damer's pinned faith to eleven4 ,as it happened to be a fine day1 the ,school turned out in force to witness the match4 ,most of the masters were present1 and some ladies4 ,rutford1 however1 had business elsewhere4 ,the ,school commented upon his absence with sly smiles and shrugs of the shoulder4 ,some of the ,manorites were indifferent2 the better sort raged4 ,the ,caterpillar appeared upon the ground in a faultless overcoat1 carrying a large bag of lemons4 ,his straw hat was cocked at a slight angle4 ,one is really uncommonly obliged to ,dirty ,dick for staying away1 he told everybody4 ,speaking personally1 the mere sight of him is very upsetting to me4 ,keen as one feels about this match1 one can't deny that there is not room in a footer field for ,dirty ,dick and a self-respecting person4 ,none the less1 the absence of their house-master had a bad effect upon the ,torpids4 ,damer1 you may be sure1 had come down1 prepared to cheer louder than any boy in his house2 ,damer1 it was whispered1 had been known to shed tears when his house suffered defeat2 ,damer1 in fine1 inspired ardours--a passion of endeavour4 ,scaife won the toss and kicked off4 ,for the first five minutes nothing of interest happened4 ,damer's played collectively2 the ,manorites rather waited upon the individual4 ,when ,scaife's chance came1 so it was predicted1 he would go through the ,damer's centre as irresistibly as a ,russian battleship cuts through a fleet of fishing-smacks4 ,rutford being absent1 ,dumbleton1 the butler1 stood well to the fore4 ,he never missed a house-match1 and no one could guess1 looking at his wooden countenance1 how the game was going2 for he accepted either defeat or victory with a dignified self-restraint4 ,a smart bit of work provoked a bland1 ,well played1 sir1 very well played1 sir6 uttered in the same respectful tone in which he requested ,lovell1 let us say1 to go to ,mr4 ,rutford's study after prayers4 ,the fags believed that ,dumber1 who had begun his career as boot-boy at the ,manor in the glorious days of old1 had given notice to leave when he learned that ,dirty ,dick was about to assume command2 but had been prevailed upon to stay by the promise of an enormous salary4 ,nothing disturbed his equanimity4 ,on the previous ,saturday evening1 ,john had heated the wrong end of the poker in ,no4 #ae1 knowing that ,dumber's duty constrained him to march round the ,house after lights out1 to rake out any fires that might be still burning4 ,snug under his counterpane1 the practical joker awaited1 chuckling1 a choleric word from the impassive and impeccable butler4 ,how did ,dumber divine that the poker was unduly hot and black with soot underneath8 ,who can answer that question8 ,the fact remains that he seized ,john's best ,sunday trousers which were laid out on a chair1 and holding the poker with these1 accomplished his task without remark or smile4 ,the trousers had to be sent to the tailor's to be cleaned4 ,not far from ,dumber stood a group of small boys1 including the unhappy ,fluff--unhappy because he was not playing1 despite arduous training 7entirely to please ,john7 and systematic coaching4 ,his failure meant further separation from ,john1 whom1 it will be remembered1 he would have been allowed to call by his ,christian name1 had he been included amongst the ,torpids4 ,of late1 ,fluff had not seen much of ,john1 and in his dark hours he allowed his thoughts to linger1 not unpleasantly sometimes1 upon premature death and ,john's subsequent remorse4 ,meantime1 ,scaife and ,desmond were playing a furious game which must have proved successful had it not been for the admirable steadiness of the enemy4 ,lawrence watched their efforts with compressed lips and frowning brows4 ,he knew--who better8--that his cracks were tearing themselves to tatters2 but his protests were drowned by the shrill cheers of the fags4 ,rutfords--,rutfor-r-r-r-r-ds6 ,go it1 old ,demon6--,jolly well played1 ,caesar6--,sky him6#ag--,well skied1 sir6--,ah-h-h-h6 ,well given--well taken6 ,the last1 long-drawn-out exclamation proclaimed that ,yards#ah had been given to ,scaife right in front of ,damer's base4 ,damer's retreated2 ,scaife1 with heaving chest1 balanced the big ball between the tips of his fingers4 ,oh-h-h-h-h6 ,scaife had missed an easy shot4 ,lawrence could see that the boy was trembling with disappointment and mortification4 ,barbed arrows from ,damer's small boys pierced ,manorite hearts4 ,jolly well boshed1 ,scaife6--,good1 kind1 old ,demon6--,thank you1 ,scaife6-- and like derisive approbation rolled from lip to lip4 ,the ,caterpillar turned to ,lovell4 ,showing temper1 ain't he8 ,yes1 said ,lovell4 ,clever chap1 said the ,caterpillar1 reflectively2 but one is reminded that a stream can't rise higher than its source4 ,not mine that--the governor's6 ,caesar is facing the chaff with a grin4 ,the game began again4 ,but soon it became evident that ,scaife had lost1 not only his temper1 but his head4 ,he rushed here and there with so little judgment that the odds amongst the sporting fellows went to six to four against the ,manor4 ,at the beginning of the game they were six to four the other way4 ,and1 inevitably1 ,scaife's wild and furious efforts unbalanced ,desmond's play4 ,both boys were out of their proper places to the confusion of the rest of the team4 ,within half an hour ,damer's had scored two bases to nothing4 ,the ,caterpillar distributed halves of lemons4 ,lawrence went up to ,scaife4 ,the captain of the ,torpids was standing apart1 not far from ,desmond1 who was sucking a lemon with a puzzled expression4 ,gallant1 sweet-tempered1 and always hopeful1 ,caesar could not understand his friend's passion of rage and resentment4 ,with the tact of his race1 however1 he held aloof1 smiling feebly1 because he had sworn to himself not to frown4 ,had he looked to his right1 he would have seen ,john1 also sucking a lemon1 but understudying his idol's nonchalant attitude and smile4 ,john was sensible of an overpowering desire to fling himself upon the ground and howl4 ,instead he sucked his lemon1 stared at ,desmond1 and smiled--valiantly4 ,scaife1 said ,lawrence1 gravely1 you're not playing the game4 ,scaife scowled4 ,i only know ,i've half killed myself1 he muttered4 ,lawrence continued in the same steady voice1 ,yes2 because you missed an easy base which has happened to me and every other player scores of times4 ,come here1 ,desmond4 ,desmond joined them4 ,lawrence's face brightened when he saw hopeful eyes and a gallant smile4 ,you don't despair8 ,we'll knock 'em into smithereens yet4 ,that's the ,harrow spirit1 but temper your determination to win with a little common sense4 ,you've overdone it1 both of you4 ,take my tip3 they'll play up like blazes4 ,defend your own base2 and then1 when they're spent1 trample on 'em4 ,thank you1 said ,desmond4 ,scaife nodded sulkily4 ,none the less he had too great respect for ,lawrence's ability and experience as a captain to disregard his advice4 ,after the kick-off1 ,damer's did play up1 and the ,manor had to defend its base against sustained and fierce attack4 ,again and again a third base was almost kicked1 again and again superior weight prevailed in the scrimmages4 ,within ten minutes ,damer's were gasping and weary4 ,and then1 the ball was forced out of the scrimmage and kicked to the top side1 ,desmond's place in the field4 ,comparatively fresh1 seeing the glorious opportunity1 grasping it1 hugging it1 ,caesar swooped on the ball4 ,he had the heels of any boy on the opposite side4 ,down the field he sped1 faster and faster1 amid the roars of the ,school1 roars which came to his ears like the deep booming of breakers upon a lee shore4 ,to many of those watching him1 the sight of that graceful figure1 that shining1 ardent face1 revealing the promise which youth and beauty always offer to a delighted world1 became an ineffaceable memory4 ,damer turned to the ,head of his house4 ,and ,desmond ought to be one of us1 he groaned4 ,and now ,caesar had passed all forwards4 ,if he keeps his wits a base is certain4 ,the full back alone lies between him and triumph4 ,but this is the moment1 the psychological moment1 when one tiny mistake will prove irrevocable4 ,the ,head of ,damer's whispers as much to ,damer1 who smiles sadly4 ,his father's son will not blunder now1 he replies4 ,nor does he4 ,the mistake--for mistake there must be on one side or t'other--is made by ,damer's back4 ,as the ball rolls halfway between them1 the back hesitates and falters4 ,one base to two--and eighteen minutes to play6 ,the second base was kicked by ,scaife five minutes later4 ,by this time the ,school knew that they were looking on at a cock-house match1 not a semi-final4 ,it was the wealth of ,dives against the widow's mite that the winner of this match would defeat easily either of the two remaining houses4 ,and not a man or boy on the ground could name with any conviction the better eleven4 ,the betting languished at evens4 ,moreover1 both sides were playing canny1 risking nothing1 nursing their energies for the last furious five minutes4 ,damer began to fidget2 than he dropped out of the front rank of spectators4 ,he couldn't stand still to see his boys win--or lose4 ,he paced up and down behind the fags1 who winked at each other4 ,damer's got the needle1 they whispered4 ,dumbleton1 however1 stood still2 a graven image of ,high ,life below ,stairs4 ,what do you think1 ,dumber8 asked ,fluff4 ,i think1 my lord1 replied ,dumber1 solemnly1 that every minute improves our chance1 but if it goes on much longer1 he added phlegmatically1 ,i shall fall down dead4 ,my 'eart's weak1 my lord4 ,this was an ancient joke delivered by ,dumber as if it were brand-new1 and received by the fags in a like spirit4 ,bless you1 you've got no heart1 ,dumber4 ,it's turned into tummy long ago1 or1 in scathing accents1 ,it's not your heart that's out of whack1 ,dumber1 but your blithering old headpiece4 ,what a pity you can't buy a new one6 and so on and so forth4 ,very soon1 however1 this chaff ceased4 ,excitement began to shake the spectators4 ,they felt it up and down their spinal columns2 it formed itself into lumps in their throats2 it gave one or two cramp in the calves of their legs2 it reddened many cheeks and whitened as many more4 ,the ,caterpillar pulled out his watch4 ,three and a half minutes1 he announced in a voice which fell like the crack of doom upon the silent crowd4 ,if they could have cheered or chaffed6 ,but the absolute equality of the last desperate struggle prevented any demonstration4 ,the ball was worried through a scrimmage1 escaped to the right1 slid out to the left1 only to be returned whence it came4 ,it seemed as if both sides were unable to kick it1 and when kicked it seemed to refuse to move as if weighted by the ever-increasing burden of suspense4444 ,now--now's your chance6 yelled the ,manorites4 ,to their flaming senses the ball appeared to be lying1 a huge blurred sphere1 upon the muddy grass2 and the ,elevens were stupidly staring at it4 ,the ,saints be praised6 ,some fellow can move4 ,who is it8 ,the players1 big and little1 are so daubed with mud from head to foot as to be unrecognizable4 ,ah-h-h6 ,it's young ,verney4 ,good kid6 ,well played--,i say1 well played1 well pla-a-a-a-yed6 ,our ,john has1 it seems1 distinguished himself4 ,he has charged valiantly into the captain of ,damer's at the moment when that illustrious chief is about to kick the ball to a trusted lieutenant on the left4 ,he succeeds in kicking the ball into ,john's face4 ,john goes over backwards2 but the ball falls just in front of the ,duffer4 ,kick it1 ,duffer--kick it1 you old ass6 ,the ,duffer kicks it most accurately1 kicks it well out to the top side4 ,now1 can ,desmond repeat his amazing performance8 ,yes--,no--he can't4 ,the conditions are no longer the same4 ,half a dozen fellows are between him and the ,damer base4 ,alas6 ,the ,manor is about to receive a second object-lesson upon the fatuity of trusting to individuals4 ,confident in ,caesar's ability to take the ball at least within kicking distance of the base1 they have rushed forward1 leaving unguarded their own citadel4 ,caesar1 going too fast1 misjudges the distance between himself and the back4 ,a second later the ball is well on its way to the ,manor's base4 ,the back awaits it1 coolly enough2 knowing that ,damer's forwards are offside4 ,then he kicks the sodden1 slippery ball--hard4 ,an exclamation of horror bursts from the ,manorites4 ,their back has kicked the ball straight into the hands of the ,damerite captain1 the steadiest player on the ground4 ,yards6 ,the chief collects himself for a decisive effort1 and then despatches the ball straight and true for the target4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it passed between the posts within forty-five seconds of time4 ,,footnotes3 #ad ,the barmaid collar is the double collar1 at that time just coming into fashion4 #ae ,chaw1 short for ,chawbacon4 #af ,tique1 ab4 for arithmetic4 ,tique-beaks are mathematical masters4 #ag ,to sky1 i4e4 to charge and overthrow4 #ah ,in the ,harrow game a boy may turn and kick the ball into the hands of one of his own side4 ,the boy who catches it calls ,yards6 and1 the opposite side withdrawing three yards1 the catcher is allowed a free kick4 ,,chapter ,v ,fellowship ,fellowship is ,heaven1 and the lack of it is ,hell4 ,john was squelching through the mud1 wondering whether his nose was broken or not1 when ,lawrence touched his shoulder4 ,never mind1 ,verney1 he said cheerily2 the ,manor will be cock-house at ,torpids next year1 and ,i venture to prophesy that you'll be ,captain4 ,oh1 thanks1 ,lawrence1 said ,john4 ,but1 much as he appreciated this tribute from the great man1 and much as it served to mitigate the pangs of defeat1 a yet happier stroke of fortune was about to befall him4 ,desmond1 who always walked up from the football field with ,scaife1 conferred upon ,john the honour of his company4 ,where's ,scaife8 said ,john4 ,the ,demon is demoniac1 said ,desmond4 ,he's lost his hair1 and he blames me4 ,well1 ,i did my best1 and so did he1 and there's no more to be said4 ,it's a bore that we shall be too old to play next year4 ,i told the ,demon that if we had to be beaten1 ,i would sooner take a licking from ,damer's than any other house2 and he told me that he believed ,i wanted 'em to win4 ,when a fellow's in that sort of blind rage1 ,i call him dotty1 don't you8 ,yes1 said ,john4 ,you played jolly well1 ,verney2 ,i expect ,lawrence told you so4 ,he did say something decent1 ,john replied4 ,the ,caterpillar joined them as they were passing through the stile4 ,we should have won1 he said deliberately1 if the ,demon hadn't behaved like a rank outsider4 ,scaife is my pal1 said ,desmond1 hotly4 ,the ,caterpillar shrugged his shoulders1 and held high his well-cut1 aquiline nose1 as he murmured-- ,one doesn't pretend to be a ,christian1 but as a gentleman one accepts a bit of bad luck without gnashing one's teeth4 ,what8 ,that ,spartan boy with the fox was a well bred 'un1 you can take my word for it4 ,scaife isn't4 ,the ,caterpillar joined another pair of boys before ,desmond could reply4 ,john looked uncomfortable4 ,then ,desmond burst out with ,irish vehemence-- ,egerton is always jawing about breeding4 ,it's rather snobbish4 ,i don't think the worse of ,scaife because his grandfather carried a hod4 ,the ,egertons have been living at ,mount ,egerton ever since they left ,mount ,ararat1 but what have they done8 ,and he ought to make allowances for the old ,demon4 ,he was simply mad keen to win this match1 and he has a temper4 ,you like him1 ,verney1 don't you8 ,john hesitated1 realizing that to speak the truth would offend the one fellow in the school whom he wished to please and conciliate4 ,then he blurted out-- ,no--,i don't4 ,you don't8 ,desmond's frank1 blue eyes1 ,irish eyes1 deeply blue1 with black lashes encircling them1 betrayed amazement and curiosity--so ,john thought--rather than anger4 ,you don't8 he continued4 ,why not8 ,the old ,demon likes you2 he says you got him out of a tight place4 ,why don't you like him1 ,verney8 ,john's mind had to speculate vaguely whether or not ,desmond knew the nature of the tight place--tight was such a very descriptive adjective--out of which he had pulled ,scaife4 ,then he said nervously-- ,i don't like him because--because he likes--you4 ,likes me8 ,what a rum 'un you are1 ,verney6 ,why shouldn't he like me8 ,because1 said ,john1 boldly meeting the emergency with the conviction that he had burnt his ships1 and must advance without fear1 because he's not half good enough for you4 ,desmond burst out laughing2 the clear1 ringing laugh of his father1 which had often allayed an incipient mutiny below the gangway1 and charmed aside the impending disaster of a snatch-division4 ,and it is on one's own side in the ,house of ,commons that good temper tells pre-eminently4 ,not good enough for me6 he repeated4 ,thanks awfully4 ,evidently you have a high opinion of--me4 ,yes1 said ,john4 ,the quiet monosyllable1 so soberly1 so seriously uttered1 challenged ,desmond's attention4 ,he stared for a moment at ,john's face--not an attractive object4 ,blood and mud disfigured it4 ,but the grey eyes met the blue unwaveringly4 ,desmond flushed4 ,you've stuck me on a sort of pedestal4 ,his tone was as serious as ,john's4 ,yes1 said ,john4 ,they were opposite the ,music ,schools4 ,the other ,manorites had run on4 ,for the moment they stood alone1 ten thousand leagues from ,harrow1 alone in those sublimated spaces where soul meets soul unfettered by flesh4 ,afterwards1 not then1 ,john knew that this was so4 ,he met the real ,desmond for the first time1 and ,desmond met the real ,john in a thoroughfare other than that which leads to the ,manor1 other than that which leads to any house built by human hands1 upon the shining highway of ,heaven4 ,shall we try to set down ,desmond's feelings at this crisis8 ,till now1 his life had run gaily through fragrant gardens1 so to speak3 pleasaunces full of flowers1 of sweet-smelling herbs1 of stately trees1 a paradise indeed from which the ugly1 the crude1 the harmful had been rigorously excluded4 ,happy the boy who has such a home as was allotted to ,harry ,desmond6 ,and from it1 ever since he could remember1 he had received tender love1 absolute trust1 the traditions of a great family whose name was part of ,english history1 an exquisite refinement1 and with these1 the gratification of all reasonable desires4 ,and this magnificent upbringing shone out of his radiant face1 the inexpressible charm of youth unspotted--white4 ,scaife's upbringing1 of which you shall know more presently1 had been far different1 and yet he1 the cynic and the unclean1 recognized the ,god in ,harry ,desmond4 ,he had not1 for instance1 told ,desmond of the nature of that tight place2 he had kept a guard over his tongue2 he had interposed his own strong will between his friend and such attention as a boy of ,desmond's attractiveness might provoke from ,lovell senior and the like4 ,it is true that ,scaife was well aware that without these precautions he would have lost his friend2 none the less1 above and beyond this consciousness hovered the higher1 more subtle intuition that the good in ,desmond was something not lightly to be tampered with1 something awe-inspiring2 the more so because1 poor fellow6 he had never encountered it before4 ,desmond stood still1 with his eyes upon ,john's discoloured face4 ,not the least of ,caesar's charms was his lack of self-consciousness4 ,now1 for the first time1 he tried to see himself as ,john saw him--on a pedestal4 ,and so strong was ,john's ideal that in a sense ,desmond did catch a glimpse of himself as ,john saw him4 ,and then followed a rapid comparison1 first between the real and the ideal1 and secondly between himself and ,scaife4 ,his face broke into a smile4 ,why1 ,verney1 he exclaimed1 you mustn't turn me into a sort of ,golden ,calf4 ,and as for ,scaife not being good enough for me1 why1 he's miles ahead of me in everything4 ,he's cleverer1 better at games1 ten thousand times better looking1 and one day he'll be a big power1 and ,i shall always be a poor man4 ,why1 ,i--,i don't mind telling you that ,i used to keep out of ,scaife's way1 although he was always awfully civil to me1 because he has so much and ,i so little4 ,he's not half good enough for you1 repeated ,john1 with the ,verney obstinacy4 ,unwittingly he slightly emphasized the good4 ,good8 ,do you mean 'pi'8 ,he's not that1 thank the ,lord6 ,this made ,john laugh1 and ,desmond joined in4 ,now they were ,harrow boys again1 within measurable distance of the ,yard1 although still in the shadow of the ,spire4 ,the ,demon described as pi tickled their ribs4 ,you must learn to like the ,demon1 ,desmond continued1 as they moved on4 ,then1 as ,john said nothing1 he added quickly1 ,he and ,i have made up our minds not to try for remove this term4 ,you see1 next term is the jolliest term of the year--cricket and ',ducker'#ai and ,lord's4 ,and we shall know the form's swat thoroughly1 and have time to enjoy ourselves4 ,you'll be with us4 ,your remove is a 'cert'--eh8 ,john beamed4 ,he had made certain that ,caesar would be in the ,third ,fifth next term and hopelessly out of reach4 ,oh yes1 ,i shall get my remove4 ,so will the ,caterpillar4 ,hang the ,caterpillar1 said ,desmond4 ,he'd ask for a silken rope1 as ,lord ,ferrers did1 said ,john1 with one of his unexpected touches of humour4 ,again ,desmond bent his head in the gesture ,john knew so well1 and laughed4 ,i say1 ,verney1 you are a joker4 ,well1 the old ,caterpillar's a good sort1 but he's not fair to ,scaife4 ,here we are6 ,they ran upstairs to tosh and change4 ,john found the ,duffer just slipping out of his ducks4 ,he looked at ,john with a rueful grin4 ,are you going to chuck me8 he asked4 ,chuck you8 ,fluff says you've chucked him4 ,he was in here a moment ago to ask if your nose was squashed4 ,i believe the silly little ass thinks you the greatest thing on earth4 ,i don't chuck anybody1 said ,john1 indignantly4 ,and he made a point of asking ,fluff to walk with him on ,sunday4 ,after the ,torpid matches the school settled down to train 7more or less7 for the athletic sports4 ,john came to grief several times at ,kenton brook1 essaying to jump it at places obviously--as the ,duffer pointed out--beyond his stride4 ,the ,duffer and he put their names down for the house-handicaps1 and curtailed their visits to the ,creameries4 ,after this self-denial it is humiliating to record that neither boy succeeded in winning anything4 ,caesar won the house mile handicap2 ,scaife won the under sixteen high jump--a triumph for the ,manor2 and ,fluff1 the despised ,fluff1 actually secured an immense tankard1 which one of the ,sixth offered as a prize because he was quite convinced that his own particular pal would win it4 ,the distance happened to be half a mile4 ,fluff was allowed an enormous start and won in a canter4 ,the term came to an end soon after these achievements1 and ,john spent a week of the holidays at ,white ,ladies1 the ,duke of ,trent's ,shropshire place4 ,here1 for the first time1 he saw that august and solemn personage1 a ,groom of the ,chambers1 with carefully-trimmed whiskers1 a white tie1 a silky voice1 and the appearance of an archdeacon4 ,this visit is recorded because it made a profound impression upon a plastic mind4 ,john had never sat in the seats of the mighty4 ,verney ,boscobel was a delightful old house1 but it might have been put1 stables and all1 into ,white ,ladies1 and never found again4 ,fluff showed ,john the famous ,reynolds and ,gainsborough portraits1 the ,van ,dycks and ,lelys1 the ,romneys and ,richmonds4 ,fair women and brave men smiled or frowned at our hero wherever he turned his wondering eyes4 ,after the first tour of the great galleries1 he turned to his companion4 ,i say1 he whispered solemnly1 some of 'em look as if they didn't like my calling you--,fluff4 ,i wish you'd call me ,esme4 ,all right1 said ,john1 ,i will2 and--er--although you didn't get into the ,torpids1 you can call me--,john4 ,oh1 ,john1 thanks awfully4 ,ponies were provided for the boys to ride1 and they shot rabbits in the ,chase4 ,also1 they appeared at dinner1 a tremendous function1 and were encouraged by some of the younger guests to spar 7verbally1 of course7 with the duke's ,etonian sons4 ,fluff looked so much stronger and happier that his parents1 delighted with their experiment1 were inclined to cry up the ,hill1 much to the exasperation of the dwellers in the ,plain4 ,when he left ,white ,ladies ,john had learned one valuable lesson4 ,his sense of that hackneyed phrase1 noblesse oblige1 the sense which remains nonsense with so many boys 7old and young71 had been quickened4 ,little more than a child in many ways1 he realized1 as a man does1 the true significance of rank and wealth4 ,the ,duke of ,trent had married a pleasure-loving dame2 ,white ,ladies was essentially a pleasure-house1 to which came gladly enough the wit and beauty of the kingdom4 ,and yet the duke1 not clever as compared to his guests1 not even good-looking as compared to the splendid gentlemen whom ,van ,dyck and ,lely had painted1 undistinguished1 in fine1 in everything save rank and wealth1 worked1 early and late1 harder than any labourer upon his vast domain4 ,and when ,john said to ,fluff1 ,i say1 ,esme1 why does the duke work so beastly hard8 ,fluff replied with emphasis1 ,why1 because he has to1 you know4 ,it's no joke to be born a duke1 and ,i'm jolly glad that ,i'm a younger son4 ,father says that he has no amusements1 but plenty of occupation4 ,mother says he's the unpaid land-agent of the ,trent property4 ,john went back to ,verney ,boscobel1 and repeated what ,fluff had said1 as his own4 ,it was simply splendid1 mum1 like a sort of castle in fairyland and all that1 but ,i am glad ,i'm not a duke4 ,and ,i expect that even an earl has a lot of beastly jobs to do which never bother us4 ,oh1 you've found that out1 have you1 ,john8 ,well1 ,i hesitated when the invitation came2 but ,i'm glad now that you went4 ,yes2 and it's ripping to be home again4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the summer term began in glorious sunshine2 and ,john forgot that he owned an umbrella4 ,the ,caterpillar and he had achieved their remove1 but the unhappy ,duffer was left behind alone with the hideous necessity of doing his form's work by himself4 ,the boys occupied the same rooms1 but ,john prepared his ,greek and ,latin with ,scaife1 ,caesar1 and the ,caterpillar2 whom he was now privileged to call by their nick-names4 ,they began to call him ,john1 hearing young ,kinloch do so2 and then one day1 ,scaife1 looking up with his derisive smile1 said-- ,i'm going to call you ,jonathan4 ,good1 said ,desmond4 ,all the same1 we can't call either the ,duffer or ,fluff--,david1 can we8 ,i was not thinking of ,kinloch or ,duff1 said ,scaife1 staring hard at ,john4 ,and ,john alone knew that ,scaife read him like a book1 in which he was contemptuously amused--nothing more4 ,after that1 as if ,scaife's will were law1 the others called ,john--,jonathan4 ,very soon1 the sun was obscured by ever-thickening clouds4 ,john happened to provoke the antipathy of a lout in his form known as ,lubber ,sprott4 ,sprott began to persecute him with a series of petty insults and injuries4 ,he accused him of sucking up to a lord1 of putting on lift because he was the youngest boy in the ,upper ,remove1 of kow-towing to the masters--and so forth4 ,then1 finding these repeated gibes growing stale1 he resorted to meaner methods4 ,he upset ink on ,john's books1 or kicked them from under his arm as he was going up to the ,new ,schools4 ,he put a dringer#bj into the pocket of ,john's bluer4#ba ,he pinched him unmercifully if he found himself next to ,john in form1 knowing that ,john would not betray him4 ,when occasion offered he kicked ,john4 ,in short1 he was successful in taking all the fun and sparkle out of the merrie month of ,may4 ,finally1 ,caesar got an inkling of what was going on4 ,is ,sprott ragging you8 he asked point-blank4 ,ye-es1 said ,john1 blushing4 ,it's n-nothing1 he added nervously4 ,he'll get tired of it1 ,i expect4 ,i saw him kick you1 said ,desmond1 frowning4 ,now1 look here1 ,jonathan1 you kick him2 kick him as hard as ever you can where1 where he kicks you--eh8 ,and do it to-morrow in the ,yard1 at nine ,bill1 when everybody is looking on4 ,you can dodge into the crowd2 but if ,i were you ,i'd kick him at the very moment he gets into line1 and then he can't pursue4 ,and if he does pursue--which ,i'll bet you a bob he don't1 he'll have to tackle you and me4 ,i'll do it1 said ,john4 ,next day1 a whole holiday1 at nine ,bill1 both ,caesar and ,john were standing close to the window of ,custos' den1 waiting for ,lubber ,sprott to appear4 ,while waiting1 an incident occurred which must be duly chronicled inasmuch as it has direct bearing upon this story4 ,only the week before ,rutford had come up to the ,yard late for ,bill1 he being the master whose turn it was to call over4 ,such tardiness1 which happens seldom1 is reckoned as an unpardonable sin by ,harrow boys4 ,briefly it means that six hundred suffer from the unpunctuality of one4 ,therefore1 when ,rutford appeared1 slightly flushed of countenance and visibly annoyed1 the ,school emphasized their displeasure by derisive cheers4 ,rutford1 ever tactless where boys were concerned1 was unwise enough to make a speech from the steps condemning1 in his usual bombastic style1 a demonstration which he ought to have known he was quite powerless to punish or to prevent4 ,when he had finished1 the ,school cheered more derisively than before4 ,after ,bill1 he left the ,yard1 purple with rage and humiliation4 ,upon this particular morning1 one of the younger masters1 ,basil ,warde1 was calling ,bill4 ,the ,school knew little of ,warde1 save that he was an ,old ,harrovian in charge of a ,small ,house1 and that his form reported him--queer4 ,he had instituted a queer system of punishments1 he made queer remarks1 he looked queer3 in fine1 he was generally regarded as a radical1 and therefore a person to be watched with suspicion by boys who1 as a body1 are intensely conservative4 ,he was of a clear red complexion with lapis-lazuli blue eyes1 that peculiar blue which is the colour of the sea on a bright1 stormy day4 ,the ,upper ,school knew that1 as a member of the ,alpine ,club1 ,warde had conquered half a dozen hitherto unconquerable peaks4 ,into the ,yard and into this book ,warde comes late4 ,as he hurried to his place1 the ,school greeted him as they had greeted ,rutford only the week before4 ,if anything1 the demonstration was slightly more hostile4 ,that ,bill should be delayed twice within ten days was unheard-of and outrageous4 ,when the hoots and cheers subsided1 ,warde held up his hand4 ,he smiled1 and his chin stuck out1 and his nose stuck up at an angle familiar to those who had scaled peaks in his company4 ,in silence1 the ,school awaited what he had to say1 hoping that he might slate them1 which would afford an excuse for more ragging4 ,warde1 guessing1 perhaps1 the wish of the crowd1 smiled more genially than before4 ,then1 in a loud1 clear voice1 he said-- ,i beg pardon for being late4 ,and ,i thank you for cheering me4 ,i haven't been cheered in the ,yard since the afternoon when ,i got my ,flannels4 ,a deafening roar of applause broke from the boys4 ,warde might be queer1 but he was a good sort1 a gentleman1 and1 henceforward1 popular with ,harrovians4 ,he began to call over as ,lubber ,sprott neared the place where ,desmond and ,john awaited him4 ,the ,lubber took up his position near the boys1 turning a broad back to them4 ,he stood with his hands in his pockets1 talking to another boy as big and stupid as himself4 ,the ,lubber1 it may be added1 ought to have worn ,charity tails1 but he had not applied for permission to do so4 ,he was fat and gross rather than tall1 and certainly too large for his clothes4 ,now1 said ,caesar4 ,john measured the distance with his eye1 as ,caesar thoughtfully nudged other members of the ,upper ,remove4 ,john had room for a very short run4 ,the ,lubber was swaying backwards and forwards4 ,john timed his kick1 which for a small boy he delivered with surprising force1 so accurately that the ,lubber fell on his face4 ,the boys looking on screamed with laughter4 ,the ,lubber1 picking himself up 7,john dodged into the crowd1 who received him joyfully7 and glaring round1 encountered the contemptuous face of ,desmond4 ,let me have a shot1 said ,caesar4 ,the ,lubber advanced1 spluttering with rage4 ,where is he--where is he1 that infernal young ,verney8 ,by this time fifty boys at least were interested spectators of the scene4 ,desmond stood square in the ,lubber's path4 ,you like to kick small boys1 said ,caesar1 in a very loud voice4 ,i'm small1 half your size1 why don't you kick me8 ,the ,lubber could have crushed the speaker by mere weight2 but he hesitated1 and the harder he stared at ,desmond the less he fancied the job of kicking him4 ,quality confronted quantity4 ,kick me1 said ,desmond1 if--if you dare1 you big1 hulking coward and cad6 ,come on1 ,lubber1 get into line6 shouted some boy4 ,sprott turned slowly1 glancing over his vast1 fat shoulder to guard against further assault4 ,then he took his place in the line1 and passed slowly out of the ,yard and out of these pages4 ,he never persecuted ,john again4#bb ,not yet1 however1 was the sun to shine in ,john's firmament4 ,as the days lengthened1 as ,june touched all hearts with her magic fingers1 insensibly relaxing the tissues and warming the senses1 ,john became more and more miserably aware that1 in the fight between ,scaife and himself for the possession of ,desmond1 the odds were stupendously against him4 ,truly the ,demon had the subtlety of the serpent1 for he used the failings which he was unable to hide as cords wherewith to bind his friend more closely to him4 ,when the facts1 for instance1 of what had taken place in ,lovell's room came to ,desmond's ears1 he denied fiercely the possibility of ,scaife1 his pal1 making a beast of himself4 ,the laughter which greeted his passionate protest sent him hot-foot to ,scaife himself4 ,they say1 panted ,caesar1 that last winter you were dead drunk in ,lovell's room4 ,i told the beasts they lied4 ,scaife's handsome face softened4 ,was he touched by ,caesar's loyalty8 ,who can tell8 ,always he subordinated emotion to intelligence3 head commanded heart4 ,perhaps they did1 he answered steadily2 and perhaps they didn't4 ,i deny nothing2 ,i admit nothing4 ,but--his fine eyes1 so dark and piercing1 flamed--,caesar1 if ,i was dead drunk at your feet now1 would you turn away from me1 would you chuck me8 ,desmond winced4 ,scaife pursued his advantage4 ,if you are that sort of a fellow--the ,pharisee--,desmond winced again--the saint who is too pure1 too holy1 to associate with a sinner1 say so1 and let us part here--and now4 ,for ,i am a--sinner4 ,you are not a sinner4 ,hold hard6 let me have my say4 ,i've always known that this moment was coming4 ,yes1 ,i am a sinner4 ,and my governor is a sinner1 a hardened sinner4 ,his father made our pile by what you would call robbery4 ,the whole world knows it1 and condones it1 because we are so rich4 ,even my mother---- ,he paused1 trembling1 white to the lips4 ,don't1 said ,desmond4 ,please don't4 ,you're right4 ,i won't4 ,but ,i'm handicapped on both sides4 ,it's only fair that you should know what sort of a fellow you've chosen for a pal4 ,and it's not too late to chuck me4 ,rutford will put ,verney in here1 if ,i ask him4 ,and1 by ,god6 ,i'm in the mood to ask him now4 ,shall ,i go to him1 ,desmond1 or shall ,i stay8 ,he had never raised his voice1 but it fell upon the sensitive soul of the boy facing him as if it were a clarion-call to battle4 ,desmond sprang forward1 ardent1 eager1 afire with generous self-surrender4 ,forgive me1 he cried4 ,oh1 forgive me1 because ,i can't forgive myself6 ,after this breaking of barriers1 ,scaife took less pains to disguise a nature which turned as instinctively to darkness as ,desmond's to light4 ,a score of times protest died when ,scaife murmured1 ,there ,i go again1 forgetting the gulf between us2 and always ,desmond swore stoutly that the gulf1 if a gulf did yawn between them1 should be bridged by friendship and hope4 ,but1 insensibly1 ,caesar's ideals became tainted by ,scaife's materialism4 ,scaife1 for instance1 spent money lavishly upon food and clothes4 ,so far as a ,public ,schoolboy is able1 he never denied his splendid young body anything it coveted4 ,desmond1 too proud to receive favours without returning them1 tried to vie with this reckless spendthrift1 and found himself in debt4 ,in other ways a keen eye and ear would have marked deterioration4 ,john noticed that ,caesar laughed1 although he never sneered1 at things he used to hold sacred2 that he condemned1 as ,scaife did1 whatever that clever young reprobate was pleased to stigmatize as narrow-minded or intolerant4 ,cricket1 however1 kept them fairly straight4 ,each was certain to get his cap1#bc if1 as ,lawrence told them1 they stuck to the rigour of the game4 ,this was ,lawrence's last term4 ,he had stayed on to play at ,lord's1 and when he left ,trieve would become the ,head of the ,house--a prospect very pleasing to the turbulent ,fifth4 ,about the middle of ,june ,john suffered a parlous blow4 ,he was never so happy as when he was sitting in ,scaife's room1 cheek by jowl with ,desmond1 sharing1 perhaps1 a dringer1 poring over the same dictionary4 ,this delightful intimacy came to a sudden end in this wise4 ,the form-master of the ,upper ,remove happened to be a precisian in ,english4 ,a sure road to his favour was the right use of a word4 ,the ,demon1 appreciating this1 bought a dictionary of synonyms1 and made a point of discarding the commonplace and obvious1 substituting a phrase likely to elicit praise and marks4 ,desmond and ,john joined in this hunt of the right word with enthusiasm4 ,one evening the four boys encountered the simple sentence--majoris pretii quam quod aestimari possit4 ',priceless''ll cover that1 said ,caesar4 ,or 'inesteemable1' said the ,demon4 ,the three other boys stared at the ,demon1 and then at each other4 ,the ,caterpillar1 something of a purist in his way1 drawled out-- ,one pronounces that 'inestimable4' ,my father doesn't1 said ,scaife1 hotly4 ,i've heard him say 'inesteemable4' ,no doubt1 said ,egerton1 coldly4 ,how does your father pronounce it1 ,caesar8 ,desmond said hurriedly1 ,oh1 'inestimable'2 but what does it matter8 ,the ,demon sprang up1 furious4 ,it matters this1 he cried4 ,i'm d----d if ,i'll have ,egerton sitting in my room sneering at my governor4 ,after this he'll do his work in his own room1 or ,i'll do mine in the passage4 ,before ,desmond could speak1 ,scaife had whirled out of the room1 slamming the door4 ,john looked stupefied with dismay4 ,the ,caterpillar shrugged his shoulders4 ,then he said slowly-- ,scaife's father pronounces 'connoisseur' 'connoysure1' and so does ,scaife4 ,desmond stood up1 flushed and distressed1 but emphatic4 ,scaife is right about one thing1 he said4 ,he won't sit here like a cad and listen to ,egerton sneering at his father4 ,i'm very sorry1 but after this we'd better split up4 ,verney and you1 ,egerton2 and ,scaife and ,i4 ,certainly1 said the ,caterpillar1 rising in his turn4 ,poor ,john cast a distracted and imploring glance at ,desmond1 which flashed by unheeded4 ,then he got up1 and followed the ,caterpillar out of the room4 ,the passage was empty4 ,the ,caterpillar sniffed as if the atmosphere in ,scaife's room had been polluted4 ,one has nothing to regret1 he remarked4 ,scaife has good points1 and--er--bad4 ,you've noticed his hands--eh6 ,very unfinished6 ,and his foot--short1 but broad4 ,the ,caterpillar surveyed his long1 slender feet with infinite satisfaction2 then he added1 with an accent of finality1 ,scaife talks about going into the ,grenadiers2 but they'll give him a hot time there1 a very hot time4 ,one is really sorry for the poor fellow1 because1 of course1 he can't help being a bounder4 ,what does puzzle me is1 why did ,caesar want such a fellow for his pal8 ,but he didn't1 said ,john4 ,eh8--what8 ,scaife wanted ,caesar1 ,john explained4 ,and ,i've noticed1 ,caterpillar1 that whatever ,scaife wants he gets4 ,he wants breeding1 ,jonathan1 but he'll never get that--never4 ,after this1 ,john saw but little of ,desmond2 and ,scaife hardly spoke to him4 ,accordingly1 much of our hero's time was spent in the company of the ,duffer and ,fluff4 ,the three passed many delightful hours together at ,ducker4 ,armed with buns and chocolate1 they would rush down the hill1 bathe1 lie about on the grass1 eat the buns1 and chaff the kids who were learning to swim4 ,long1 long1 in the misty hereafter ,shall echo1 in ears far away1 ,the lilt of that innocent laughter1 ,the splash of the spray4 ,during the ,school matches they spent the afternoons on the ,sixth ,form ground1 carefully criticizing every stroke4 ,the theory of the game lay pat to the tongue1 but in practice ,john was a shocking bungler4 ,at his small preparatory school in the ,new ,forest1 he had not been taught the elementary principles of either racquets or cricket2 but he had a good eye1 played a capital game of golf1 rode and shot well for a small boy4 ,fluff1 although still delicate1 gave promise of being a cricketer as good1 possibly1 as his brothers1 when he became stronger4 ,upon ,speech ,day ,john's mother and uncle came down to ,harrow1 and you may be sure that ,john escorted them in triumph to the ,manor4 ,mrs4 ,verney has since confessed that ,john's expression as she greeted him surprised and distressed her4 ,he looked quite unhappy4 ,and the dear woman1 thinking that he must be in debt1 seriously considered the propriety of tipping him handsomely in advance4 ,a moment later1 as she slipped out of an old and shabby dust-cloak1 revealing the splendours of a dress fresh from ,paris1 she divined from ,john's now radiant face what had troubled him4 ,john1 she said1 you didn't really think that ,i was going to shame you by wearing this dreadful cloak--did you8 ,i wasn't quite sure1 ,john answered2 then he burst out1 ,mum1 you look simply lovely4 ,all the fellows will take you for my sister4 ,and after the great function in ,speech-room came the cheering4 ,how ,john's heart throbbed when the ,head of the ,school1 standing just outside the door1 proclaimed the illustrious name-- ,three cheers for ,mr4 ,john ,verney4 ,and how the boys in the road below cheered1 as the little man descended the steps1 hat in hand1 bowing and blushing6 ,everybody knew that he was on the eve of departure for further explorations in ,manchuria4 ,he would be absent1 so the papers said1 three years at least4 ,the ,school cheered the louder1 because each boy knew that they might never see that gallant face again4 ,later in the afternoon a selection of ,harrow songs was given in the ,speech-room4 ,five ,hundred ,faces1 as usual1 was sung by a new boy1 who is answered1 in chorus1 by the whole ,school4 ,how ,john recalled his own feelings1 less than a year ago1 as he stood shivering upon the bank of the river1 funking the first plunge6 ,and his uncle1 now sitting beside him1 had said that he would soon enjoy himself amazingly--and so he had6 ,the new boy began the second verse4 ,his voice1 not a strong one1 quavered shrilly-- ,a quarter to seven6 ,there goes the bell6 ,the sleet is driving against the pane2 ,but woe to the sluggard who turns again ,and sleeps1 not wisely1 but all too well6 ,in reply to the weak1 timid notes came the glad roar of the ,school-- ,yet the time may come1 as the years go by1 ,when your heart will thrill ,at the thought of the ,hill1 ,and the pitiless bell1 with its piercing cry6 ,ah1 that pitiless bell6 ,and yet because of it one wallowed in ,sunday and whole-holiday frowsts4#bd ,john1 you see1 had the makings of a philosopher4 ,and now the ,eleven were grunting ,willow the ,king4 ,and when the last echo of the chorus died away in the great room1 ,uncle ,john whispered to his nephew that he had heard ,harrow songs in every corner of the earth1 and that convincing proof of merit shone out of the fact that their charm waxed rather than waned with the years2 they improved1 like wine1 with age4 ,caesar's father came down with the ,duke of ,trent4 ,the duke tipped ,john magnificently and asked him to spend his exeat at ,trent ,house1 and to witness the ,eton and ,harrow match at ,lord's from the ,trent coach4 ,john accepted gratefully enough2 but his heart was sore because1 just before the row over that infernal word inestimable1 ,caesar had asked ,john if he would like to occupy an attic in ,eaton ,square4 ,after the row nothing more was said about the attic2 but ,john would have preferred bare boards in ,eaton ,square to a tapestried chamber in ,park ,lane4 ,now1 during the whole of this summer term there was much animated discussion in regard to the rival claims of lines or spots upon the white waistcoat worn by all self-respecting ,harrovians at ,lord's4 ,upon this important subject ,john had betrayed scandalous indifference4 ,accordingly1 just before the match1 the ,caterpillar took him aside and spoke a solemn word4 ,look here1 he said2 one doesn't as a rule make personal remarks1 but it's rather too obvious that you buy your clothes in ,lyndhurst4 ,i was sorry to see that the ,duke of ,trent was the worst-dressed man at ,speecher2 but a duke can look like a tinker1 and nobody cares4 ,i'd be awfully obliged if you'd tell me what's wrong1 said ,john1 humbly4 ,everything's wrong1 said the ,caterpillar1 decisively4 ,he looked critically at ,john's boots4 ,your boots1 for instance--most excellent boots for wading through the swamps in the ,new ,forest1 but quite impossible in town4 ,and the 'topper' you wear on ,sunday6 ,southampton1 you say8 ,ah1 ,i thought it was a ,verney heirloom4 ,now1 it wouldn't surprise me to hear that your mother1 who dresses herself quite charmingly1 bought your kit4 ,she did1 ,john confessed4 ,just so4 ,one need say no more4 ,now1 you come along with me4 ,they marched down the ,high ,street to the most fashionable of the ,school tailors1 where ,john was measured for an ,eton jacket of the best1 white waistcoat with blue spots1 light bags2 while the ,caterpillar selected a new topper1 an umbrella1 a pair of gloves1 and a tie4 ,be very careful about the bags1 said the ,caterpillar4 ,they are cutting 'em in town a trifle tighter about the lower leg1 but loose above4 ,you understand8 ,perfectly1 ,mr4 ,egerton1 replied the obsequious snip4 ,what we call the 'tighto-looso' style1 sir4 ,i don't think they call it that in ,savile ,row1 said the ,caterpillar2 but be careful4 ,the tailor was assured that he would receive an order properly signed by ,mr4 ,rutford4 ,and then ,john was led to the bootmaker's1 and there measured for his first pair of patent-leathers4 ,the ,caterpillar was so exhausted by these labours that a protracted visit to the ,creameries became imperative4 ,you've always looked like a gentleman1 said the ,caterpillar1 after his dringer1 and it's a comfort to me to think that now you'll be dressed like one4 ,so ,john went up to town looking very smart indeed2 and ,fluff 7who had ordered a similar kit7 whispered to ,john at luncheon that his brothers1 the ,etonians1 had expressed surprise at the change for the better in their general appearance4 ,this luncheon was eaten on the top of the duke's coach1 and it happened that the next coach but one belonged to ,scaife's father4 ,john could just see ,scaife's handsome head1 and ,caesar sitting beside him4 ,the boys nodded to each other1 and the ,etonians asked questions4 ,at the name of ,scaife1 however1 the young ,kinlochs curled contemptuous lips4 ,unspeakable bounder1 old ,scaife1 isn't he8 they asked2 and the duchess replied-- ,my dears1 his cheques are honoured to any amount1 even if he isn't4 ,her laughter tinkled delightfully2 but ,john reflected that ,desmond was eating the ,scaife food and drinking the ,scaife wine--all bought with ill-gotten gold4 ,later in the afternoon it became evident that the ,scaife champagne was flowing freely4 ,to ,john's dismay1 the ,harrovians 7including ,caesar7 on the top of the ,scaife coach became noisy4 ,the ,caterpillar and his father1 ,colonel ,egerton1 sauntered up1 and were invited by the duke to rest and refresh themselves4 ,john was amused to note that the colonel was even a greater buck than his son4 ,he quite cut out the poor old ,caterpillar1 challenging and monopolizing the attention of all who beheld him4 ,those boys are makin' the devil of a row1 said the colonel1 fixing his eyeglass4 ,ah1 the ,scaifes6 ,a man ,i know dined with them last week4 ,he reported everything overdone1 except the food4 ,their chef is ,marcobruno1 you know4 ,presently1 to ,john's relief1 ,desmond left the ,scaifes and joined the ,trent party1 upon whom his gay1 radiant face and charming manners made a most favourable impression4 ,he laughed at the duchess's stories1 and made love to her quite unaffectedly4 ,the ,etonians looked rather glum1 because their wickets were falling faster than had been expected4 ,desmond told the duke1 in answer to a question1 that his father was in his seat in the pavilion1 with his eyes glued to the pitch4 ,he's awfully keen1 said ,caesar4 ,you boys are not so keen as we were1 said the duke1 nodding reflectively4 ,oh1 but we are1 sir--indeed we are1 said ,caesar4 ,aren't we1 ,caterpillar8 ,the ,caterpillar replied1 thoughtfully1 ,one bottles up that sort of thing1 ,i suppose4 ,ah1 said the duke1 kindly1 if it's the right sort of thing1 it's none the worse for being bottled up4 ,the boys went to the play that night and enjoyed themselves hugely4 ,next day1 however1 the match ended in a draw4 ,john was standing on the top of the coach1 very disconsolate1 when he saw ,desmond beckoning to him from below4 ,the expression on ,caesar's face puzzled him4 ,how can you pal up with those ,etonians8 whispered ,caesar1 after ,john had descended4 ,every ,eton face ,i see now ,i want to hit4 ,then he added1 with a smile and a chuckle1 ,i say1 there's going to be a ruction in front of the ,pavvy4 ,come on4 ,a minute later ,john was in the thick of a very pretty scrimmage between the ,hill and the ,plain4 ,hats were bashed in2 cornflowers torn from buttonholes2 pale-blue tassels were captured2 umbrellas broken4 ,finally1 the police interfered4 ,short1 but very1 very sweet1 said ,caesar1 panting4 ,john and he were lamentable objects for fond parents to behold1 but the sense of depression had vanished4 ,and then ,caesar said suddenly-- ,by ,jove6 ,i have got a bit of news4 ,it quite takes the sting out of this draw4 ,what's happened8 ,my governor has been talking with ,warde4 ,rutford is leaving ,harrow4 ,john gasped4 ,that is ripping4 ,isn't it8 ,but who do you think is coming to us8 ,why1 ,warde himself4 ,he was at the ,manor when it was the house1 and the governor says that ,warde will make it the house1 again4 ,he's got his work cut out for him--eh8 ,you bet your life1 said ,john4 ,,footnotes3 #ai ,duck-,puddle1 the school bathing-place4 #bj ,a ,dringer is composed of the following ingredients3 a layer of strawberries is secreted in sugar and cream at the bottom of a clean jam-pot2 and this receives a decent covering of strawberry ice1 which brings the surface of the dringer and the top edge of the jam-pot into the same plane4 ,the whole may be bought for sixpence4 7,p4 ,c4 ,t41 #aije47 #ba ,a ,bluer is the blue-flannel jacket worn in the playing fields4 ,it must be worn buttoned by boys who have been less than three years in the school4 #bb ,small boys are not advised to copy ,john's tactics4 ,the victory is not always to the weak4 #bc ,the house-cap1 only worn by members of the ,house ,cricket ,eleven4 #bd ,lying in bed in the morning when there is no ,first ,school is a frowst4 ,by a subtle law of association1 an armchair is also a frowst4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,a ,revelation ,forty years on1 when afar and asunder ,parted are those who are singing to-day1 ,when you look back1 and forgetfully wonder ,what you were like in your work and your play2 ,then1 it may be1 there will often come o'er you ,glimpses of notes like the catch of a song1-- ,visions of boyhood shall float them before you1 ,echoes of dreamland shall bear them along4 ,before the end of the summer term1 both ,desmond and ,scaife received their caps and a word of advice from ,lawrence4 ,there are going to be changes here1 said he2 and ,i wish ,i could see 'em1 and help to bring 'em about4 ,now1 ,i'm not given to buttering fellows up1 but ,i see plainly that the rebuilding of this house depends a lot upon you two4 ,it's not likely that you're able to measure your influence2 if you could1 there wouldn't be much to measure4 ,but take it from me1 not a word1 not an action of yours is without weight with the lower boys4 ,everything helps or hinders4 ,next term there will be war--to the knife--between ,warde and some fellows ,i needn't name1 and ,warde will win4 ,remember ,i said so4 ,i hope you1 he looked hard at ,desmond1 will fight on the right side4 ,the boys returned to their room1 jubilant because the house-cap was theirs1 but uneasy because of the words given with it4 ,as soon as they were alone1 ,scaife said sullenly-- ,does ,lawrence expect us to stand in with ,warde against ,lovell and his pals8 ,if he does1 he's jolly well mistaken1 as far as ,i'm concerned4 ,desmond flushed4 ,he had spent nearly five terms at ,harrow1 but only two at the ,manor4 ,of what had been done or left undone by certain fellows in the ,fifth he was still in twilight ignorance4 ,he discerned shadows1 nothing more1 and1 boylike1 he ran from shadows into the sunlight4 ,desmond knew that there were beasts at the ,manor4 ,had you forced from him an expression approaching1 let us say1 definiteness1 he would have admitted that beasts lurked in every house1 in every school in the kingdom4 ,you must keep out of their way 7and ways7--that was all4 ,and he knew also that too many beasts wreck a house1 as they wreck a regiment or a nation4 ,but once or twice within the past few months he had suspected that his cut-and-dried views on good and evil were not shared by ,scaife4 ,scaife confessed to ,desmond that the ,old ,adam was strong in him4 ,he liked1 craved for1 the excitement of breaking the law4 ,hitherto1 this breaking of the law had been confined to such offences as smoking or drinking a glass of beer at a pub1#be or using cribs1 or1 generally speaking1 setting at naught authority4 ,that ,scaife had escaped severe punishment was due to his keen wits4 ,now1 when ,scaife gave ,desmond the unexpurgated history of the row which so nearly resulted in the expulsion of six boys1 ,desmond had asked a question-- ,do you like whisky8 ,i loathe it4 ,scaife laughed before he answered4 ,doubtless one reason why he exacted interest and admiration from ,desmond lay in a rare 7rare at fifteen7 ability to analyse his own and others' actions4 ,i loathe it1 too1 he admitted4 ,really1 you know1 we drank precious little1 because it is such beastly stuff4 ,but ,i liked1 we all liked1 to believe that we were doing the correct thing--eh8 ,and it warmed us up4 ,just a taste made the ,caterpillar awfully funny4 ,i see4 ,do you see8 ,i doubt it1 ,caesar4 ,perhaps ,i shall horrify you when ,i tell you that vice interests me4 ,i used to buy the ,police ,news when ,i was a kid1 and simply wallow in it4 ,i told a woman that last ,easter1 and she laughed--she was as clever as they make 'em--and said that ,i suffered from what the ,french call la nostalgie de la boue2 that means1 you know1 the homesickness for the gutter4 ,rather personal1 but dev'lish sharp1 wasn't it8 ,i think she was a beast4 ,not she1 she's a sort of cousin2 she came from the same old place herself2 that's why she understood4 ,you don't want to know what goes on in the slums1 but ,i do4 ,why8 ,because my grand-dad was born in 'em4 ,he pulled himself out by brains and muscles4 ,but he went back--sometimes4 ,oh yes1 he did4 ,and the governor--,i'm up to some of his little games4 ,i could tell you---- ,oh--shut up6 said ,caesar1 the colour flooding his cheeks4 ,upon the last ,saturday of the term the ,school ,concert took place4 ,few of the boys in the ,manor1 and none out of it1 knew that ,john ,verney had been chosen to sing the treble solo2 always an attractive number of the programme4 ,john1 indeed1 was painfully shy in regard to his singing1 so shy that he never told ,desmond that he had a voice4 ,and the music-master1 enchanted by its quality1 impressed upon his pupil the expediency of silence4 ,he wished to surprise the ,school4 ,the concerts at ,harrow take place in the great ,speech-room4 ,their characteristic note is the singing of ,harrow songs4 ,to any boy with an ear for music and a heart susceptible of emotion these songs must appeal profoundly1 because both words and music seem to enshrine all that is noble and uplifting in life4 ,and1 sung by the whole ,school 7as are most of the choruses71 their message becomes curiously emphatic4 ,the spirit of the ,hill is acclaimed1 gladly1 triumphantly1 unmistakably1 by ,harrovians repeating the creed of their fathers1 knowing that creed will be so repeated by their sons and sons' sons4 ,was it happy chance or a happier sagacity which decreed that certain verses should be sung by the ,school ,twelve1 who have struggled through form after form and know 7and have not yet had time to forget7 the difficulties and temptations which beset all boys8 ,they1 to whom their fellows unanimously accord respect at least1 and often--as in the case of a ,captain of the ,cricket ,eleven--enthusiastic admiration and fealty2 these1 the gods1 in a word1 deliver their injunction1 transmit1 in turn1 what has been transmitted to them1 and invite their successors to receive it4 ,to many how poignant must be the reflection that the trust they are about to resign might have been better administered6 ,but to many there must come upon the wings of those mighty1 rushing choruses the assurance that the ,power which has upheld them in the past will continue to uphold them in the future4 ,in many--would one could say in all--is quickened1 for the first time1 perhaps1 a sense of what they owe to the ,hill1 the overwhelming debt which never can be discharged4 ,desmond sat beside ,scaife4 ,scaife boasted that he could not tell ,god save the ,queen from ,the ,dead ,march in ,saul4 ,he confessed that the concert bored him4 ,desmond1 on the other hand1 was always touched by music1 or1 indeed1 by anything appealing to an imagination which gilded all things and persons4 ,he was ,scaife's friend1 not only 7as ,john discovered7 because ,scaife had a will strong enough to desire and secure that friendship1 but because--a subtler reason--he had never yet seen ,scaife as he was1 but always as he might have been4 ,desmond told ,scaife that he could not understand why ,john had bottled up the fact that he was chosen to sing upon such an occasion4 ,scaife smiled contemptuously4 ,you never bottle up anything1 ,caesar1 said he4 ,why should ,i8 ,and why should he8 ,i expect he'll make an awful ass of himself4 ,oh no1 he won't1 ,desmond replied4 ,he's a clever fellow is ,jonathan4 ,as he gave ,john his nickname1 ,desmond's charming voice softened4 ,a boy of less quick perceptions than ,scaife would have divined that the speaker liked ,john1 liked him1 perhaps1 better than he knew4 ,scaife frowned4 ,there are several ,old ,harrovians1 he said1 indicating the seats reserved for them4 ,it's queer to me that they come down for this caterwauling4 ,desmond glanced at him sharply1 with a wrinkle between his eyebrows4 ,for the moment he looked as if he were short-sighted1 as if he were trying to define an image somewhat blurred1 conscious that the image itself was clear enough1 that the fault lay in the obscurity of his own vision4 ,they come down because they're keen1 he replied4 ,my governor can't leave his office1 or he'd be here4 ,i like to see 'em1 don't you1 ,demon8 ,i could worry along without 'em1 the ,demon replied1 half-smiling4 ,you see1 he added1 with the blend of irony and pathos which always captivated his friend1 you see1 my dear old chap1 ,i'm the first of my family at ,harrow1 and the sight of all your brothers and uncles and fathers makes me feel like ,mark ,twain's good man1 rather lonesome4 ,at once ,desmond responded1 clutching ,scaife's arm4 ,you're going to be ,captain of the cricket and footer ,elevens1 and ,school racquet-player1 and a monitor2 and after you leave you'll come down here1 and you'll see that ,harrow hasn't forgotten you1 and then you'll know why these fellows cut engagements4 ,my governor says that an hour at a ,school ,concert is the finest tonic in the world for an ,old ,harrovian4 ,oh1 shut up6 said ,scaife2 you make me feel more of an outsider than good old ,snowball4 ,he glanced at a youth sitting close to them4 ,snowball was as black as a coal3 the son of the ,sultan of the ,sahara4 ,yes1 ,caesar1 you can't get away from it1 ,i am an 'alien4' ,you're a silly old ass6 ,i say1 who's the guest of honour8 ,next to the ,head ,master was sitting a thin man upon whose face were fixed hundreds of eyes4 ,the ,school had not been told that a famous ,field ,marshal1 the hero of a hundred fights1 was coming to the concert4 ,and1 indeed1 he had accepted an invitation given at the last moment--accepted it1 moreover1 on the understanding that his visit was to be informal4 ,none the less1 his face was familiar to all readers of illustrated papers4 ,and1 suddenly1 conviction seized the boys that a conqueror was among them1 an ,old ,etonian1 making1 possibly1 his first visit to the ,hill4 ,scaife whispered his name to ,desmond4 ,why1 of course1 ,desmond replied eagerly4 ,how splendid6 ,he leaned forward1 devouring the hero with his eyes1 trying to pierce the bronzed skin1 to read the record4 ,from his seat upon the stage ,john1 also1 stared at the illustrious guest4 ,john was frightfully nervous1 but looking at the veteran he forgot the fear of the recruit4 ,both ,desmond and he were wondering what it felt like to have done so much4 ,and--they compared notes afterwards--each boy deplored the fact that the great man was not an ,old ,harrovian4 ,there he sat1 cool1 calm1 slightly impassive4 ,john thought he must be rather tired1 as a man ought to be tired after a life of strenuous endeavour and achievement4 ,he had done--so ,john reflected--an awful lot4 ,even now1 he remained the active1 untiring servant of ,queen and country4 ,and he had taken time to come down to ,harrow to hear the boys sing4 ,and1 dash it all6 he1 ,john1 was going to sing to him4 ,at that moment ,desmond was whispering to ,scaife-- ,i say1 ,demon2 ,i'm jolly glad that ,i've not got to sing before him4 ,i bet ,jonathan is in a funk4 ,a big bit of luck1 replied ,scaife1 reflectively4 ,then1 seeing the surprise on ,desmond's face1 he added1 ,if ,jonathan can sing--and ,i suppose he can1 or he wouldn't be chosen--this is a chance---- ,of what8 ,caesar1 sometimes ,i think you've no brains4 ,why1 a chance of attracting the notice of a tremendous swell--a man1 they say1 who never forgets--never6 ,jonathan may want a commission in the ,guards1 as ,i do2 and if he pleases the great man1 he may get it4 ,jonathan's not thinking of that1 said ,desmond4 ,shush-h-h6 ,the singers stood up4 ,they faced the ,field ,marshal1 and he faced them4 ,he looked hardest at ,lawrence1 pointed out to him by the ,head ,master4 ,perhaps he was thinking of ,india2 and the name of ,lawrence indelibly cut upon the memories of all who fought in the ,mutiny4 ,and ,lawrence1 you may be sure1 met his glance steadily1 being fortified by it4 ,the good fellow felt terribly distressed1 because he was leaving the ,hill2 and1 being a humble gentleman1 the old songs served to remind him1 not of what he had done1 but of what he had left undone--the words unspoken1 the actions never now to be performed4 ,the chief caught his eye1 smiled1 and nodded1 as if to say1 ,i claim your father's son as a friend4 ,when the song came to an end1 ,john was seized with an almost irresistible impulse to bolt4 ,his turn had come4 ,he must stand up to sing before nearly six hundred boys1 who would stare down with gravely critical and courteously amused eyes4 ,and already his legs trembled as if he were seized of a palsy4 ,john knew that he could sing4 ,his mother1 who sang gloriously1 had trained him4 ,from her he had inherited his vocal chords1 and from her he drew the knowledge how to use them4 ,when he stood up1 pale and trembling1 the silence fell upon his sensibilities as if it were a dense1 yellow fog4 ,this silence1 as ,john knew1 was an unwritten law4 ,the small boy selected to sing to the ,school1 as the representative of the ,school1 must have every chance4 ,let his voice be heard6 ,the master playing the accompaniment paused and glanced at his pupil4 ,john1 however1 was not looking at him2 he was looking within at a ,john he despised--a poltroon1 a deserter about to run from his first engagement4 ,he knew that the introduction to the song was being played a second time1 and he saw the ,head ,master whispering to his guest4 ,paralysed with terror1 ,john's intuition told him that the ,head ,master was murmuring1 ,that's the nephew of ,john ,verney4 ,of course you know him8 ,and the ,field ,marshal nodded4 ,and then he looked at ,john1 as ,john had seen him look at ,lawrence1 with the same flare of recognition in the steel-grey eyes4 ,out of the confused welter of faces shone that pair of eyes--twin beacons flashing their message of encouragement and salvation to a fellow-creature in peril--at least1 so ,john interpreted that piercing glance4 ,it seemed to say1 far plainer than words1 ,i have stood alone as you stand2 ,i have felt my knees as wax2 ,i have wished to run away4 ,but--,i didn't4 ,nor must you4 ,open your mouth and sing6 ,so ,john opened his mouth and sang4 ,the first verse of the lyric went haltingly4 ,scaife growled to ,desmond1 ,he is going to make an ass of himself4 ,and ,desmond1 meeting ,scaife's eyes1 half thought that the speaker wished that ,john would fail--that he grudged him a triumph4 ,none the less1 the first verse1 sung feebly1 with wrong phrasing and imperfect articulation1 revealed the quality of the boy's voice2 and this quality ,desmond recognized1 as he would have recognized a fine painting or a bit of perfect porcelain4 ,all his short life his father had trained him to look for and acclaim quality1 whether in things animate or inanimate4 ,he caught hold of ,scaife's arm4 ,make an ass of himself6 he whispered back4 ,not he4 ,but he may make an ass of me4 ,even as he spoke he was aware that tears were horribly near his eyes4 ,some catch in ,john's voice1 some subtle inflection1 had smitten his heart1 even as the prophet smote the rock4 ,rot6 said ,scaife1 angrily4 ,he was angry1 furiously angry1 because he saw that ,caesar was beyond his reach1 whirled innumerable leagues away by the sound of another's voice4 ,john had begun the second verse4 ,he stared1 as if hypnotized1 straight into the face of the great soldier1 who in turn stared as steadily at ,john2 and ,john was singing like a lark1 with a lark's spontaneous delight in singing1 with an ease and self-abandonment which charmed eye almost as much as ear4 ,higher and higher rose the clear1 sexless notes1 till two of them met and mingled in a triumphant trill4 ,to ,desmond1 that trill was the answer to the quavering1 troubled cadences of the first verse2 the vindication of the spirit soaring upwards unfettered by the flesh--the pure spirit1 not released from the pitiful human clay without a fierce struggle4 ,at that moment ,desmond loved the singer--the singer who called to him out of heaven1 who summoned his friend to join him1 to see what he saw--the vision splendid4 ,john began the third and last verse4 ,the famous soldier covered his face with his hand1 releasing ,john's eyes1 which ascended1 like his voice1 till they met joyfully the eyes of ,desmond4 ,at last he was singing to his friend--and his friend knew it4 ,john saw ,desmond's radiant smile1 and across that ocean of faces he smiled back4 ,then1 knowing that he was nearer to his friend than he had ever been before1 he gathered together his energies for the last line of the song--a line to be repeated three times1 loudly at first1 then more softly1 diminishing to the merest whisper of sound1 the voice celestial melting away in the ear of earth-bound mortals4 ,the master knew well the supreme difficulty of producing properly this last attenuated note2 but he knew also that ,john's lungs were strong1 that the vocal chords had never been strained4 ,still1 if the boy's breath failed2 if anything--a smile1 a frown1 a cough--distracted his attention1 the end would be--weakness1 failure4 ,he wondered why ,john was staring so fixedly in one direction4 ,now--now6 ,the piano crashed out the last line2 but far above it1 dominating it1 floated ,john's flute-like notes4 ,the master played the same bars for the second time4 ,he was still able to sustain1 if it were necessary1 a quavering1 imperfect phrase4 ,but ,john delivered the second repetition without a mistake1 singing easily from the chest4 ,the master put his foot upon the soft pedal4 ,nobody was watching him4 ,had any one done so1 he would have seen the perspiration break upon the musician's forehead4 ,the piano purred its accompaniment4 ,then1 in the middle of the phrase1 the master lifted his hands and held them poised above the instrument4 ,john had to sing three notes unsupported4 ,he was smiling and staring at ,desmond4 ,the first note came like a question from the heart of a child2 the second1 higher up1 might have been interpreted as an echo to the innocent interrogation of the first1 the head no wiser than the heart2 but the third and last note had nothing in it of interrogation3 it was an answer1 all-satisfying--sublime4 ,nor did it seem to come from ,john at all1 but from above1 falling like a snowflake out of the sky4 ,and then1 for one immeasurable moment--silence4 ,john slipped back to his seat1 crimson with bashfulness1 while the ,school thundered applause4 ,the ,field ,marshal shouted ,encore1 as loudly as any fag2 but the ,head ,master whispered-- ,we don't encourage encores4 ,a small boy's head is easily turned4 ,not his1 the hero replied4 ,two numbers followed1 and then the ,school stood up1 and with them all ,old ,harrovians1 to sing the famous ,national ,anthem of ,harrow1 ,forty ,years on4 ,only the guests and the masters remained seated4 ,forty years on1 growing older and older1 ,shorter in wind1 as in memory long1 ,feeble of foot and rheumatic of shoulder1 ,what will it help you that once you were strong8 ,god give us bases to guard or beleaguer1 ,games to play out1 whether earnest or fun2 ,fights for the fearless1 and goals for the eager1 ,twenty1 and thirty1 and forty years on6 ,follow up6 ,follow up6 ,follow up6 ,follow up6 ,till the field ring again and again1 ,with the tramp of the twenty-two men4 ,follow--up6 ,as the hundreds of voices1 past and present indissolubly linked together1 imposed the mandate1 ,follow up6 the ,head ,master glanced at his guest1 but left unsaid the words about to be uttered4 ,tears were trickling down the cheeks of the man who1 forty years before1 had won his ,sovereign's ,cross--,for ,valour4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after the concert1 but before he left the ,speech-room1 the ,field ,marshal asked the ,head ,master to introduce ,lawrence and ,john1 and1 of course1 the ,head of the ,school4 ,when ,john came up1 there was a twinkle in the veteran's eye4 ,ha--ha6 said he2 you were in a precious funk1 ,john ,verney4 ,i was1 sir1 said ,john4 ,gad6 ,don't ,i know the feeling8 ,well1 well1 he chuckled1 smiling at ,john1 you climbed up higher than ,i've ever been in my life4 ,what was it--hey8 ',f' in 'alt'8 ',g1' sir4 ,you sang delightfully4 ,tell your uncle to bring you to see me next time you are in town4 ,you must consider me a friend1 he chuckled again--an old friend4 ,and look ye here1 his pleasant voice sank to a whisper1 ,i daren't tip these tremendous swells1 but ,i feel that ,i can take such a liberty with you4 ,shush-h-h6 ,good-bye4 ,john scurried away1 bursting with pride1 feeling to the core the strong grip of the strong man1 hearing the thrill of his voice1 the thrill which had vibrated in thousands of soldier-hearts4 ,outside1 ,fluff was awaiting him4 ,oh1 ,jonathan1 you can sing1 and no mistake4 ,five--six--seven mistakes1 ,john answered4 ,the boys laughed4 ,john told ,fluff what the hero had said to him1 and showed the piece of gold4 ,what ho6 ,the ,creameries6 ,come on1 ,esme4 ,at the ,creameries several boys congratulated ,john1 and the ,caterpillar said-- ,you astonished us1 ,jonathan2 'pon my soul you did4 ,have a 'dringer' with me8 ,and ,fluff1 too8 ,by the way1 be sure to keep your hair clipped close4 ,these singing fellows with manes may be lions in their own estimation1 but the world looks upon 'em as asses4 ,that's not bad for you1 ,caterpillar1 said a boy in the ,fifth4 ,not my own1 said the ,caterpillar1 solemnly--my father's4 ,i take from him all the good things ,i can get hold of4 ,john polished off his dringer1 listening to the chaff1 but his thoughts were with ,desmond4 ,he had an intuition that ,desmond would have something to say to him4 ,as soon as possible he returned to the ,manor4 ,there he found his room empty4 ,john shut the door and sat down1 looking about him half-absently4 ,the ,duffer had not contributed much to the mural decoration1 saying1 loftily1 that he preferred bare walls to rubbishy engravings and ,japanese fans4 ,but1 with curious inconsistency 7for he was the least vain of mortals71 he had bought at a leaving auction a three-sided mirror--once the property of a great buck in the ,sixth4 ,the ,duffer had got it cheap1 but he never used it4 ,the lower boys remarked to each other that ,duff didn't dare to look in it1 because what he would see must not only break his heart but shatter the glass4 ,generally1 it hung1 folded up1 close to the window1 and the ,duffer said that it would come in handy when he took to shaving4 ,john's eye rested on this mirror1 vacantly at first1 then with gathering intensity4 ,presently he got up1 crossed the room1 opened the two folding panels1 and examined himself attentively1 pursing up his lips and frowning4 ,he could see ,john ,verney full face1 three-quarter face1 and half-face4 ,and he could see the back of his head1 where an obstinate lock of hair stuck out like a drake's tail4 ,john was so occupied in taking stock of his personal disadvantages that a ringing laugh quite startled him4 ,why1 ,jonathan6 ,giving yourself a treat--eh8 ,john turned a solemn face to ,desmond4 ,i think my head is hideous1 he said ruefully4 ,what do you mean8 ,it's too long1 ,john explained4 ,i like a nice round head like yours1 ,caesar4 ,i wish ,i wasn't so ugly4 ,desmond laughed4 ,john always amused him4 ,caesar was easily amused1 saw the funny side of things1 and contrasts tickled his fancy agreeably4 ,but he stopped laughing when he realized that ,john was hurt4 ,then1 quickly1 impulsively1 he said-- ,your head is all right1 old ,jonathan4 ,and your voice is simply beautiful4 ,he spoke seriously1 staring at ,john as he had stared in the ,speech-room when ,john began to sing4 ,i came here to tell you that4 ,i felt odd when you were singing--quite weepsy1 you know4 ,you like me1 old ,jonathan1 don't you8 ,awfully1 said ,john4 ,why did you look at me when you sang that last verse8 ,did you know that you were looking at me8 ,yes4 ,you looked at me because--well1 because--bar chaff--you--liked--me8 ,yes4 ,you--you like me better than any other fellow in the school8 ,yes2 better than any other fellow in the world4 ,is it possible8 ,i have always felt that way since--yes--since the very first minute ,i saw you4 ,how rum6 ,i've forgotten just where we did meet--for the first time4 ,i shall never forget1 said ,john1 in the same slow1 deliberate fashion1 never taking his eyes from ,desmond's face4 ,ever since he had sung1 he had known that this moment was coming4 ,i shall never forget it1 he repeated--never4 ,you were standing near the ,chapel4 ,i was poking about alone1 trying to find the shop where we buy our straws4 ,and ,i was feeling as all new boys feel1 only more so1 because ,i didn't know a soul4 ,yes1 said ,desmond1 gravely2 you told me that4 ,i remember now2 ,i mistook you for young ,hardacre4 ,you smiled at me1 ,caesar4 ,it warmed me through and through4 ,i suppose that when a fellow is starving he never forgets the first meal after it4 ,i say4 ,go on2 this is awfully interesting4 ,i can remember what you wore4 ,one of your bootlaces had burst---- ,well2 ,i'm---- ,i had a wild sort of wish to run off and buy you a new lace---- ,of all the rum starts ,i---- ,afterwards1 ,john continued1 ,i tried to suck-up4 ,i asked you to come and have some 'food4' ,do you remember8 ,i'll bet ,i came1 ,jonathan4 ,no2 you didn't4 ,you said ',no4' ,dash it all6 ,i certainly said1 ',no thanks4' ,i dare say2 but the ',no' hurt awfully because ,i did feel that it was cheek asking you4 ,jonathan1 you funny old buster1 ,i'll never say ',no' again4 ',pon my word1 ,i won't4 ,so ,i said ',no4' ,that's odd1 because it's not easy for me to say ',no4' ,the governor pointed that out last hols4 ,somehow1 ,i can't say ',no1' particularly if there's any excitement in saying ',yes4' ,and my beastly ',no' hurt1 did it8 ,well1 ,i'm very1 very sorry4 ,he held out his hand1 which ,john took4 ,then1 for a moment1 there was a pause before ,desmond continued awkwardly-- ,you know1 ,jonathan1 that the ,demon is my pal4 ,you like him better than you did1 don't you8 ,john had the tact not to speak2 but he shook his head dolefully4 ,and ,i couldn't chuck him1 even if ,i wanted to1 which ,i don't--which ,i don't1 he repeated1 with an air of satisfying himself rather than ,john4 ,and ,john divined that ,scaife's hold upon ,desmond's affections was not so strong as he had deemed it to be4 ,desmond continued1 ,but ,i want you1 too1 old ,jonathan1 and if--if---- ,all right1 said ,john1 nobly4 ,he perceived that ,desmond's loyalty to ,scaife made him hesitate and flush4 ,i understand1 ,caesar1 and if ,i can't be first1 let me be second2 only1 remember1 with me you're first1 rain or shine4 ,desmond looked uneasy4 ,isn't that a case of 'heads ,i win1 tails you lose'8 ,john considered2 then he smiled cheerfully1 ,you know you are a winner1 ,caesar4 ,you're cut out for a winner2 you can win whatever you want to win4 ,oh1 that's all rot1 said ,desmond4 ,he looked very grave1 and in his eyes lay shadows which ,john had never seen before4 ,and so ended ,john's first year at ,harrow4 ,,footnotes3 #be ,all ,public ,houses are out of bounds4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,reform ',it must be a gran' thing to be a colledge profissor4' ',not much to do1' said ,mr4 ,hennessy4 ',but a gr--reat deal to say1' said ,mr4 ,dooley4 ,when ,john returned to the ,hill at the beginning of the winter term the great change had taken place4 ,rutford had assumed the duties of ,professor of ,greek at a ,scotch ,university2 ,warde was in possession of the ,manor2 ,scaife and ,desmond and ,john--but not the ,caterpillar--had got their remove4 ,they were ,fifth ,form boys--and in tails6 ,john1 it is true1 although tougher and broader1 was still short for his years and juvenile of appearance1 but ,scaife and ,desmond were quite big fellows1 and their new coats became them mightily4 ,trieve was ,head of the ,house2 ,lovell1 ,captain of the ,house football ,eleven and in the ,lower ,sixth4 ,lovell will have to behave himself now1 the ,duffer remarked to ,scaife1 who laughed derisively1 as he answered-- ,he couldn't1 even if he tried4 ,warde welcomed the ,house at lock-up1 and introduced the boys to his wife and daughter4 ,mrs4 ,warde had a plain1 pleasant face4 ,miss ,warde1 however1 was a beauty1 and she knew it1 the coquette1 and had known it from the hour she could peep into a mirror4 ,the ,caterpillar pronounced her fetching4 ,being only fifteen1 she wore her hair in a plait tied by a huge bow1 and the hem of her skirt barely touched the neatest ankle on ,harrow ,hill4 ,give her a saucy1 pink-and-white face1 pop a pert1 tip-tilted nose into the middle of it just above a pouting red mouth1 and just below her father's lapis-lazuli eyes1 and you will see ,iris ,warde4 ,her hair was reddish1 not red--call it warm chestnut2 and she had a dimple4 ,after the introductions1 mother and daughter left the hall4 ,warde stood up1 inviting the ,house to sit down4 ,warde was about half the width of the late ,rutford1 but somehow he seemed to take up more room4 ,he had spent the summer holidays in ,switzerland1 climbing terrific peaks4 ,snow and sun had coloured his clear complexion4 ,john1 who saw beneath tanned skins1 reflected that ,warde seemed to be saturated with fresh air and all the sweet1 clean things which one associates with mountains4 ,he loves hills1 thought ,john1 and he loves our ,hill4 ,warde began to speak in his jerky1 confidential tones4 ,dirty ,dick had always been insufferably dull1 pompous1 and didactic4 ,i don't like speechmaking1 said ,warde1 but ,i want to put one thing to you as strongly as a man may4 ,i have always wished to be master of the ,manor4 ,some men may think mine a small ambition4 ,master of a house at ,harrow8 ,nothing big about that4 ,perhaps not4 ,but ,i think it big4 ,and it is big--for me4 ,understand that ,i'm in love with my job--head over heels4 ,i'd sooner be master of the ,manor than ,prime ,minister4 ,i couldn't tackle his work4 ,enough of that4 ,now1 forget for a moment that ,i'm a master4 ,let me talk as an ,old ,harrovian1 an old ,manorite who remembers everything1 ay--everything1 good and bad4 ,some lucky fellows remember the good only2 we call them optimists4 ,others remember the bad4 ,pessimists those4 ,put me between the two4 ,the other day ,i had an eye1 one eye1 fixed on the top of a certain peak--by ,jove6 how ,i longed to reach that peak6--but the other eye was on a crevasse at my feet4 ,had ,i kept both eyes on the peak1 ,i should be lying now at the bottom of that crevasse4 ,you take me8 ,well1 twenty years ago ,i sat here1 in hall1 my last night in the old house1 and ,i hoped that one day ,i might come back4 ,why8 ,this is between ourselves1 a confidence4 ,i came to the ,manor from a beastly school1 such schools are hardly to be found nowadays--a hardened young sinner at thirteen4 ,the ,manor licked me into shape4 ,speaking generally1 ,i suppose the tone of the house insensibly communicated itself to me4 ,the ,manor was cock-house at games and work4 ,i began by shirking both4 ,but the spirit of the ,hill was too much for me4 ,i couldn't shirk that4 ,some jolly old boys1 we all know them and like them1 are always saying that their early school-days were the happiest of their lives4 ,they're fond of telling this big lie just as they're settling down to their claret4 ,i really believe that they believe what they say1 but it is a lie4 ,the smallest boy here knows it's a lie4 ,let's hark back a bit4 ,i said ,i was licked into shape--and ,i mean licked4 ,i had a lot of really hard fagging--much harder than any of you boys know--,i was sent up and swished1 ,i had whoppings innumerable1 and it wasn't pleasant4 ,my mother had pinched herself to send me here1 because my father had been here before me2 and ,i wondered why she did it4 ,at that time ,i couldn't see why cheaper schools shouldn't be not only as good as ,harrow1 but perhaps better4 ,not till ,i was in the ,fifth did ,i get a glimmering of what my mother and the ,manor were doing for me4 ,when ,i got into the ,sixth and into the ,eleven1 ,i knew4 ,and my last year here made up1 and more1 too1 for the previous four4 ,i enjoyed that year thoroughly2 ,i had ceased to be a slacker4 ,i tell you1 all of you1 that happiness1 like liberty1 must be earned before we can enjoy it4 ,and you are sent here to earn it4 ,i'm not going to keep you much longer4 ,i have come to the marrow of the matter4 ,i owe the ,manor a debt which ,i hope to pay to--you4 ,just as you1 in turn1 will pay back to boys not yet born the money your people have gladly spent on you1 and other greater things besides4 ,i want to see this house at the top of the tree again3 cock-house at cricket1 cock-house at footer1 with a ,balliol ,scholar in it1 and a school racquet-player4 ,and now ,dumbleton is going to bring in a little champagne4 ,we'll drink high health and fellowship to the ,manor and the ,hill6 ,his face broke into the smile his form knew so well2 he sat down1 as the house roared its welcome to a friend4 ,as soon as the champagne was drunk 7,dumber was careful to put more froth than wine into the glasses of the kids71 the boys filed out of the ,hall4 ,the ,duffer1 ,desmond1 ,john1 and the ,caterpillar assembled in ,john's room4 ,desmond1 you may be sure1 was afire with resolution4 ,warde was the right sort1 a clinker1 a first flighter4 ,and he meant to stick by him through thick and thin4 ,john said nothing4 ,the ,caterpillar drawled out-- ,warde didn't surprise me--much4 ,i've found out that he's one of the ,wardes of ,warde-,pomeroy1 the real old stuff4 ,our families intermarried in ,elizabeth's reign4 ,chance to do it again1 ,caterpillar1 said the ,duffer4 ,warde's daughter is an uncommonly pretty girl4 ,then the ,caterpillar used the epithet fetching4 ,she's fetching1 very fetching1 he said4 ,it's a pleasure to remember that we're of kin4 ,one must be civil to ,warde4 ,he's a well bred 'un4 ,you think too much of family1 said ,desmond4 ,one can't1 replied the ,caterpillar1 solemnly4 ,one knows that family is not everything1 but1 other things being equal1 it means refinement4 ,the first of the ,howards was a swineherd1 ,i dare say1 but generations of education1 of association with the best1 have turned them from swine-herds into gentlemen1 and it takes generations to do it4 ,good old ,caterpillar6 said the ,duffer4 ,not my own1 said the ,caterpillar2 adding1 as usual1 ,my governor's1 you know4 ,warde hasn't a soft job ahead of him1 said ,desmond4 ,soft or hard1 he'll handle it his own way4 ,desmond went out1 wondering what had become of ,scaife4 ,scaife was in his room1 talking to ,lovell senior1 who spent a fortnight with ,scaife's people in ,scotland1 fishing and grousing4 ,desmond had been asked also1 but his father1 rather to ,caesar's disgust 7for the ,scaife moor was famous71 had refused to let him go4 ,lovell and ,scaife were arguing about something which ,desmond could not understand4 ,i left it to my partner1 said ,scaife1 and the fool went no trumps holding two missing suits4 ,the enemy doubled1 my partner redoubled1 and the others redoubled again3 that made it ninety-six a trick4 ,the fellow on the left held my partner's missing suits2 he made the ,little ,slam1 and scored nearly six hundred below the line4 ,it gave 'em the rubber1 too1 and ,i had to fork out a couple of quid4 ,what are you jawing about1 ,demon8 said ,desmond4 ,bridge4 ,it's the new game4 ,it's going to be the rage4 ,do you play bridge1 ,caesar8 ,no4 ,i want to learn it4 ,all right1 ,i must teach you4 ,we could get up a four in this house1 said ,lovell4 ,we three and the ,caterpillar4 ,he plays1 ,i know4 ,the ,colonel is one of the cracks at the ,turf4 ,it would be an awful lark4 ,a mild gamble3 small points--eh8 ,a bob a hundred4 ,what do you say1 ,caesar8 ,desmond hesitated4 ,bridge had not yet reached its delirious stage4 ,but ,desmond had seen it played1 had heard his father praise it as the most fascinating of card-games1 and had determined to learn it at the first convenient opportunity4 ,none the less ,warde's words still echoed in his ear4 ,i think we ought to give ,warde a chance1 he said4 ,you don't mean to say you were taken in by him8 said ,lovell1 contemptuously4 ,desmond burst into enthusiastic praise of ,warde and his methods4 ,lovell shrugged his shoulders and walked out of the room1 nodding to ,scaife1 but ignoring ,desmond4 ,you must go canny with ,lovell1 said ,scaife4 ,he's the fellow who ought to give you your 'fez' after the first house-game4 ,never mind that4 ,you won't play bridge1 ,demon1 will you8 ,why not8 said ,scaife4 ,where's the harm8 ,your governor plays---- ,yes2 but---- ,you're afraid of getting sacked8 ,i'm not4 ,all right2 ,i'll take that back4 ,you're not a funk1 ,caesar1 but you're so easily humbugged4 ,warde caught you with his 'pi jaw' and a glass of gooseberry4 ,the champagne was all right1 wasn't it8 ,oh1 ho6 ,so you do mean to stand in with ,warde against ,lovell and me8 ,thanks for being so candid4 ,now ,i'll be candid with you4 ,i like ,lovell4 ,there's no nonsense about him4 ,he don't put on frills because he's in the ,sixth1 and he don't mean to take to their sneaking1 spying ways4 ,he's just as anxious as ,warde to see the ,manor cock-house at footer and cricket1 and ,i'm as keen as he is2 but we stop there4 ,the ,balliol ,scholarship may go hang4 ,and as for sympathy and fellowship and pulling together between masters and boys1 ,i never did believe in it1 and never shall4 ,my hand is against the masters1 so long as they interfere with anything ,i want to do4 ,i like bridge1 and ,i mean to play it4 ,and ,i'll take jolly good care that ,i'm not nailed4 ,that's part of the fun1 as the drinking used to be4 ,i chucked that because it wasn't good enough2 but bridge is ripping1 and1 take my word for it1 you'll be keener than ,i when you begin4 ,perhaps4 ,but ,i'm not going to begin here4 ,right--oh6 ,scaife turned aside1 whistling1 but out of the corner of his shrewd eye he marked the expression of ,desmond's face1 the colour ebbing and flowing in the round1 boyish cheeks1 the perplexity on the brow4 ,then he spoke in a different voice4 ,don't worry1 old chap4 ,you've stuck to me through thick and thin1 and ,i'm grateful1 really and truly4 ,you're right1 and ,i'm wrong2 ,i always am wrong4 ,i was looking forward to larks4 ,if you count 'em purple sins1 ,i don't blame you for letting me go to the devil by myself4 ,i never said bridge was a purple sin4 ,warde thinks it is4 ,if you're going to look at life here with his eyes1 you'll have to rename things4 ,babies play ,beggar my ,neighbour for chocolates2 why shouldn't we play bridge for a bob a hundred8 ,the game is splendid for the brain2 ten thousand times better than translating ,greek choruses4 ,but it is--gambling1 ,demon2 you can't get away from that4 ,pooh6 ,it's gambling if ,i bet you a 'dringer' that you won't make ten runs in a house-match2 it's gambling if ,i raffle a picture and you take a sixpenny ticket4 ,are you going to give up that sort of gambling8 ,no2 but---- ,what would ,warde say to our co-operative system of work--eh8 ,you're not prepared to go the whole hog8 ,you want to pick and choose4 ,good6 ,but give me the same right1 that's all4 ,play bridge with your old pals1 or don't play1 just as you please4 ,no more was said4 ,scaife's manner rather than his matter confounded the younger and less experienced boy4 ,scaife1 too1 tackled problems which many men prefer to leave alone4 ,here heredity cropped up4 ,scaife's sire and grandsire were earning their bread before they were sixteen4 ,of necessity they faced and overcame obstacles which the ordinary ,public ,school-boy never meets till he leaves the ,university4 ,for some time after this bridge was not mentioned4 ,lovell1 acting1 possibly1 under advice from ,scaife1 treated ,desmond courteously1 and gave him his fez after the first house-game4 ,both boys now were members of the ,manor cricket and football ,elevens1 and1 as such1 persons of distinction in their small world4 ,scaife1 moreover1 began to play football with such extraordinary dash and brilliancy1 that it seemed to be quite on the cards that he might get his ,school ,flannels4 ,this possibility1 and the ,greek in the ,fifth1 absorbed his energies for the first six weeks of the winter quarter4 ,john had come back to ,scaife's room to prepare work4 ,desmond felt that ,scaife had been generous in proposing that ,john should join them1 because in many small ways it had become evident that the ,demon disliked ,john1 although he still spoke of the tight place out of which ,john had hauled him4 ,through ,scaife ,john received his fez2 and when ,john wore it for the first time1 ,scaife came up and said1 smiling-- ,i'm nearly even with you1 ,verney4 ,what do you mean8 said ,john4 ,you know well enough what ,i mean1 said ,scaife1 winking his eye maliciously4 ,john flushed1 because in his heart he did know4 ,but when he told ,egerton what ,scaife had said1 that experienced man of the world turned up his nose4 ,just like him1 he said4 ,he wants you to feel that he has wiped out his debt4 ,do you think my 'fez' ought to have been given to young ,lovell8 ,the ,caterpillar1 who played back for the ,manor1 considered the question4 ,i don't know1 he said4 ,you are pretty nearly equal2 but it's a fact that the ,demon turned the scale4 ,he pointed out to ,lovell that if he gave a 'fez' to his young brother1 the house might accuse him of favouritism4 ,that did the trick4 ,this made ,john uneasy and unhappy for a week or two2 but the consciousness that another might be better entitled to the coveted fez made him play up with such energy that he succeeded in proving to all critics that he had honestly earned what luck had bestowed on him4 ,during the last week of ,october1 ,john began those long walks with ,desmond which1 afterwards1 he came to regard as perhaps the most delightful hours spent at ,harrow4 ,scaife detested walking4 ,he had his father's power of focusing attention and energy upon a single object4 ,for the moment he was mad about football4 ,talk about books1 scenery1 people1 bored him1 and he said so with his usual frankness and impatience of restraint4 ,desmond1 on the other hand1 was also like his father1 inasmuch as his tastes were catholic4 ,he was a bit of a naturalist1 learned in the lore of woods and fields1 and he liked to talk about books1 and he liked to talk about his home4 ,simple ,john would sooner hear ,caesar talk than listen to the heavenly choir4 ,so it came to pass that once a week at least the boys would stroll down the avenue at ,orley ,farm 7where ,anthony ,trollope's sad boyhood was passed71 or take the ,northwick ,walk1 which winds through meadows to the ,bridge1 or visit ,john ,lyon's farm at ,preston1 or1 getting signed for ,bill1 attempt a longer ramble to ,ruislip ,reservoir1 or ,oxhey ,wood1 or ,headstone with its moated grange1 or ,horsington ,hill with its long-stretching view across the ,uxbridge plain4 ,very soon it became the natural thing for ,caesar to give ,john a glimpse1 at least1 of whatever floated in and out of his mind4 ,john1 being himself a creature of reserves1 could not quite understand this unlocking of doors1 but he appreciated his privileges4 ,caesar's ingenuousness1 sympathy1 and impulsiveness1 seemed the more enchanting because ,john himself was of the look-before-you-leap1 think-before-you-speak1 sort4 ,one ,sunday evening they were hurrying back to ,chapel1 when they passed a woman carrying a heavy child4 ,the poor creature appeared to be almost fainting with fatigue and possibly hunger4 ,her pinched face1 her bent figure1 her thin garments1 bespoke a passionate protest against conditions which obviously she was powerless to avert or control4 ,the boys glanced at her with pitying eyes as they passed4 ,then ,desmond said quickly-- ,i say1 ,jonathan1 she looks as if she was going to fall down4 ,john1 seeing what was in his friend's mind1 said-- ,we must hurry up1 or we shall miss ,chapel4 ,they offered the woman sixpences1 and blushes1 because through the tattered shawl might be seen a shrunken bosom4 ,the woman stared1 stammered1 and burst into tears4 ,we shall miss ,chapel1 ,john repeated4 ,hang ,chapel1 said ,desmond4 ,he was looking at the child4 ,when the woman took the silver1 she let the child slip to the ground1 where it lay inert4 ,what's the matter with it8 said ,desmond4 ,half sobbing1 the woman explained that the child had sprained its ankle4 ,i'm just about done1 she gasped2 an' the sight o' you two young gen'lemen runnin' up the 'ill finished me4 ,i ain't the leaky sort1 she added fiercely1 still gasping and trembling4 ,then she bent down and tried to lift the heavy child1 which moaned feebly4 ,you run on1 ,jonathan1 said ,desmond4 ,why8 ,i'm going to carry this kid up the hill4 ,i'll help4 ,no--hook it1 you ass4 ,i won't hook it4 ,between them they carried the child as far as the ,speech-room1 where a policeman accepted a shilling1 and gave in return a positive assurance that he would see woman and child to their destination4 ,when the boys were alone1 ,john said-- ,caesar---- ,well8 ,what a fellow you are6 ,i wouldn't have thought of that4 ,it was splendid4 ,oh1 shut up4 ,there was a slight pause2 then ,caesar said defiantly1 ,i thought of carrying that kid2 but ,i wouldn't have done it1 unless ,i'd known that every boy was safe in ,chapel4 ,i couldn't have faced the chaff4 ,and--you could4 ,they were punished for cutting ,chapel1 because ,caesar refused to give the reason which would have saved them4 ,i'd have told the truth1 he admitted to ,john1 if ,i could have shouldered that kid with the ,manorites looking on4 ,john agreed that this was an excellent and a ,caesarean 7he coined the adjective on this occasion7 reason4 99 99 99 99 99 ,among the ,fifth ,form boys of the ,manor was a big1 coarse-looking youth of the name of ,beaumont-,greene4 ,everybody called him ,beaumont-,greene in full1 because upon his first appearance at ,bill he had stopped the line of boys by refusing to answer to the name of ,greene4 ,my name1 said he1 in a shrill pipe1 is ,beaumont-,greene1 and we spell the ,greene with a final 'e'4 ,beaumont-,greene was a type of boy1 unhappily1 too common at all ,public ,schools4 ,he had no feeling whatever for ,harrow1 save that it was a place where it behoved a boy to escape punishment if he could1 and to run1 hot foot1 towards anything which would yield pleasure to his body4 ,he was known to the ,manorites as a funk at footer1 and a prodigious consumer of food at the ,creameries4 ,his father1 having accumulated a large fortune in manufacturing what was advertised in most of the public prints as the ,imperishable1 ,seamless1 ,whale-skin ,boot1 gave his son plenty of money4 ,as a ,lower ,boy1 ,beaumont-,greene had but a sorry time of it4 ,somebody discovered that he was what ,gilbert once described as an imperfect ablutioner4 ,the ,caterpillar made a point of telling new boys the nature of the punishment meted out to the unclean4 ,he had assisted at the toshing of ,beaumont-,greene4 ,a nasty job1 the ,caterpillar would remark1 looking at his own speckless finger-nails3 but it had to be done4 ,we took the ,greene person 7the ,caterpillar alone refused to defame the fine name of ,beaumont by linking it to ,greene7 and placed him naked in a large tosh4 ,into that tosh the house was invited to pour any fluid that could be spared4 ,one forgets things2 but1 unless ,i'm mistaken1 the particular sheep-wash used was made up of lemonade1 syrups1 ink--plenty of that--milk 7,i bought a quart myself71 tooth-powder1 paraffin1 and a cake of ,sapolio--,monkey ,brand6 ,we scrubbed the ,yahoo thoroughly1 washed its teeth1 ears1 hair1 and then we dried it4 ,i don't know who smeared marmalade on to the towel1 but the drying part was not very successful4 ,rather tough--eh8 ,yes1 very tough--on us1 but effective4 ,the ,greene person has toshed regularly ever since4 ,at least1 so ,i'm told2 ,i never go near him myself1 and he's considerate enough to keep out of my way4 ,beaumont-,greene had not1 it is true1 the appetite for reckless breaking of the law which distinguished ,lovell and his particular pals2 but ,lovell's good qualities cancelled to a certain extent what was vicious4 ,a fine cricketer1 a plucky football-player1 he might have proved a credit to his house had a master other than ,dirty ,dick been originally in command of it4 ,before he was out of the ,shell1 he had declared war against ,authority4 ,beaumont-,greene1 on the other hand1 detested games1 and sneered at those who played them4 ,pulpy1 pimply1 gross in mind and body1 he stood for that heavy1 amorphous resistance to good1 which is so difficult to overcome4 ,during the first half of the winter quarter1 ,john saw but little of ,esme ,kinloch4 ,it is one of the characteristics of a ,public ,school that the boys--as in the greater world for which it is a preparation--are in layers4 ,some layers overlap2 others never touch4 ,fluff was a fag2 his friend ,john was in the ,fifth ,form1 and a fez4 ,in a word1 an ,atlantic rolled between them4 ,john1 however1 would often give ,fluff a con1 and occasionally they would walk together4 ,fluff was no longer the delicate1 girlish child of a year ago4 ,he had bloomed into a very handsome boy1 attractive1 like all the members of his mother's family1 with engaging manners1 and he had also shown signs of developing into a cricketer4 ,fluff could paddle his own canoe1 provided1 of course1 that he kept out of the rapids4 ,but about the middle of the term ,john noticed that ,fluff was losing colour and spirits1 the latter never very exuberant4 ,it was not in ,john's nature to ask questions which he might answer for himself by taking pains to do so4 ,he watched ,fluff closely4 ,then he demanded bluntly-- ,what's up8 ,nothing4 ,that's a cram1 said ,john1 severely4 ,i didn't believe you'd tell me a cram1 ,esme4 ,you don't care tuppence whether ,i tell crams or not--now4 ,john weighed the now deliberately4 ,that's another cram1 he said slowly4 ,has anybody been rotting you8 ,silence4 ,john repeated the question4 ,still silence4 ,then ,john added-- ,you know1 ,esme1 that ,i shall stick to you till ,i find out what's up2 so you may as well save time by telling me at once4 ,it's ,beaumont-,greene1 faltered ,fluff4 ,that fat beast6 ,what's he done8 ,he hasn't done much--yet4 ,tell everything6 ,he came into my room one night and turned me up in my bed4 ,i woke1 on my head1 in the dark1 half-smothered1 and couldn't think what had happened2 it was simply awful4 ,then ,i heard his beastly voice saying1 ',if ,i let you down1 will you do what ,i ask you8' ,i'd have promised anything to get out of that horrible1 choking prison1 and now he threatens to turn me up every night1 and ,i dream of it---- ,go on1 said ,john1 grimly4 ,no1 you needn't go on4 ,i can guess what this low cad is up to4 ,he said he'd be my friend2 as if ,i'd have a beast like that for a friend4 ,did you tell him that8 ,yes1 ,i did4 ,you're a good-plucked 'un1 ,esme4 ,and he's made it warm for you ever since8 ,yes4 ,but he hasn't turned you up again8 ,n-no2 but he will4 ,i'd almost sooner he'd do it1 and have done with it4 ,i can't sleep4 ,now1 don't be a silly fool1 ,john commanded4 ,i'm going to think this out1 and ,i'll bet ,i make that fat1 pimply beast sit up and howl4 ,thanks awfully1 ,john4 ,but the more ,john thought of what he had undertaken to do1 the less clearly he saw his way to do it4 ,evidently ,beaumont-,greene was too prudent to bully ,fluff2 he had resorted to the crueller alternative of terrorizing him4 ,lawrence would have settled this fellow's hash--so ,john reflected--in a jiffy1 but ,trieve1 ,miss ,trieve1 was hopelessly incapable4 ,presently inspiration came4 ,he seized an opportunity when ,beaumont-,greene happened to be by himself2 then he marched boldly into his room1 leaving the door ajar4 ,hullo6 what do you want8 ,beaumont-,greene was sitting opposite the fire1 reading a novel and leisurely consuming macaroons4 ,i want you to leave young ,kinloch alone--please4 ,beaumont-,greene nearly choked2 then he spluttered out-- ,say that again1 will you8 ,i want you to leave young ,kinloch alone4 ,really8 ,anything else8 ,nothing more1 thank you4 ,beaumont-,greene slowly raised himself out of his chair and glared at ,john1 whose head came to his chin4 ,you've plenty of cheek4 ,what ,i have isn't spotty1 anyway4 ,john saw the veins begin to swell in ,beaumont-,greene's throat4 ,he thought with relief of the door ajar1 but it was part of his policy--a carefully devised policy--to provoke1 if possible1 a scene4 ,then others would interfere1 explanations would be in order1 and public opinion would accomplish the rest4 ,you infernal young jackanapes6 ,you pretty pet6 ,get out of my room6 ,hook it6 ,i want to1 said ,john1 coolly enough1 although his heart was throbbing4 ,it's horribly fuggy in here1 and ,i've ,jambi#bf to do2 but ,i'm not going till you give me your word that you'll leave young ,kinloch alone4 ,if you don't walk out ,i'll chuck you out4 ,you must catch me first1 said ,john4 ,and then a very pretty chase took place4 ,beaumont-,greene1 fat1 scant of breath1 full of macaroons1 began to pursue ,john round and round the table4 ,john skilfully interposed chairs1 sofa-cushions1 anything he could lay hands on4 ,passing the washstand1 he secured an enormous sponge1 which an instant later flew souse into the face of the grampus4 ,an abridged edition of ,liddell and ,scott's ,greek ,lexicon followed4 ,this nearly brought the big fellow to grass4 ,in his rage he1 too1 began to hurl what objects happened to be within reach1 but he was a shocking bad shot2 he missed1 or ,john dodged every time4 ,john did not miss4 ,finally1 as ,john had foreseen1 a couple of ,sixth ,form fellows rushed in4 ,what's the meaning of this infernal row8 asked one4 ,ask him1 said ,john4 ,authority stared at ,beaumont-,greene1 and then at his wrecked room4 ,i told him to hook it1 and he wouldn't1 spluttered the gasping ,greene4 ,why8 ,half a dozen other fellows had come into the room4 ,amongst them the ,duffer and the ,caterpillar4 ,i wanted to hook it1 ,john explained1 because it's so beastly fuggy2 but ,beaumont-,greene wouldn't promise me to do something he ought to do4 ,this is mysterious4 ,the swaggering young blackguard cheeked me1 growled ,greene4 ,i was very polite--at first1 pleaded ,john4 ,hook it now1 anyway1 said ,authority4 ,not till he promises4 ,if you turn me out1 ,i'll come back after you're gone4 ,what is it you want him to promise8 ,john had achieved his object4 ,i want him to leave young ,kinloch alone4 ,the two ,sixth ,form boys glanced at each other2 at ,john2 at the gross1 spotted face of ,beaumont-,greene4 ,then the senior said coldly-- ,i suppose you have no objection1 ,beaumont-,greene1 to promising ,verney or any one else that you will leave young ,kinloch alone8 ,i've never laid a finger on the kid1 growled the big fellow2 but he looked pale and frightened4 ,then you promise--eh8 ,yes4 ,on your word of honour8 ,yes4 ,that night ,john told ,fluff with great glee how ,beaumont-,greene had been made to sit up and howl4 ,,footnotes3 #bf ,jambi--,iambic verses4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,verney ,boscobel ,in honour of all who believe that life was made for friendship4 ,the immediate result of the incident described in the last chapter was to strengthen the bond between ,john and ,desmond4 ,desmond had the epic from ,fluff1 from the ,caterpillar1 and finally from ,john himself4 ,you bearded that poisonous beast in his den1 exclaimed he2 you plotted and planned for the scrimmage2 you foresaw what would happen4 ,well1 you are a corker1 ,jonathan4 ,you'd have thought of something much better4 ,not ,i1 ,desmond replied4 ,scaife1 however1 made no remarks4 ,possibly1 because ,desmond made too many1 singing ,john's praises behind his back and to his face1 in and out of season4 ,this1 of course1 was indiscreet1 and led to hard words and harder feelings4 ,beaumont-,greene realized that ,john had tarred and feathered him4 ,the fags1 you may be sure1 rubbed the tar in4 ,if ,beaumont-,greene threatened to kick an impudent ,fourth ,form boy1 that youngster would bid him be careful4 ,if you don't behave yourself1 he would say1 ,i shall have to send ,verney to your room4 ,lovell senior remarked that ,beaumont-,greene was a swine1 but that ,verney had put on lift and must be snubbed4 ,what8 ,a boy who had not been two years in the school dared to take the law into his own hands6 ,the matter ought to have been laid before the ,head of the ,house4 ,accordingly1 ,john found himself1 much to his dismay1 unpopular with the ,olympians4 ,the last month of this term was1 in some ways1 the most disagreeable he had yet spent at ,harrow4 ,but the gain of ,desmond's friendship far outweighed the loss of popularity4 ,john tingled with pleasure when he reflected that he had achieved his ambition to stand between ,scaife and ,desmond4 ,at the same time1 he was uncomfortably aware that ,scaife seemed to have climbed high above ,desmond1 who had stood still4 ,in moments of depression ,john told himself that he was a makeshift1 that ,desmond would leave him and join the ,demon whenever that splendid young person chose to whistle him up4 ,scaife had failed to get his ,football ,flannels1 but he came so near to beating all previous records that the ,school began to regard him as a ,blood4 ,he was seen arm-in-arm with ,lovell1 strolling up and down the ,high ,street1 and the fags breathlessly repeated what ,desmond had predicted a year ago3 the ,demon was the coming man4 ,and always1 when ,john and ,desmond passed him1 ,john thought he could read a derisive triumph upon the ,demon's handsome face1 an expression which said plainly3 ,you young fool1 don't you know that ,i'm playing cat and mouse with you8 ,the three still met twice daily to prepare work4 ,but the moment that was done1 ,scaife disappeared1 leaving ,john and ,desmond together4 ,he's playing bridge in ,lovell's room1 said ,desmond4 ,more facts were gleaned from the ,caterpillar1 who had joined the bridge-players1 but played seldom4 ,one draws the line1 said he1 at playing for stakes one can't afford to lose4 ,lovell and the ,demon have made it too hot4 ,and ,warde will make it hotter1 said ,john4 ,not he1 replied the ,caterpillar4 ,the ,demon is a wonder4 ,thanks to his brains1 detection is impossible4 ,he suggested that ,lovell's room should be used4 ,warde wouldn't dare to burst in upon one of the ,sixth4 ,and you ought to see their dodgy arrangements4 ,lovell has his young brother on guard4 ,i'm hanged if the ,demon didn't invent a sort of drill1 which they go through with a stop-watch4 ,it's a star performance1 ,i tell you4 ,young ,lovell bolts in4 ,in thirty-five seconds--they have got it down to that--the cards and markers are hidden2 and the four of 'em are jawing away about footer4 ,all the same1 said ,john1 obstinately1 ,warde will be too much for 'em4 ,oh1 rot6 said the ,caterpillar4 ,the ,manor got into the semi-finals of the football matches1 and when the ,school broke up for the ,christmas holidays it was generally conceded that the fortunes of the ancient house were mending4 ,in the ,manor itself ,warde's influence was hardly yet perceptible3 only a very few knew that it was diffusing itself1 percolating into nooks and crevices undreamed of3 the hearts of the ,fourth ,form1 for instance4 ,in ,dirty ,dick's time there had been almost universal slackness4 ,in pupil-room ,rutford read a book2 boys could work or not as they pleased1 provided their tutor was not disturbed4 ,warde1 on the other hand1 made it a point of honour to work with his pupils4 ,his indefatigable energies1 his good humour1 his patience1 were never so conspicuous as when he was coaching duffers4 ,in other ways he made the boys realize that he was at the ,manor for their advantage1 not his own4 ,the gardens and park were kept strictly private by ,dirty ,dick4 ,warde threw them open3 a favour hardly appreciated in the whiter quarter1 but the ,house admitted that it would be awfully jolly in the summer to lie under the trees far from the crowd4 ,in a word--a privilege4 ,upon the last ,saturday1 to ,john's delight1 ,desmond asked him to spend a week in ,eaton ,square4 ,john had paid two visits to ,white ,ladies2 he was now about to experience something entirely new4 ,white ,ladies and ,verney ,boscobel were typical of the past2 they illustrated the history of the families who had inhabited them4 ,the great world went to ,white ,ladies to see the pictures and the gardens1 the ,gobelin tapestries1 the ,duchess and her guests2 but the same world dined in ,eaton ,square to see ,charles ,desmond4 ,during this visit1 our ,john first learned what miracles one individual may accomplish4 ,at ,white ,ladies1 he had dimly perceived1 as has been said1 the duties and responsibilities imposed upon rank and wealth4 ,in ,eaton ,square he saw more plainly the duties and responsibilities imposed upon a man of great talents4 ,both ,charles ,desmond and the ,duke of ,trent were hard workers1 but the labours of the duke seemed to ,john 7and to other wise persons7 drab-coloured4 ,charles ,desmond's work1 in contrast1 presented all the colours of the spectrum4 ,john left ,white ,ladies1 thanking his stars that he was not a duke2 he came away from ,eaton ,square filled with the ambition to be ,private ,secretary to the great ,minister4 ,and when ,mr4 ,desmond said to him with his genial smile1 ,well1 young ,john1 ,harry1 ,i hope1 will be my secretary1 and the crutch of my declining years4 ,but what would you like to be8 ,john replied fervently1 ,oh1 sir1 ,i should like to be ,harry's understudy4 ,would you8 ,and then ,john saw the face of his kind host change4 ,the smile faded4 ,mr4 ,desmond had taken his answer as ,john meant it to be taken--seriously4 ,he examined ,john as if he were already a candidate for office4 ,the piercing eyes probed deep4 ,then he said slowly1 ,i should like to have you under me1 ,john4 ,we shall talk of this again1 my boy4 ,my own sons---- ,he paused1 sighed1 and then laughed1 tapping ,john's cheek with his slender1 finely-formed fingers4 ,but he passed on without finishing his sentence4 ,john knew that1 of ,caesar's brothers1 ,hugo1 the eldest1 was ,secretary of ,legation at ,teheran2 ,bill devilled for a famous barrister2 ,lionel wore her ,majesty's livery4 ,strange that none had elected to serve his own father6 ,caesar explained later4 ,you see1 he said1 the dear old governor outshines everybody4 ,hugo and the others felt that under him they would be in eclipse1 for ever and ever--eh8 ,i see1 said ,john1 gravely4 ,yes1 there's something in that4 ,he wants you1 ,caesar4 ,dear old governor6 the other replied4 ,yes--he's keen on that4 ,but ,i hope to make my own little mark4 ,i'd like to have my name on a brass tablet in ,harrow ,chapel2 that would be something4 ,his eyes began to glow and sparkle4 ,next day1 at dinner1 ,rodney's name cropped up4 ,rodney paved the way for ,nelson1 ,mr4 ,desmond observed4 ,i look upon him as one of our greatest ,harrovians4 ,we ought to have a building to ,rodney's memory4 ,i put him before ,peel or ,byron4 ,oh1 ,i say1 father---- ,hot protest from ,caesar4 ,act before word1 ,harry2 practice before precept4 ,rodney was a man of action4 ,i should like to have been ,rodney4 ,i should like to have been ,sheridan1 said ,caesar4 ,i often look at his name on the third panel of the ,fourth ,form ,room4 ,he glanced at his father1 who smiled1 knowing that a delicate compliment was intended1 for enthusiastic admirers had spoken of ,charles ,desmond as the ,richard ,brinsley ,sheridan of the modern ,house of ,commons4 ,the father said curtly-- ,a sky-rocket1 my dear ,harry4 ,then he turned to ,john4 ,and of all our famous ,harrovians whom would you like to take as a pattern1 young ,john8 ,john hesitated4 ,two or three of the guests present were celebrities4 ,amongst them was ,england's greatest critic sitting beside an ambassador4 ,there happened to be a lull in the talk4 ,all looked curiously at ,john4 ,i'd like to be another ,lord ,shaftesbury1 he said slowly4 ,good6 ,capital6 ,mr4 ,desmond nodded his head4 ,i knew him well4 ,he poured out anecdote after anecdote illustrating the character and temperament of the statesman-philanthropist3 his self-sacrifice1 his devotion to an ideal1 his curious exclusiveness1 his refinement1 his faith in an aristocracy never diminished by the indefatigable zeal wherein he laboured to better the condition of the poor4 ,if every rich man were animated by ,shaftesbury's spirit1 said ,mr4 ,desmond1 in conclusion1 extreme poverty would be wiped out of ,england1 and yet we should retain all that makes life charming and profitable4 ,he was no leveller1 save of foul rookeries4 ,first and last he believed in order1 particularly his own--a true nobleman4 ,and the inspiration of his great career came to him on the ,hill4 ,indeed8 said the ,critic4 ,john ,verney will tell you all about it1 said ,mr4 ,desmond1 glancing cheerily at our hero4 ,his was ever the habit to draw out the humblest of his guests4 ,so ,john recited how young ,anthony ,ashley1 standing on the ,hill1 just below the churchyard1 chanced to see a pauper's coffin fall to the ground and burst open1 revealing the pitiful corpse within1 and how he had exclaimed in horror1 ,good heavens6 ,can this be permitted simply because the man was poor and friendless8 ,and how1 then and there1 the boy had sworn to devote his powers to the amelioration of poverty-stricken lives4 ,yes1 said ,mr4 ,desmond4 ,he told me that the next fifteen minutes decided his career4 ,ah1 he succeeded greatly4 ,why1 when ,i was at ,harrow we used to cross from ,waterloo to ,euston through some of the worst slums in the world4 ,you boys can't realize what they looked like4 ,and ,shaftesbury's work and example wiped them out of our civilization4#bg ,when ,john returned to his uncle's house of ,verney ,boscobel 7his home since his father's death71 ,caesar ,desmond accompanied him4 ,then it seemed to ,john that his cup brimmed1 that everything he desired had been granted unto him4 ,verney ,boscobel stood in the heart of the great forest1 one of the few large manors within that splendid demesne4 ,the boys arrived at ,lyndhurst ,road ,station late in the evening1 long after dusk1 and were driven in darkness through ,bartley and ,minstead up to the high-lying moors of ,stoneycross4 ,next morning1 early1 ,john woke his friend1 and opened the shutters4 ,jolly morning1 he said4 ,have a look at the ,forest1 old chap4 ,caesar jumped out of bed1 and drew a long breath4 ,ah6 he exclaimed2 it's fairyland4 ,frost had silvered all things below4 ,above1 motionless upon the blue heavens1 as if still frozen by the icy fingers of a ,december night1 were some aerial transparencies of aqueous vapour1 amethystine in colour1 with edges of white foam4 ,in the east1 obscured1 but not concealed1 by grey mist1 hung the crimson orb of the sun4 ,from it faint rays shot forth1 touching the clouds beneath1 which1 roused1 so to speak1 out of sleep1 drifted lethargically in a southerly direction4 ,underneath the young grey dawn ,a multitude of dense1 white1 fleecy clouds ,were wandering in thick flocks1 444 ,shepherded by the slow1 unwilling wind4 ,desmond drew in his breath1 sighing with purest delight4 ,from the lawns encompassing the house his eyes strayed into a glade of bracken1 gold gleaming through silver--a glade shadowed by noble oaks and beeches1 with one birch tree in the middle of it surpassingly graceful4 ,upon this each delicate bough and spray were outlined sharply against the sky4 ,beyond the glade stretched the moor1 rugged1 bleak1 and treeless1 sloping sharply upward4 ,beyond the moor lay the ,forest--belts of firs darkly purple2 and flanking these the irregular masses of oaks and beeches1 varying in tint from palest lavender to rose and brown1 some still in shadow1 some in ever-increasing glow of sunlight2 not one the same and each in itself containing a thousand differing forms1 yet all harmonious parts of the resplendent whole4 ,i'm so glad you like my home1 said ,john4 ,shall we have a gallop before breakfast8 ,it's only a white frost4 ,so they galloped away into fairyland1 returning with mortal appetites to the oak-panelled dining-hall1 whence a ,verney had ridden forth to join his kinsman1 ,sir ,edmund1 in arms for the ,king upon the distant field of ,edge ,hill4 ,after breakfast the boys explored the quaint old house2 and ,john showed ,caesar the twenty-bore gun1 and promised his guest much rabbit-shooting1 and two days' hunting1 at least1 with the ,new ,forest ,hounds1 and some pike-fishing1 and possibly an encounter with a big grayling--which1 later1 the boys saw walloping about in the ,test above ,broadlands--a splendid fish1 once hooked by ,john1 and lost--a three-pounder1 of course4 ,o golden age6 ,you will never forget that ,christmas--will you1 ,john8 ,if you live to be ,prime ,minister of ,england1 the memory of those first days alone with your friend will remain green when the colour has been sucked by ,time out of everything else4 ,fifty years hence1 maybe1 you will see ,caesar's curly head and his blue eyes full of fun and life1 and you will hear his joyous laughter--peal upon peal--echoing through the corridors of ,verney ,boscobel4 ,your mother took him to her heart--didn't she8 ,and all the servants1 from butler to scullery maid1 voted him the jolliest1 cheeriest boy that ever came to ,hampshire4 ,why1 ,mrs4 ,osman1 the cook1 with a temper like tinder from too much heat1 refused flatly to let ,caesar make toffee in her kitchen4 ,but just then a barrel-organ turned up1 and before she could open her mouth1 ,caesar was dancing a polka with her2 and after that he could make toffee1 or hay1 or anything else1 wherever and whenever he pleased4 ,when they returned to the ,manor1 ,john hoped and prayed that this blessed intimacy would continue4 ,it did--for a time4 ,the three boys got their remove1 and found themselves in the ,second ,fifth1 where they proposed to linger till after the summer term4 ,lovell and ,scaife seemed inseparable1 and bridge began again1 apparently an inexhaustible source of amusement and excitement4 ,then came the ,torpid matches2 and ,john1 as ,lawrence predicted1 was captain of the cock-house ,eleven--the first great victory of the ,manorites4 ,during the term1 ,scaife and ,desmond won no races1 being in age betwixt and between winners of ,upper and ,lower ,school races4 ,scaife refused to train4 ,desmond took a few runs1 but abandoned them for racquets1 the chief game in the ,easter term1 but only played regularly by boys whose purses are well lined4 ,john confined his attention to ,squash4 ,caesar played ,harder with the ,demon4 ,the three worked together as of yore4 ,john now perceived that ,scaife had joined a clique pledged to fight ,reform4 ,it was in the air that something might happen4 ,warde eyed the big fellows shrewdly1 as if measuring weapons4 ,he confounded some by asking them to dine with him4 ,at dessert he would talk of sport1 or games1 or politics--everything1 in fine1 except shop4 ,the more worthy came away from these pleasant evenings with rather a hangdog expression1 as if they had been receiving goods under false pretences4 ,john and ,desmond were made especially welcome4 ,and1 after dinner1 ,john1 whose voice had not yet cracked1 would sing1 to ,mrs4 ,warde's accompaniment1 such songs as ,o ,bay of ,dublin1 my heart yu're throublin'1 or ,think of me sometimes1 or ,handel's ,where'er you walk4 ,the ,caterpillar made no secret of a passion for ,iris ,warde1 and became a dangerous rival of one of the younger masters4 ,he talked to ,warde about genealogies and hunting1 topics of conversation in which they had a common interest outside ,harrow4 ,john guessed that ,warde was making an effort to secure ,egerton1 who1 for his part1 took the world as he found it1 consorting alike with ,john and his friends1 and also with ,lovell and ,co4 ,from the ,caterpillar ,john learned that ,beaumont-,greene had begun to play bridge4 ,scaife and ,lovell are skinning the beast1 he added confidentially4 ,green he is1 and no error4 ,ructions soon1 said ,john4 ,i don't believe it1 replied the ,caterpillar4 ,take my word1 ,warde knows what he's about4 ,he's playing up to the younger members of the house--you1 ,caesar1 and you1 ,jonathan--and he's letting the others slide4 ,giving 'em rope1 said ,john1 to hang 'emselves4 ,well1 now1 there's something in that4 ,that hadn't occurred to me4 ,what8 ,you think that he's eggin' 'em on1 eh8 ,eggin' 'em on6 ,i think that1 if ,i were you1 ,caterpillar1 ,i'd cut loose from that gang4 ,they've made it rather warm for you4 ,i don't care a hang about that4 ,as a matter of fact1 ,john's life had been made very unpleasant by the fast set4 ,upon the other hand1 the ,duffer1 ,fluff1 and many ,lower ,school boys reckoned him their leader and adviser4 ,and--such is the irony of ,fate--,john's popularity with friends caused him more anxiety than unpopularity with enemies4 ,towards the end of the term1 ,desmond spoke of applying to ,warde for a certain room to be shared by himself and ,john4 ,john had to decline an arrangement desired passionately1 because he had indiscreetly promised not to chuck the ,duffer4 ,caesar dropped the subject4 ,after this1 ,john noticed a slight coldness4 ,he wondered whether ,caesar were jealous1 jealousy being ,john's own besetting sin4 ,finally1 he came to the conclusion that his friend might be not jealous but unreasonable4 ,in any case1 during the last three weeks of the term1 ,john saw less of ,caesar1 and more--more1 indeed1 than he wanted--of the ,duffer and ,fluff4 ,and then came the paralysing news that ,desmond had promised to spend ten days with ,scaife's people1 that a ,professional had been hired1 and that both boys were going to give their undivided energies to cricket4 ,afterwards1 ,john often wondered whether ,scaife1 with truly demoniac insight into ,desmond's character1 had let him go1 so as to seize him with more tenacious grasp when an opportunity presented itself4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as soon as ,john saw ,caesar after the ,easter holidays1 he knew that1 temporarily1 at any rate1 he had lost his friend4 ,caesar1 indeed1 was demonstratively glad to see him1 and dragged him off next day to walk to a certain bridge where a few short weeks before the boys had carved their names upon the wooden railing1 surrounding them with a circle and the ,crossed ,arrows4 ,but ,caesar could talk of nothing else but ,scaife and cricket4 ,they had both come on tremendously4 ,scaife's people had a splendid cricket-ground4 ,poor ,john6 ,if he could have submerged the ,scaife cricket-ground and the ,scaife family by nodding his head1 ,i fear that he would have nodded it1 although he told himself that he was an ungenerous beast and cad not to sympathize with his pal4 ,and before the boys got back to the ,manor1 ,caesar said1 not without a blush1 that he had learned to play bridge4 ,i shall teach you1 ,jonathan4 ,no4 ,i say--yes4 ,you're not going to play with ,lovell and that beast ,beaumont-,greene8 ,the ,demon says no cards this term1 when lock-up's late4 ,and look here1 ,jonathan1 ,i've made the ,demon promise to make the peace between ,lovell and you4 ,you'll play for the ,house1 of course1 and we must all pull together1 as ,warde says4 ,john might have smiled at this opportune mention of ,warde1 but sense of humour was swamped in apprehension4 ,desmond went on to talk about ,scaife4 ,he'll make 'em sit up1 you see6 ,the 'pro4' we had is the finest cover-point in ,england4 ,i never saw such a chap4 ,he dashes at the ball4 ,hit it as hard as you please1 he runs in1 picks it up1 and snaps it back to the wicket-keeper as easy as if he was playing pitch and toss4 ,and1 by ,jove6 the ,demon can do it4 ,you wait4 ,i never saw any fellow like him4 ,he's only just sixteen1 and he'll get his ,flannels4 ,you needn't shake your old head1 ,i know he will4 ,and we must work like blazes to get ours next summer4 ,john discounted much of this talk1 but he soon found out that ,caesar had not overestimated the ,demon's activity4 ,the draw at ,lord's in the previous summer had been attributed1 by such experts as ,webbe and ,hornby1 to bad fielding4 ,the ,demon told ,john1 with his hateful1 derisive smile1 that he had remembered this when he selected a pro4 ,not for the first time1 ,john realized ,scaife's overpowering ability to achieve his own ends4 ,who1 but ,scaife1 would have made fielding the principal object of his holiday practice8 ,within a fortnight1 ,scaife was put into the ,sixth ,form game4 ,desmond found himself--thanks to ,scaife--playing in the ,first ,fifth game2 but ,john was placed in ,second ,fifth ,beta4 ,fortunately1 he found an ally in ,warde1 who had a private pitch in the small park surrounding the ,manor1 where he coached the weaker players of his ,house4 ,john told himself that he ought to get his cap2 but1 as the weeks slipped by1 despite several creditable performances1 he became aware that the cap was withheld1 although it had been given to ,fluff4 ,there were five vacancies in the ,house ,eleven1 but1 according to precedent1 these need not be filled up till after the last ,house-match1 and possibly not even then4 ,in a word1 ,john might play for the ,house1 and even distinguish himself1 without receiving the coveted distinction4 ,how sore ,john felt6 ,about the end of ,may he noticed that something was amiss with ,caesar4 ,generally they walked together on ,sunday1 but not always4 ,during these walks1 as has been said1 ,caesar did most of the talking4 ,now1 of a sudden1 he became a half-hearted listener1 and to ,john's repeated question1 ,what's up8 he would reply irritably1 ,oh1 don't bother--nothing4 ,finally1 ,john heard from the ,caterpillar that ,caesar was playing bridge1 and losing4 ,they don't play often1 the ,caterpillar added2 but on wet afternoons they make up for lost time4 ,caesar is outclassed4 ,i've told him1 but he's mad keen about the game4 ,later1 ,john learned from the same source that ,sunday afternoon was a bridge-fixture with ,lovell and ,co4 ,at any rate1 ,caesar did not play on ,sunday4 ,that was something4 ,upon the following ,saturday1 after making an honest fifteen runs and taking three wickets in a closely-contested game1 ,john was running into the ,yard just before six ,bill1 when ,lovell stopped him4 ,you can get your 'cap1' he said coldly4 ,oh1 thanks2 thanks awfully6 ,caesar received this agreeable news with indifference4 ,you ought to have had it before ,fluff1 he growled4 ,to-morrow1 we'll walk to ,john ,lyon's farm1 said ,john1 eagerly4 ,engaged1 ,caesar replied4 ,oh1 ,caesar1 you're--you're---- ,well8 ,you're going to play bridge8 ,yes4 ,what of it8 ,it's only once in a way4 ,i do bar cards on ,sunday2 but there are reasons4 ,what reasons8 ,reasons which--er--,i'll keep to myself4 ,all right1 said ,john1 stiffly1 but with a breaking heart4 ,next day he asked ,fluff to walk with him1 but ,fluff was walking with some one else4 ,the ,duffer had letters to write1 and stigmatized walking as a beastly grind4 ,john determined to walk by himself2 but as he was leaving the ,manor he met the ,caterpillar1 a tremendous buck1 arrayed in his best--patent-leather boots1 white waistcoat1 a flower in his buttonhole4 ,where are you off to1 ,jonathan8 ,to ,preston4 ,you'd better come1 ,caterpillar4 ,i never walk far in these boots4 ,peal made 'em4 ,change 'em1 can't you8 ,right4 ,while he was absent1 ,john seriously considered the propriety of taking ,egerton into his confidence4 ,sincerely attached to ,egerton1 and valuing his advice1 he knew1 none the less1 that the ,caterpillar looked at everybody and everything with the eyes of a colonel in the ,guards4 ,to tell ,colonel ,egerton's son that one's heart was lacerated because ,caesar ,desmond was playing bridge on ,sunday seemed to invite jeers4 ,and1 besides1 that wasn't the real reason4 ,john felt wretched because the ,sunday walk had been sacrificed to ,moloch4 ,presently ,egerton came downstairs1 spick and span1 but not quite so smart4 ,the boys walked quickly1 talking of cricket4 ,the ,demon'll get his ,flannels1 said ,egerton4 ,i'm glad ,lovell gave you your cap1 ,jonathan2 you deserved it a month ago4 ,it wasn't my fault you didn't get it at the beginning of the term4 ,i'm sure of that1 said ,john1 gratefully4 ,you don't look particularly bucked-up4 ,a grin improves your face1 my dear fellow4 ,at this ,john burst into explosive speech4 ,those beasts had got hold of ,caesar4 ,the ,caterpillar stared2 he had never heard ,john let himself go4 ,john's vocabulary surprised him4 ,whew-w-w6 he whistled4 ,gad6 ,jonathan1 you do pile on the agony4 ,caesar's all right4 ,don't worry4 ,he's not all right4 ,i thought ,caesar had backbone1 ,i---- ,hold on1 said the ,caterpillar1 gravely4 ,john thought he was about to be rebuked for disloyalty to a pal1 an abominable sin in the ,caterpillar's eyes4 ,well8 said ,john4 ,i'm going to tell you something1 said ,egerton4 ,but you must swear not to give me away4 ,i'll swear4 ,you're a good little cove1 ,jonathan1 but sometimes you smell just a little bit of--er--bread and butter4 ,keep cool4 ,personally1 ,i would sooner that you1 at your age1 did smell of bread and butter than whisky4 ,well1 you think that ,caesar is going straight to the bow-wows because he plays bridge4 ,you accuse him in your own little mind of feebleness1 and so forth4 ,yes1 just so4 ,and it's doosid unfair to ,caesar1 because he's given up his walk to-day entirely on your account4 ,ah6 ,i thought that would make you sit up4 ,my account8 ,john repeated blankly4 ,yes2 ,caesar would be furious if he knew that ,i was peaching1 but he won't know1 and instead of this--er--trifling affair weakening your good opinion of your pal1 it will strengthen it4 ,oh1 do go on1 ,caterpillar4 ,yesterday ,i was in ,lovell's room4 ,we were talking of the first ,house match4 ,scaife and ,caesar were there4 ,i took it upon myself to say you ought to be given your 'cap'2 and then ,caesar burst out1 ',oh yes1 ,lovell1 do give him his cap4 ,if you knew how he'd slaved to earn it4' ,but ,lovell only laughed4 ,and then ,scaife chipped in1 ',look here1 ,caesar1' he said1 'do ,i understand that you put this thing1 which after all is none of your business or mine1 as a favour which ,lovell might do you8' ,and ,caesar answered1 ',you can put it that way1 if you like1 ,demon4' ,and then ,scaife laughed4 ,i don't like ,scaife's laugh1 ,jonathan4 ,i loathe it1 said ,john4 ,well1 when ,scaife laughed1 ,lovell looked first at him and then at ,caesar4 ,it came to me that ,lovell was primed to say something4 ,at any rate1 he turned to ,caesar1 and said slowly1 ',tit for tat4 ,if ,i do this for you1 will you do something for me8' ,and ,caesar spoke up as usual1 without a second's hesitation1 ',of course ,i will4' ,and then ,scaife laughed again1 just as ,lovell said1 ',all right1 ,i'll give ,verney his cap before tea1 and you will make a fourth at bridge with us to-morrow afternoon4' ,oh1 oh6 groaned ,john4 ,dash it all1 don't look so wretched4 ,there's not much more4 ,caesar hesitated a moment4 ,then he said quietly enough1 ',done6' ,personally1 ,i don't think ,lovell was playing--well--cricket1 but ,i do know that he wanted a fourth at bridge1 because ,i'd just refused to make that fourth myself4 ,they play too high for me4 ,it's awfully good of you to have told me this4 ,pray don't mention it6 ,hullo6 ,what's up now8 ,john's face was very red1 and his fists were clenched4 ,nothing1 he gasped4 ,only this--,i'd like to kill ,scaife4 ,i'd like to cut off his infernal head4 ,the ,caterpillar laughed indulgently4 ,jonathan1 you're a rum 'un4 ,you think it wicked to play cards on ,sunday2 but you would like--he imitated ,john's trembling1 passionate voice--you would like to cut off ,scaife's infernal head4 ,yes--,i would1 said ,john4 ,that same week he had a memorable talk with ,warde2 recorded because it illustrates ,warde's methods1 and because1 ultimately1 it came to be regarded by ,john as the turning-point of his intellectual life4 ,since he had taken the ,lower ,remove1 ,john's energies of mind and body had been concentrated upon improving himself at games4 ,vaguely aware that some of the ,school-prizes were within his grasp1 he had not deemed them worth the winning4 ,to him1 therefore1 ,warde abruptly began-- ,you pride yourself upon being straight--eh1 ,verney8 ,why1 yes1 said ,john1 meeting ,warde's blue eyes not without misgiving4 ,well1 to me1 you're about as straight as a note of interrogation4 ,i never see you without saying to myself1 ',is ,verney going to bury his talents in the cricket-ground8' ,oh6 ,some parents1 too many of them1 send their boys here to make a few nice friends1 to play games1 to scrape up the ,school with a remove once a year4 ,that1 ,i take it1 is not what ,mrs4 ,verney wants8 ,n--no1 sir4 ,you ought to be in the ,sixth--and you know it4 ,twice1 or oftener1 you have deliberately taken things easy1 because you wanted a soft time of it during the summer term1 and because you wished to remain in the same form with ,desmond1 who1 intellectually1 is your--inferior4 ,is that square dealing with your people8 ,john was silent1 but red of countenance4 ,warde went on1 more vehemently-- ,i know all about your co-operative system of work4 ,i have a harder name for it4 ,and ,i know just what you can do1 and ,i want to see you do it1 for your own sake1 for the sake of ,mrs4 ,verney1 and for the ,hill's sake4 ,i've pushed you on at cricket a bit1 haven't ,i8 ,yes4 ,you owe me something4 ,pay up by entering for a ,school-prize1 and winning it6 ,a ,school-prize8 ,yes2 ,lord ,charles ,russell's ,shakespeare ,medal4 ,the exam4 is next ,october4 ,i'll coach you4 ,is it a bargain8 ,he held out his hand1 staring frankly1 but piercingly1 into ,john's eyes4 ,all right1 sir1 said ,john1 after a pause4 ,i'll try4 ,and buck up for your remove4 ,john smiled feebly1 and sighed4 ,,footnotes3 #bg ,there is a tablet on the wall of the ,old ,schools which bears the following inscription3--,near this spot ,,anthony ,,ashley ,,cooper ,afterwards the #gth ,earl of ,shaftesbury1 ,k4,g4 ,while yet a boy in ,harrow ,school ,saw with shame and indignation ,the pauper's funeral ,which helped to awaken his lifelong ,devotion to the service of the poor ,and the oppressed4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,black ,spots ,the ,avon bears to endless years ,a magic voice along1 ,where ,shakespeare strayed in ,stratford's shade1 ,and waked the world to song4 ,we heard the music soft and wild1 ,we thrilled to pulses new2 ,the winds that reared the ,avon's child ,were ,herga's#bh nurses too4 ,that evening ,john told ,caesar what ,warde had said to him1 and then added1 ,i mean to have a shot at 'the ,swan of ,avon4' ,caesar looked glum4 ,but how about the remove8 ,we'd agreed to stay in the ,second ,fifth till ,christmas4 ,it's the jolliest form in the school4 ,if we put our backs--and heads--into ,trials1#bi we can easily get a remove4 ,blow ,trials4 ,john turned aside4 ,look here1 ,jonathan1 said ,caesar1 eagerly4 ,to please me1 give up your swatting scheme4 ,we can't spoil the end of this jolly term4 ,he caught hold of ,john's arm1 squeezing it affectionately4 ,never had our hero been so sorely tempted4 ,we must stick together1 you and ,i1 entreated ,desmond4 ,no1 said ,john4 ,as you please1 ,caesar replied coldly4 ,a detestable week followed4 ,john tackled his ,shakespeare alone1 working doggedly4 ,then1 quite suddenly1 the giant gripped him4 ,he had always possessed a remarkable memory1 and as a child he had learnt by heart many passages out of the plays 7a fact well known to the crafty ,warde72 but these he had swallowed without digesting them4 ,now he became keen1 the keener because he met with violent opposition from the ,caterpillar and the ,duffer1 who were of opinion that ,shakespeare was a back number4 ,john won the prize1 and on the following ,speech ,day saw his mother's face radiant with pride and happiness1 as he received the ,medal from the ,head ,master's hands4 ,you look as pleased as if ,i'd got my ,flannels1 said ,john4 ,surely this ,medal is a greater thing8 ,oh1 mum1 you don't know much about boys4 ,perhaps not1 but1 her eyes twinkled1 ,i know something about ,shakespeare1 and he's a friend that will stand by you when cricketing days are over4 ,if you're pleased1 so am ,i1 said ,john4 99 99 99 99 99 ,scaife got his ,flannels2 and at ,lord's his fielding was mentioned as the finest ever seen in a ,public ,school match4 ,john witnessed the game from the top of the ,trent coach1 and he stopped at ,trent ,house4 ,but he didn't enjoy his exeat1 because he knew that ,caesar was in trouble4 ,caesar owed ,scaife thirteen pounds1 and the fact that this debt could not be paid without confession to his father was driving him distracted4 ,scaife1 it is true1 laughed genially at ,caesar's distress4 ,settle when you please1 he said1 but for ,heaven's sake1 don't peach to your governor6 ,mine would laugh and pay up2 yours will pay up and make you swear not to touch another card while you're at ,harrow4 ,just what he will do1 ,caesar told ,john4 ,and the best thing that could happen1 ,john said bluntly4 ,if you don't cut loose now1 it will be much worse next term4 ,rot1 ,desmond had replied4 ,i'm paying the usual bill for learning a difficult game4 ,that's how the ,demon puts it4 ,but ,i've a turn for bridge1 and now ,i can hold my own4 ,i'm better than ,beaumont-,greene1 and quite as good as ,lovell4 ,the ,demon1 of course1 is in another class4 ,and therefore he oughtn't to play with you4 ,it's robbery4 ,now you're talking bosh4 ,the ,eton and ,harrow match ended in another draw4 ,time and ,scaife's fielding saved ,harrow from defeat4 ,the fact of a draw had significance4 ,a draw spelled compromise4 ,john had indulged in a superstitious fancy common enough to persons older than he4 ,if ,harrow wins1 he put it to himself1 ,caesar will triumph2 if ,eton wins1 ,caesar will lose4 ,when the match proved a draw1 ,john drew the conclusion that his pal would funk telling the truth2 an apprehension presently confirmed4 ,i didn't tell the governor1 said ,caesar1 when ,john and he met4 ,my eldest brother1 ,hugo1 is coming home1 and ,i shall screw it out of him4 ,he's a good sort1 and he's going to marry a girl who is simply rolling4 ,he'll fork out1 ,i know he will4 ,i feel awfully cheery4 ,i don't1 said ,john4 ,he had good reason to fear that ,caesar and he were drifting apart4 ,now he worked by himself4 ,and his voice had broken4 ,a small thing this1 but ,john was sensible that his singing voice touched corners in ,caesar's soul to which his speaking voice never penetrated4 ,more1 ,caesar and he had agreed to differ upon points of conscience other than card-playing4 ,and every point of conscientious difference increases the distance between true friends in geometrical progression4 ,poor ,jonathan6 ,but we have his grateful testimony that ,warde stood by him4 ,and ,warde made him see life at ,harrow 7and beyond7 in a new light4 ,warde1 indeed1 decomposed the light into primary colours1 a sort of experiment in moral chemistry1 and not without fascination for an intelligent boy4 ,sometimes1 it became difficult to follow ,warde--members of the ,alpine ,club said that often it was impossible--because he jumped where others crawled4 ,and he clipped words1 phrases1 thoughts so uncommonly short4 ,you're beginning to see1 ,verney1 eh8 ,scales crumbling away1 my boy4 ,and strong sunshine hurts the eyes--at first4 ,black spots are dancing before you4 ,i know the little devils4 ,or again-- ,this remove will wipe a bit more off the debt1 won't it8 ,ha1 ha6 ,i've made you reckon up what you owe ,mrs4 ,verney4 ,but there are others---- ,i'm awfully grateful to you1 sir4 ,never mind me4 ,what do you mean1 sir8 ,new ,testament2 ,matthew2 twenty-fifth chapter--,i forget verse4#cj ,look it up4 ,christ answers your question4 ,make life easier and happier for some of the new boys4 ,pass on gratitude4 ,set it a-rolling4 ,see8 ,john had appetite for such talk1 but ,warde never gave much of it--half a dozen sentences1 a smile1 a nod of the head1 a keen look1 and a striding off elsewhere4 ,but when ,john repeated what ,warde had said to ,caesar1 that young gentleman looked uneasy4 ,warde means well1 he said2 and he's doing wonders with the ,manor1 but ,i hope he's not going to make a sort of tin parson of you8 ,as if he could6 said ,john4 ,you're miles ahead of me1 ,jonathan4 ,no1 no4 ,i say--yes4 ,caesar1 said ,john1 in desperation1 perhaps we are sliding apart1 but it isn't my fault1 indeed it isn't4 ,and think what it means to--me4 ,you've heaps of friends1 and ,i never was first1 ,i know that4 ,you can do without me1 but ,i can't do without you4 ,dear old ,jonathan4 ,caesar held out his hand1 smiling4 ,i'm a jealous ass1 ,caesar4 ,and1 as for calling me a parson1 he laughed scornfully1 why1 ,i'd sooner walk with you1 even if you were the worst sinner in the world1 than with any saint that ever lived4 ,the feeling in ,john's voice drove ,caesar's gay smile from his face4 ,did he realize1 possibly1 for the first time1 that if ,john and he remained friends1 he might drag ,john down8 ,suddenly his face brightened4 ,jonathan1 he said gravely1 to please you1 ,i'll not touch a card again this term1 and we'll have such good times these last three weeks that you'll forget the rest of it4 ,and what delights can equal those ,that stir the spirit's inner deeps1 ,when one that loves but knows not reaps ,a truth from one that loves and knows8 ,the ,manor played in the cock-house match at cricket1 being but barely beaten by ,damer's4 ,everybody admitted that this glorious state of affairs was due to ,warde's coaching of the weaker members of the ,eleven4 ,scaife fielded brilliantly1 and ,john1 watching him1 said to himself that at such times the ,demon was irresistible4 ,warde invited the ,eleven to dinner1 and spoke of nothing but football1 much to every one's amusement4 ,he's right1 said the ,caterpillar2 we're not cock-house at cricket this year1 but we may be at footer4 ,john spent his holidays abroad with his mother1 and when the ,school reassembled1 he found himself in the ,first ,fifth alone4 ,with satisfaction he reflected that this was ,lovell's last term1 and ,beaumont-,greene's1 too4 ,warde said a few words at first lock-up4 ,we are going to be cock-house at footer1 ,i hope1 he began1 and next term ,scaife will show the ,school what he can do at racquets2 but ,i want more4 ,i'm a glutton4 ,how about work1 eh8 ,lot o' slacking last term4 ,is it honest8 ,you fellows cost your people a deal of money4 ,and it's well spent1 if1 if you tackle everything in school life as you tackled ,mr4 ,damer's last ,july4 ,that's all4 ,he's giving you what he gave me1 said ,john4 ,good fellow1 ,warde1 observed the ,caterpillar2 in his room every night after prayers to mug up his form work4 ,what8 ,murmurs of incredulity4 ,fact1 'pon my word4 ,and he never refuses a 'con' to a fellow who wants it4 ,he's paid for it1 sneered ,scaife4 ,the other boys nodded2 enthusiasm was chilled4 ,yes1 of course ,warde was paid for it4 ,john caught ,scaife's eye4 ,you don't believe that he's in love with his job1 as he told us8 ,skittles--that6 ,john looked solemn4 ,he had a bomb to throw4 ,skittles1 is it8 he echoed4 ,the other boys turned to listen4 ,do you think he'd take a better paid billet8 ,scaife laughed derisively4 ,of course he would1 like a shot4 ,but he's not likely to get the chance4 ,he has just been offered the ,head ,mastership of ,wellborough4 ,it's worth about four thousand a year4 ,pooh6 who told you that8 ,caesar's father4 ,it's true1 said ,caesar4 ,and he refused it1 said ,john1 triumphantly4 ,then he's a fool1 said ,scaife1 angrily4 ,he marched out of the room1 slamming the door4 ,but the ,manor1 as a corporate body1 when it heard of ,warde's refusal to accept promotion1 was profoundly impressed4 ,thus the term began with good resolutions upon the part of the better sort4 ,very soon1 however1 with the shortening days1 bridge began again4 ,john made no protest1 afraid of losing his pal4 ,he called himself coward1 and considered the expediency of learning bridge1 so as to be in the same boat with ,caesar4 ,caesar told him that he had not asked his brother ,hugo for the thirteen pounds4 ,hugo1 it seemed1 had come back from ,teheran with a decoration and the air of an ambassador4 ,he spoke of his services4 ,i knew that ,hugo would make me swear not to play again1 said ,caesar to ,john1 and naturally ,i want to get some of the plunder back4 ,i am getting it back4 ,i raked thirty bob out of ,beaumont-,greene last night4 ,john said nothing4 ,presently it came to his ears that ,caesar was getting more plunder back4 ,the ,caterpillar1 an agreeable gossip1 because he condemned nothing except dirt and low breeding1 told ,john that ,beaumont-,greene was losing many shekels4 ,and about the middle of ,october ,caesar said to ,john-- ,what do you think1 old ,jonathan8 ,i've jolly nearly paid off the ,demon4 ,and you wanted me to chuck the thing4 ,nice sort of counsellor4 ,beaumont-,greene must have lost a pot8 ,you bet1 said ,caesar2 but that doesn't keep me awake at night4 ,he has got the ,imperishable ,seamless ,whaleskin ,boot behind him4 ,next time ,john met ,beaumont-,greene he eyed him sharply4 ,the big fellow was pulpier than ever2 his complexion the colour of skilly4 ,yes2 he looked much worried4 ,perhaps the ,imperishable ,boot lasted too long4 ,and1 nowadays1 so many fellows wore shoes4 ,thus ,john to himself4 ,beaumont-,greene1 indeed1 not only looked worried1 he was worried1 hideously worried1 and with excellent reason4 ,he had an absurdly1 wickedly1 large allowance1 but not more than a sovereign of it was left4 ,more1 he owed ,scaife twenty pounds1 and ,lovell another ten4 ,both these young gentlemen had hinted plainly that they wanted to see their money4 ,i must have the stuff now1 said ,lovell1 when ,beaumont-,greene asked for time4 ,i'm going to shoot a lot this ,christmas1 and the governor makes me pay for my cartridges4 ,so does mine1 said ,scaife1 grinning4 ,he was quite indifferent to the money1 but he liked to see ,beaumont-,greene squirm4 ,he continued suavely1 ,you ought to settle before you leave4 ,ain't your people in ,rome8 ,yes4 ,and you're going to join 'em4 ,why1 hang it1 some ,dago may stick a knife into you1 and where should we be then--hey8 ,your governor wouldn't settle a gambling debt1 would he8 ,this was too true4 ,scaife grinned diabolically4 ,he knew that ,beaumont-,greene's father was endeavouring to establish a credit-account with the ,recording ,angel4 ,originally a ,nonconformist1 he had joined the ,church of ,england after he had made his fortune 7cf4 ,shavings from the ,workshops of our ,merchant ,princes1 which appeared in the pages of ,prattle74 ,then1 the famous inventor of the ,imperishable ,boot had taken to endowing churches2 and he published pamphlets denouncing drink and gambling1 pamphlets sent to his son at ,harrow1 who 7with an eye to backsheesh7 had praised his sire's prose somewhat indiscreetly4 ,you shall have your confounded money1 said ,beaumont-,greene1 violently4 ,thanks1 said ,scaife1 sweetly4 ,when we asked you to join us 7slight emphasis on the us71 we knew that we could rely on you to settle promptly4 ,the ,demon grinned for the third time1 knowing that he had touched a weak spot2 not a difficult thing to do1 if you touched the big fellow at all4 ,a young man of spirit would have told his creditors to go to ,jericho4 ,beaumont-,greene might have said1 ,you have skinned me a bit4 ,i don't whine about that2 ,i mean to pay up2 but you'll have to wait till ,i have the money4 ,i'm stoney now4 ,scaife and ,lovell must have accepted this as an ultimatum4 ,but ,beaumont-,greene's wretched pride interfered4 ,he had posed as a sort of ,golden ,youth4 ,to confess himself pinchbeck seemed an unspeakable humiliation4 ,men have been known to take to drink under the impending sword of dishonour4 ,beaumont-,greene swallowed instead large quantities of food at the ,creameries2 and then wrote to his father1 saying that he would like to have a cheque for thirty pounds by return of post4 ,he was leaving ,harrow1 he pointed out1 and he wished to give his friends some handsome presents4 ,young ,desmond1 for instance1 the great ,minister's son1 had been kind to him 7,beaumont-,greene prided himself upon this touch71 and ,scaife1 too1 he was under obligations to ,scaife1 who would be a power by-and-by1 and so forth4444 ,to confess frankly that he owed thirty pounds gambled away at cards required more cheek than our stout youth possessed4 ,his father refused to play bridge on principle1 because he could never remember how many trumps were out4 ,the father answered by return of post1 but enclosed no cheque4 ,he pointed out to his dear ,thomas that giving handsome presents with another's money was an objectionable habit4 ,thomas received a large1 possibly too large an allowance4 ,he must exercise self-denial1 if he wished to make presents4 ,his quarterly allowance would be paid as usual next ,christmas1 and not a minute before4 ,there would be time then to reconsider the propriety of giving young ,desmond a suitable gift4444 ,common sense told ,beaumont-,greene to show this letter to ,scaife and ,lovell4 ,but he saw the ,demon's derisive grin1 and recoiled from it4 ,at this moment temptation seized him relentlessly4 ,beaumont-,greene never resisted temptation4 ,for fun1 so he put it1 he would write the sort of letter which his father ought to have written1 and which would have put him at his ease4 ,it ran thus-- ,,my ,,dear ,,thomas1 ,no doubt you will want to give some leaving presents1 and a spread or two4 ,i should like my son to do the thing handsomely4 ,you know better than ,i how much this will cost1 but ,i am prepared to send you1 say1 twenty-five or thirty pounds for such a purpose4 ,or1 you can have the bills sent to me4 ,with love1 ,your affectionate father1 ,,george ,,beaumont-,,greene4 ,beaumont-,greene1 like the immortal ,mr4 ,toots1 rather fancied himself as a letter-writer4 ,the longer he looked at his effusion1 the more he liked it4 ,his handwriting was not unlike his father's--modelled1 indeed1 upon it4 ,with a little careful manipulation of a few letters----6 ,the day was cold1 but ,beaumont-,greene suddenly found himself in a perspiration4 ,none the less1 it seemed easier to forge a letter than to avow himself penniless4 ,detection8 ,impossible6 ,two or three tradesmen in ,harrow would advance the money if he showed them this letter4 ,next ,christmas they would be paid4 ,within a quarter of an hour he made up his mind to cross the ,rubicon1 and crossed it with undue haste4 ,he forged the letter1 placed it in an envelope which had come from ,rome1 and went to his tailor's4 ,under pretext of looking at patterns1 he led the man aside4 ,you can do me a favour1 he began1 in his usual1 heavy1 hesitating manner4 ,with pleasure1 said the tradesman1 smiling4 ,then1 seeing an opportunity1 he added1 ,you are leaving ,harrow1 ,mr4 ,beaumont-,greene1 but ,i trust1 sir1 you will not take your custom with you4 ,we have always tried to please you4 ,beaumont-,greene1 in his turn1 saw opportunity4 ,yes1 yes1 he answered4 ,then he produced the letter1 envelope and all4 ,i have here a letter from my father1 who is in ,rome4 ,i'll read it to you4 ,no2 you can read it yourself4 ,the tailor read the letter4 ,very handsome1 he replied2 very handsome indeed1 sir4 ,your father is a true gentleman4 ,it happens1 said ,beaumont-,greene1 more easily1 for the thing seemed to be simpler than he had anticipated--it happens that ,i do want to make some presents1 but ,i'm not going to buy them here4 ,i shall send to the ,stores1 you know4 ,i have their catalogue4 ,just so1 sir4 ,excellent place the ,stores for nearly everything2 except1 perhaps1 my line4 ,i should not think of buying clothes there4 ,but at the ,stores one must pay cash4 ,i've not got the cash1 and my father is in ,rome4 ,i should like to have the money to-day1 if possible4 ,will you oblige me8 ,the tradesman hesitated4 ,in the past there have been grave scandals connected with lending money to boys4 ,and ,harrow tradesmen are at the mercy of the ,head ,master4 ,if a school-tailor be put out of bounds1 he can put up his shutters at once4 ,still---- ,i'll let you have the money1 said the man1 eyeing ,beaumont-,greene keenly4 ,thanks4 ,the tailor observed a slight flush and a sudden intake of breath--signs which stirred suspicion4 ,will you take it in notes1 sir8 ,here ,beaumont-,greene made his first blunder4 ,he had an ill-defined idea that paper was dangerous stuff4 ,in gold1 please4 ,he forgot that gold is not easily sent in a letter4 ,the tailor hesitated1 but he had gone too far to back out4 ,very well1 sir4 ,i have not twenty-five pounds---- ,thirty1 if you please4 ,i shall want thirty4 ,i have not quite that amount here1 but ,i can get it4 ,when the man came back with a small canvas bag in his hand1 ,beaumont-,greene had pocketed the letter4 ,he received the money1 counted it1 thanked the tailor1 and turned to go4 ,if you please1 sir---- ,yes8 ,i should like to keep your father's letter1 sir4 ,as a form of receipt1 sir4 ,when you settle ,i'll return it4 ,if--if anything should happen to--to you1 sir1 where would ,i be8 ,beaumont-,greene's temper showed itself4 ,you all talk as if ,i was on my death-bed1 he said4 ,the tailor stared4 ,others1 then1 had suggested to this large1 unwholesome youth the possibility of premature decease4 ,not at all1 sir1 but we do live in the valley of shadders4 ,my wife's step-father1 as fine and hearty a specimen as you'd wish to see1 sir1 was taken only last month2 at breakfast1 too1 as he was chipping his third egg4 ,beaumont-,greene said loftily1 ,blow your wife's step-father and his third egg4 ,here's the letter4 ,he flung down the letter and marched out of the shop4 ,the tradesman looked at him1 shaking his head4 ,he'll never come back1 he muttered4 ,i know his sort too well4 ,then1 business happening to be slack1 he re-read the letter before putting it away4 ,then he whistled softly and read it for the third time1 frowning and biting his lips4 ,the ,beaumont-,greene in the signature and on the envelope did not look to be written by the same hand4 ,there's something fishy here1 muttered the tradesman4 ,i must show this to ,amelia4 ,it was his habit to consult his wife in emergencies4 ,the chief cutter and two assistants said that ,amelia was the power behind the throne4 ,amelia read the letter1 listened to what her husband had to say1 stared hard at the envelope1 and delivered herself-- ,the hand that wrote the envelope never wrote the letter1 that's plain--to me4 ,now1 ,william1 you've got me and the children to think of4 ,this may mean the loss of our business1 and worse1 too4 ,you put on your hat and go straight to the ,manor4 ,mr4 ,warde's a gentleman1 and ,i don't think he'll let me and the children suffer for your foolishness4 ,don't you wait another minute4 ,nor did he4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after prayers that night1 ,warde asked ,beaumont-,greene to come to his study4 ,beaumont-,greene obeyed1 smiling blandly4 ,within three weeks he was leaving2 doubtless ,warde wanted to say something civil4 ,the big fellow was feeling quite himself4 ,he had paid ,scaife and ,lovell1 not without a little pardonable braggadocio4 ,you fellows have put me to some inconvenience1 he said4 ,i make it a rule not to run things fine1 but after all thirty quid is no great sum4 ,here you are4 ,we don't want to drive you into the workhouse1 said ,scaife4 ,thanks4 ,give you your revenge any time4 ,i dare say between now and the end of the term you'll have most of it back4 ,warde asked ,beaumont-,greene to sit down in a particular chair1 which faced the light from a large lamp4 ,then he took up an envelope4 ,suddenly cold chills trickled down ,beaumont-,greene's spine4 ,he recognized the envelope4 ,that scoundrel had betrayed him4 ,not for a moment1 however1 did he suppose that the forgery had been detected4 ,on the strength of this letter1 said ,warde1 gravely1 you borrowed thirty pounds from a tradesman8 ,denial being fatuous1 ,beaumont-,greene said-- ,yes1 sir4 ,you know1 ,i suppose1 that ,harrow tradesmen are expressly forbidden to lend boys money8 ,i am hardly a boy1 sir4 ,and--er--under the circumstances---- ,warde smiled very grimly4 ,ah--under the circumstances4 ,have you any objection to telling me the exact circumstances8 ,not at all1 sir4 ,i wished to make some presents to my friends4 ,i am going to give a large leaving-breakfast4 ,oh6 ,still1 thirty pounds is a large sum---- ,not to my father1 sir4 ,i--er--thought of coming to you1 sir1 with that letter4 ,did you8 ,warde took the letter from the envelope1 and glanced at it with faint interest1 so ,beaumont-,greene thought4 ,then he picked up a magnifying glass and played with it4 ,it was a trick of his to pick up objects on his desk1 and turn them in his thin1 nervous fingers4 ,beaumont-,greene was not seriously alarmed4 ,he had great faith in a weapon which had served him faithfully1 his lying tongue4 ,yes1 sir4 ,i thought you would be willing to advance the money for a few days1 and then---- ,and then8 ,and then ,i thought ,i wouldn't bother you4 ,it never occurred to me that ,i was getting a tradesman into trouble4 ,i hope you won't be hard on him1 sir4 ,i shall not be hard on him1 said ,warde1 because--for a moment his eyes flashed--because he came to me and confessed his fault2 but ,i won't deny that ,i gave him a very uncomfortable quarter of an hour4 ,he sat in your chair4 ,beaumont-,greene shuffled uneasily4 ,have you this thirty pounds in your pocket8 asked ,warde1 casually4 ,beaumont-,greene began to regret his haste in settling4 ,no1 sir4 ,some of it8 ,none of it4 ,you sent it to ,london8 ,to buy these handsome presents8 ,ye-es1 sir4 ,you hadn't much time4 ,lock-up's early1 and you received the money in gold4 ,did you buy ,orders8 ,beaumont-,greene's head began to buzz4 ,he found himself wondering why ,warde was speaking in this smooth1 quiet voice1 so different from his usual curt1 incisive tones4 ,yes1 sir4 ,at the ,harrow post-office8 ,yes1 sir4 ,ah4 ,again the house-master picked up the letter1 but this time he didn't lay down the lens4 ,instead he used it1 very deliberately4 ,beaumont-,greene shivered2 with difficulty he clenched his teeth1 so as to prevent them clicking like castanets4 ,then ,warde held up the sheet of paper to the light of the lamp4 ,obviously he wished to examine the watermark4 ,the paper was thin notepaper1 the kind that is sold everywhere for foreign correspondence4 ,beaumont-,greene1 economical in such matters1 had bought a couple of quires when his people went abroad4 ,the paper he had bought did not quite match the ,roman envelope4 ,warde opened a drawer1 from which he took some thin paper4 ,this also he held up to the light4 ,it's an odd coincidence1 he said1 tranquilly2 your father in ,rome uses the same notepaper that ,i buy here4 ,but the envelope is ,italian8 ,he spoke interrogatively1 but the wretch opposite had lost the power of speech4 ,he collapsed4 ,warde rose1 throwing aside his quiet manner as if it were a drab-coloured cloak4 ,now he was himself1 alert1 on edge1 sanguine4 ,you fool6 he exclaimed2 you clumsy fool6 ,why1 a child could find you out4 ,and you--you have dared to play with such an edged tool as forgery4 ,now1 do the one thing which is left to you3 make a clean breast of it to me--at once4 ,in imposing this command1 a command which he knew would be obeyed1 inasmuch as he perceived that he dominated the weak1 grovelling creature in front of him1 ,warde overlooked the possibility that this boy's confession might implicate other boys4 ,already he had formed in his mind a working hypothesis to account for this forged letter4 ,the fellow1 no doubt1 was in debt to some ,harrow townsman4 ,for whom did you steal this money8 ,to whom did you pay it to-day8 ,answer6 ,and he was answered4 ,i owed the money to ,scaife and ,lovell4 ,then he told the story of the card-playing4 ,at the last word he fell on his knees1 blubbering4 ,get up1 said ,warde1 sharply4 ,pull yourself together if you can4 ,the master began to walk up and down the room1 frowning and biting his lips4 ,from time to time he glanced at ,beaumont-,greene4 ,seeing his utter collapse1 he rang the bell1 answered by the ever-discreet ,dumbleton4 ,dumbleton1 take ,mr4 ,beaumont-,greene to the sick-room4 ,there is no one in it1 ,i believe8 ,no1 sir4 ,you will fetch what he may require for the night2 quietly1 you understand4 ,very good1 sir4 ,follow ,dumbleton1 ,warde addressed ,beaumont-,greene4 ,you will consider yourself under arrest4 ,your meals will be brought to you4 ,you will hold no communication with anybody except ,dumbleton and me2 you will send no messages2 you will write no notes4 ,do you hear8 ,yes1 sir4 ,then go4 ,dumbleton opened the door4 ,young man and servant passed out and into the passage beyond4 ,warde waited one moment1 then he followed them into the passage2 but instead of going upstairs1 he paused for an instant with his fingers upon the handle of the door which led from the private side to the boys' quarters4 ,he sighed as he passed through4 ,at this moment ,lovell was sitting in his room alone with ,scaife4 ,they had no suspicion of what had taken place in the study4 ,in the afternoon there had been a match with an ,old ,harrovian team1 and both ,scaife and ,lovell had played for the ,school4 ,but as yet neither had got his ,flannels4 ,as ,warde passed through the private side door1 ,scaife was saying angrily-- ,i believe ,challoner 7,challoner was captain of the football ,eleven and a monitor7 has a grudge against us4 ,if we had a chance--and we had--of getting our ,flannels last year1 why isn't it a cert4 this1 eh8 ,lovell shrugged his shoulders4 ,it is a cert41 he answered2 and you're right4 ,challoner doesn't like us1 and it amuses him to keep us out of our just rights4 ,the monitors know ,i detest 'em1 and they don't think you're called the ,demon for nothing4 ,challoner is more of a monitor than a footer-player4 ,how about a rubber8 ,there's just time4 ,i don't mind4 ,lovell went to the door and opened it4 ,bo-o-o-o-o-o-y6 ,the familiar cry--that imperious call which makes an ,harrovian feel himself master of more or less willing slaves--echoed through the house4 ,immediately the night-fag came running2 it was not considered healthy to keep ,lovell waiting4 ,ask ,beaumont-,greene to come up here and---- ,he paused4 ,warde had just turned the corner1 and was approaching4 ,lovell hesitated4 ,then he repeated what he had just said1 with a slight variation for ,warde's benefit4 ,tell him ,i want to ask him a question about the house-subscriptions4 ,right1 said the fag1 bustling off4 ,lovell waited to receive his house-master4 ,he had very good manners4 ,can ,i do anything for you1 sir8 he asked4 ,yes1 said ,warde1 deliberately4 ,he entered ,lovell's room and looked at ,scaife1 who rose at once4 ,i wish to speak with you alone1 ,lovell4 ,certainly1 sir4 ,won't you sit down8 ,warde waited till ,scaife had closed the door2 then he said quietly-- ,lovell1 does ,beaumont-,greene owe you money8 ,,footnotes3 #bh ,the ,anglo-,saxon form of ,harrow4 #bi ,the terminal examination4 #cj ,inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these ,my brethren1 ye have done it unto ,me4 ,,chapter ,x ,decapitation ,ferdinand ,mendez ,pinto was but a type of thee1 thou liar of the first magnitude6 ,lovell betrayed his astonishment by a slight start2 however1 he faced ,warde with a smile4 ,warde1 clean-shaven1 alert1 with youthful figure1 looked but little older than his pupil4 ,for a moment the two stared steadily at each other2 then1 very politely1 ,lovell said-- ,no1 sir1 he does not4 ,warde continued curtly1 ,then he has paid you what he did owe you8 ,lovell nodded1 shrugging his shoulders4 ,plainly1 ,warde had discovered the fact of the debt4 ,probably that fool ,beaumont-,greene had applied to his father1 and the father had written to ,warde4 ,it was unthinkable that ,warde knew more than this4 ,having reached this conclusion1 ,lovell turned over in his mind two or three specious lies that might meet the exigency4 ,yes1 he replied1 with apparent frankness1 ,beaumont-,greene did owe me money1 and he has paid me4 ,after a slight pause1 ,warde said quietly1 ,it is my duty1 as your tutor1 to ask you how ,beaumont-,greene became indebted to you8 ,i lent him the money1 said ,lovell4 ,ah6 ,please call ',boy4' ,lovell went into the passage4 ,had he an intuition that he was about to call ,boy for the last time1 or did the pent-up excitement find an outlet in sound8 ,he had never called ,boy so loudly or clearly4 ,the night-fag scurried up again4 ,tell him to send ,scaife here1 said ,warde4 ,lovell's florid face paled4 ,scaife would introduce complications4 ,and yet1 if it had come to ,warde's ears that ,beaumont-,greene was in debt to two of his schoolfellows1 and if he had found out the name of one1 it was not surprising that he knew the name of the other also4 ,as he gave the fag the message1 he regretted that ,scaife and he could not have a minute's private conversation together4 ,you lent ,beaumont-,greene ten pounds1 ,lovell8 ,yes1 sir4 ,scaife came in1 cool1 handsomer than usual because of the sparkle in his eyes4 ,shut the door1 ,scaife4 ,look at me1 please4 ,beaumont-,greene owed you money8 ,scaife glanced at ,lovell1 whose left eyelid quivered4 ,kindly stand behind ,scaife1 ,lovell4 ,thank you4 ,answer my question1 ,scaife4 ,yes1 sir2 he owed me money4 ,have you lent him money1 too8 said ,lovell4 ,it was admirably done--the hint cleverly conveyed1 the mild amazement4 ,warde smiled grimly4 ,scaife understood1 and took his cue4 ,yes2 ,i have lent him money1 said he1 after a slight pause4 ,twenty pounds8 ,i believe1 sir1 that is the amount4 ,and can you offer me any explanation why ,beaumont-,greene1 whose father1 to my knowledge1 has always given him a very large allowance1 should borrow thirty pounds of you two8 ,i haven't the smallest idea1 have you1 ,lovell8 ,no1 said ,lovell4 ,unless his younger brother1 who is at ,eton1 has got into trouble4 ,he's very fond of his brothers4 ,um6 ,you speak up for your--friend4 ,lovell frowned4 ,a friend1 sir--no4 ,of course1 said ,warde1 reflectively1 if it is true that ,beaumont-,greene borrowed this money to help a brother---- ,he paused1 staring at ,lovell4 ,from the bottom of a big heart he was praying that ,lovell would not lie4 ,beaumont-,greene certainly gave me to understand that the affair was pressing4 ,having the money1 ,i hadn't the heart to refuse4 ,but you pressed for repayment8 said ,warde1 sharply4 ,that is true1 sir4 ,i'm on an allowance2 and ,i shall have many expenses this holidays4 ,you1 ,scaife1 asked for your money8 ,yes1 sir4 ,well1 between you1 you have driven this unhappy wretch into crime4 ,crime1 sir8 ,at last their self-possession abandoned them4 ,crime is a word which looms large in the imaginations of youth4 ,what had ,beaumont-,greene done8 ,what crime1 sir8 ,scaife1 the more self-possessed1 although fully two years the younger1 asked the question4 ,forgery4 ,forgery8 ,lovell repeated4 ,he was plainly shocked4 ,the idiot6 exclaimed ,scaife4 ,yes--forgery4 ,have you anything to say8 ,it is a time when the truth1 all the truth1 might be accepted as an extenuating circumstance4 ,i speak to you first1 ,lovell4 ,you're a ,sixth ,form boy--remember1 ,i have been one myself--and it is your duty to help me4 ,i beg pardon1 sir1 ,lovell replied4 ,i have never considered it my duty as a ,sixth ,form boy to play the usher4 ,nor did ,i2 but you ought to work on parallel lines with us4 ,you accepted the privileges of the ,sixth4 ,lovell's flush deepened4 ,more1 continued ,warde1 you know that we1 the masters1 have implicit trust in the ,sixth ,form1 a trust but seldom betrayed4 ,for instance1 ,i should not think of entering your room without tapping on the door2 under ordinary circumstances ,i should accept your bare word unhesitatingly4 ,i say emphatically that if you1 knowing these things1 have accepted the privileges of your order with the deliberate intention of ignoring its duties1 you have not acted like a man of honour4 ,sir6 ,don't bluff6 ,now1 for the last time1 will you give me what ,i have given you--trust8 ,i have nothing more to say1 ,lovell answered stiffly4 ,and you1 ,scaife8 ,i am sorry1 sir1 that ,beaumont-,greene has been such a fool4 ,we lent him this money1 because he wanted it badly2 and he said he would pay us back before the end of the term4 ,you stick to that story8 ,why1 yes1 sir4 ,why should we tell you a lie8 ,ah1 why1 indeed8 sighed ,warde4 ,then his voice grew hard and sharp4 ,the persuasiveness1 the carefully-framed sentences1 gave place to his curtest manner4 ,this matter1 said he1 is out of my hands4 ,the ,head ,master will deal with it4 ,i must ask you for your keys1 ,lovell4 ,and if ,i refuse to give them up8 ,then we must break into your boxes4 ,thanks4 ,he took the keys4 ,follow me1 please4 ,the pair followed him into the private side1 upstairs1 and into the sick-room4 ,there were three beds in it2 upon one sat ,beaumont-,greene4 ,his complexion turned a sickly drab when he saw ,lovell and ,scaife4 ,he even glanced at the window with a hunted expression4 ,the window was three stories from the ground1 and heavily barred ever since a boy in delirium had tried to jump from it4 ,your night-things will be brought to you1 said ,warde4 ,he went out slowly4 ,the boys heard the key turn in the massive lock4 ,they were prisoners4 ,scaife walked up to ,beaumont-,greene4 ,you told ,warde about the bridge8 ,ye-es2 ,i had to4 ,scaife1 don't look at me like that4 ,lovell--his voice broke into a terrified scream--don't let him hit me4 ,i couldn't help it--,i swear ,i---- ,you cur6 said ,scaife4 ,i wouldn't touch you with a forty-foot pole4 ,just what passed between ,warde and the ,head ,master must be surmised4 ,carefully hidden in ,lovell's boxes were found cards and markers4 ,upon the latter remained the results of the last game played1 and under the winning column a rough calculation in pounds1 shillings1 and pence4 ,there were no names4 ,next day1 during first school1 a notice came round to each ,form to be in the ,speech-room at #h4cj4 ,not a boy knew or guessed the reason of this summons4 ,the ,manorites1 aware that three of their ,house were in the sick-room1 believed that an infectious disease had broken out4 ,only ,desmond1 ,john1 and the ,caterpillar experienced heart-breaking fears that a catastrophe had taken place4 ,when the ,school assembled at half-past eight1 the monitors came in1 followed by the ,head ,master in cap and gown4 ,then1 a moment later1 the ,school ,custos entered with ,scaife4 ,they sat down upon a small bench near the door4 ,immediately the whispers1 the shuffling of feet1 the occasional cough1 died down into a thrilling silence4 ,the ,head ,master stood up4 ,he was a man of singularly impressive face and figure4 ,and his voice had what may be described as an edge to it--the cutting quality so invaluable to any speaker who desires to make a deep impression upon his audience4 ,he began his address in the clear1 cold accents of one who sets forth facts which can neither be controverted nor ignored4 ,slowly1 inexorably1 without wasting a word or a second1 he told the ,school what had happened4 ,then he paused4 ,as his voice melted away1 the boys moved restlessly4 ,upon their faces shone a curious excitement and relief4 ,gambling in its many-headed forms is too deeply rooted in human hearts to awaken any great antipathy4 ,so far1 then1 the sympathy of the audience lay with the culprits2 this the ,head ,master knew4 ,when he spoke again1 his voice had changed1 subtly1 but unmistakably4 ,you were afraid1 he said1 that ,i had something worse--ah1 yes1 unspeakably worse--to tell you4 ,thank ,god1 this is not one of those cases from which every clean1 manly boy must recoil in disgust4 ,but1 on that account1 don't blind yourselves to the issues involved4 ,this playing of bridge--a game you have seen your own people playing night after night1 perhaps--is harmless enough in itself4 ,i can say more--it is a game1 and hence its fascination1 which calls into use some of the finest qualities of the brain3 judgment1 memory1 the faculty of making correct deductions1 foresight1 and patience4 ,it teaches restraint2 it makes for pleasant fellowship4 ,it does all this and more1 provided that it never degenerates into gambling4 ,the very moment that the game becomes a gamble1 if any one of the players is likely to lose a sum greater than he can reasonably afford to pay1 greater than he would cheerfully spend upon any other form of entertainment1 then bridge becomes cursed4 ,and because you boys have not the experience to determine the difference between a mere game and a gamble1 card-playing is forbidden you1 and rightly so4 ,now1 let us consider what has happened4 ,a stupid1 foolish fellow1 playing with boys infinitely cleverer than himself1 has lost a sum of money which he could not pay4 ,to obtain the means of paying it1 he deliberately forged a letter and a signature4 ,and then followed the inevitable lying--lie upon lie4 ,that is always the price of lies--'to lie on still4' ,i would mitigate the punishment1 if ,i could1 but ,i must think of the majority4 ,this sort of malignant disease must be cut out4 ,two of the three offenders are young men2 they were leaving at the end of this term4 ,they will leave1 instead--to-day4 ,the third boy is much younger4 ,because of his youth1 ,i have been persuaded by his house-master to give him a further chance4 ,again he paused4 ,then he exclaimed loudly1 ,scaife6 ,scaife stood up1 very pale4 ,here1 sir6 ,scaife1 you will go into the ,fourth ,form ,room1#ca and prepare to receive the punishment which no member of the ,eleven should ever deserve4 99 99 99 99 99 ,john sat with his ,form while the ,head ,master was addressing the ,school4 ,not far off was the ,caterpillar1 less cool than usual1 so ,john remarked4 ,his collar1 for instance1 seemed to be too tight2 and he moved restlessly upon his chair4 ,many very brave men become nervous when a great danger has passed them by4 ,egerton said afterwards1 ,i felt like getting down a hole1 and pulling the hole after me4 ,not my own4 ,some ,yankee's1 you know4 ,still1 he displayed remarkable self-possession under trying circumstances4 ,two of ,lovell's particular friends were seen to turn the colour of ,cheddar cheese4 ,but ,desmond1 so ,john noticed1 grew red rather than yellow4 ,nor did he tremble1 but his fists were clenched1 and his eyes kindled4 ,as ,scaife left the ,speech-room1 followed by ,titchener 7the provider of birches1 whose duty it is to see that boys about to be swished are properly prepared to receive punishment71 the boys began to shuffle in their places4 ,but the ,head ,master held up his hand4 ,it was then that ,lovell's two particular friends1 who had partially recovered1 felt that the earth was once more slipping from under them4 ,it takes four to play bridge4 ,the ,caterpillar's fingers went to his collar again4 ,in this case there must have been a fourth1 possibly a fifth and a sixth4 ,not more1 ,i think1 because the secret was too well kept4 ,we are confronted with the disagreeable fact that three boys are going to receive the most severe punishments ,i can inflict1 and that another escapes scot-free4 ,for ,i do not know the--name--of--the--fourth4 ,the ,head ,master waited to let each deliberate word soak in4 ,perhaps he had calculated the effect of his voice upon a boy of sensibility and imagination4 ,that ,scaife1 his friend1 should suffer the indignity of a swishing1 and that he should escape scot-free1 seemed to ,caesar ,desmond not a bit of rare good fortune--as it appeared to the others--but an incredible miscarriage of justice4 ,to submit tamely to such a burden was unthinkable4 ,he sprang to his feet1 ardent1 impetuous1 afire with the spirit which makes men accept death rather than dishonour2 and then1 in a voice that rang through the room1 thrilling the coldest and most callous heart1 he exclaimed-- ,i was the fourth4 ,a curious sound escaped from the audience--a gasp of surprise1 of admiration1 and of dismay2 at least1 so the ,head ,master interpreted it4 ,and looking at the faces about him1 he read approval or disapproval1 according as each boy betrayed the feeling in his heart4 ,you1 ,desmond8 ,yes1 sir4 ,the ,caterpillar rose slowly4 ,he was cool enough now4 ,i was the fifth4 ,but ,lovell's two particular friends sat tight1 as they put it4 ,let us not blame them4 ,you1 ,egerton8 ,yes1 sir4 ,for a moment the ,head ,master hesitated4 ,into his mind there flashed the image of two notable figures--the fathers whom he had entreated to send sons to the ,manor4 ,if--if by so doing he had compassed the boys' ruin1 could he ever have forgiven himself8 ,but now1 the boys themselves had justified his action2 they had proved worthy of their breeding and the traditions of the ,hill4 ,come here1 he said4 ,when they stood opposite to him1 he continued-- ,you give yourselves up to receive the punishment ,i am about to inflict upon ,scaife8 ,the boys did not answer1 save with their eyes4 ,the silence in the great room was so profound that ,john made sure that the beating of his heart must be heard by everybody4 ,i shall not punish you4 ,this voluntary confession has done much to redeem your fault4 ,meet me in my study at nine this evening1 and ,i will talk to you4 ,when ,i came here ,i hardly hoped to find saints1 but ,i did expect to find--gentlemen4 ,and ,i have not been disappointed4 ,he addressed the others4 ,you will return to your boarding-houses1 and quietly1 if you please4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the immediate and most noticeable effect of ,lovell's expulsion was the loss of the next ,house match4 ,damer's defeated the ,manor easily4 ,some of the fags whispered to each other that the injuries inflicted by the ,head ,master on ,scaife had been so severe as to incapacitate the star-player of the ,house4 ,two boys had concealed themselves in the ,armoury 7which is just below the ,fourth ,form ,room7 upon the morning when ,scaife was flogged4 ,but they reported--nothing4 ,however severe the punishment might have been1 ,scaife received it without a whimper4 ,in truth1 ,scaife received but one cut1 and that a light one4 ,the ,head ,master wished to lay stripes upon the boy's heart1 not his body4 ,when he saw him prepared to receive punishment1 he said gravely-- ,i have never flogged a member of the ,eleven4 ,and now1 at the last moment1 ,i offer you the choice between a flogging and expulsion4 ,i prefer to be flogged4 ,and then--one cut4 ,but ,scaife never forgot the walk from the ,yard to the ,manor1 after execution4 ,he was too proud to run1 too proud not to face the boys he happened to meet4 ,they turned aside their eyes from his furious glare4 ,but he met no members of his own ,house4 ,they had the delicacy to leave the coast clear4 ,when he reached his room1 he found ,desmond alone4 ,desmond said nervously-- ,i asked ,warde if we could have breakfast here this morning1 instead of going into ,hall4 ,i've got some ripping salmon4 ,scaife had faced everything with a brazen indifference1 but the sympathy in his friend's voice overpowered him4 ,he flung himself upon the sofa by the window and wept1 not as a boy weeps1 but with the cruel1 grinding sobs of a man4 ,he wept for his stained pride1 for his vain-glory1 not because he had sinned and caused others to sin4 ,the boy watching him1 seeing the hero self-abased1 hearing his heartbreaking sobs1 interpreted very differently those sounds4 ,infinitely distressed1 turning over and over in his mind some soothing phrases1 some word of comfort and encouragement1 ,desmond waited till the first paroxysm had passed4 ,what he said then shall not be set down in cold print4 ,you may be sure he proved that friendship between two strong1 vigorous boys is no frail thread1 but a golden chain which adversity strengthens and refines4 ,scaife rose up with his heart softened1 not by his own tears1 but by the tears he saw in ,desmond's eyes4 ,i'm all right now1 he said4 ,then1 with frowning brows1 he added thoughtfully1 ,i deserve what ,i got for being a fool4 ,i ought to have foreseen that such a swine as ,beaumont-,greene would be sure to betray us sooner or later4 ,i shall be wiser next time4 ,next--time8 ,the dismay in ,desmond's voice made ,scaife smile4 ,don't worry1 ,caesar4 ,no more bridge for me2 but1 he laughed harshly1 the leopard can't change his spots1 and he won't give up hunting because he has fallen into a trap1 and got out of it4 ,come1 let's tackle the salmon4 ,the winter term came to an end1 and the ,school broke up4 ,upon the evening of the last ,sunday1 ,warde said a few words to ,john4 ,i propose to make some changes in the house1 he said abruptly4 ,would you like to share ,no4 #g with ,desmond8 ,no4 #g was the jolliest two-room at the ,manor4 ,it overlooked the gardens1 and was larger than some three-rooms4 ,then ,john remembered ,scaife and the ,duffer4 ,desmond has been with ,scaife ever since he came to the house1 sir4 ,true4 ,but ,i'm going to give ,scaife a room to himself4 ,he's entitled to it as the future ,captain of the ,eleven4 ,that is--settled4 ,you and ,duff must part4 ,he's two forms below you in the school1 and never likely to soar much higher than the ,second ,fifth4 ,next term you will be in the ,sixth1 and by the summer ,i hope ,desmond will have joined you4 ,you will find#cb together4 ,of course ,scaife can find with you1 if you wish4 ,i've spoken to him and ,desmond4 ,and so1 ,john's fondest hope was realized4 ,when he came back to the ,manor1 ,desmond and he spent much time and rather more money than they could afford in making ,no4 #g the cosiest room in the house4 ,consciences were salved thus3--,john bought for ,desmond some picture or other decorative object which cost more money than he felt justified in spending on himself2 then ,desmond made ,john a similar present4 ,it was whipping the devil round the stump1 ,john said1 but oh6 the delight of giving his friend something he coveted1 and receiving presents from him in return4 ,during this term1 ,scaife became one of the school racquet-players4 ,in many ways he was admittedly the most remarkable boy at ,harrow1 the ,admirable ,crichton who appears now and again in every decade4 ,he won the high jump and the hurdle-race4 ,these triumphs kept him out of mischief1 and occupied every minute of his time4 ,he associated with the ,bloods1 and one day ,desmond told ,john that he considered himself to have been dropped by this tremendous swell4 ,john discreetly held his tongue2 but in his own mind1 as before1 he was convinced that ,scaife and ,desmond would come together again4 ,the inexorable circumstance of ,scaife's superiority at games had separated the boys1 but only for a brief season4 ,desmond would become a ,blood soon1 and then it would be ,john's turn to be dropped4 ,being a philosopher1 our hero did not worry too much over the future1 but made the most of the present1 with a grateful and joyous heart4 ,in his humility1 he was unable to measure his influence on ,desmond4 ,in athletic pursuits an inferior1 in all intellectual attainments he was pulling far ahead of his friend4 ,the artful ,warde had a word to say1 which gave ,john food for thought4 ,you can never equal your friend at cricket or footer1 ,verney4 ,if you wish to score1 it is time to play your own game4 ,shortly after this1 ,john realized that ,warde had read ,caesar aright4 ,charles ,desmond's son1 as has been said1 acclaimed quality wherever he met it4 ,john's intellectual advance amazed and then fascinated him4 ,when ,john discovered this1 he worked harder4 ,warde smiled4 ,john ran second for the ,prize ,poem4 ,he had genuine feeling for ,nature1 but he lacked as yet the technical ability to display it4 ,a more practised versifier won the prize2 but ,john's taste for history and literature secured him the ,bourchier1 not without a struggle which whetted to keenness every faculty he possessed4 ,more1 to his delight1 he realized that his enthusiasm was contagious4 ,caesar entered eagerly into his friend's competitions2 struggle and strife appealed to the ,irishman4 ,he talked over ,john's themes1 read his verses1 and predicted triumphs4 ,warde told ,john that ,caesar ,desmond might have stuck in the ,first ,fifth1 had it not been for this quickening of the clay4 ,the days succeeded each other swiftly and smoothly4 ,warde was seen to smile more than ever during this term4 ,certain big fellows who opposed him were leaving or had already left4 ,bohun1 now ,head of the ,house1 was a sturdy1 straightforward monitor1 not a famous athlete1 but able to hold his own in any field of endeavour4 ,just before the ,christmas holidays1 ,warde discovered1 to his horror1 that the drainage at the ,manor was out of order4 ,at great expense a new and perfect system was laid down4 ,at last ,warde told himself his house might be pronounced sanitary within and without4 ,when the summer term came1 ,desmond joined ,john in the ,sixth ,form4 ,they were entitled to single rooms1 but they asked and obtained permission to remain in ,no4 #g4 ,desmond was invested with the right to fag1 and the right to find4 ,how blessed a privilege the right to find is1 boys who have enjoyed it will attest4 ,the cosy meals in one's own room1 the pleasant talk1 the sense of intimacy1 the freedom from restraint4 ,custom stales all good things1 but how delicious they taste at first6 ,the privilege of fagging is not1 however1 unadulterated bliss4 ,when ,warde said to ,caesar1 ,well1 ,desmond1 how do you like ordering about your slave8 ,desmond replied1 ruefully1 ,well1 sir1 little ,duff has broken my inkstand1 spilt the ink on our new carpet1 and let ,verney's bullfinch escape4 ,i think1 on the whole1 ,i'd as lief wait on myself4 ,early in ,june it became plain that unless the unforeseen occurred1 ,harrow would have a strong ,eleven1 and that ,desmond would be a member of it4 ,john and ,fluff were playing in the ,sixth ,form game2 but ,john had no chance of his ,flannels1 although he had improved in batting and bowling1 thanks to ,warde's indefatigable coaching4 ,scaife hardly ever spoke to ,john now1 but occasionally he came into ,no4 #g to talk to ,desmond4 ,upon these rare occasions ,john would generally find an excuse for leaving the room4 ,always1 when he returned1 ,desmond seemed to be restless and perplexed4 ,his admiration for ,scaife had waxed rather than waned4 ,indeed1 ,john himself1 detesting ,scaife--for it had come to that--fearing him on ,desmond's account1 admired him notwithstanding3 captivated by his amazing grace1 good looks1 and audacity4 ,his recklessness held even the ,bloods spellbound4 ,a coach ran through ,harrow in the afternoons of that season4 ,scaife made a bet that he would drive this coach from one end of the ,high ,street to the other1 under the very nose of ,authority4 ,the rules of the school set forth rigorously that no boy is to drive in or on any vehicle whatever4 ,only the ,cycle ,corps are allowed to use bicycles4 ,scaife's bet1 you may be sure1 excited extraordinary interest4 ,he won it easily1 disguised as the coachman--a make-up clever enough to deceive even those who were in the secret4 ,his friends knew that he kept two polo-ponies at ,wembley4 ,one afternoon he dared to play in a match against the ,nondescripts4 ,warde's daughter1 just out of the schoolroom1 happened to be present1 and she rubbed her lovely eyes when she saw ,scaife careering over the field4 ,scaife laughed when he saw her2 but before she left the ground a note had reached her4 ,,dear ,,miss ,,warde1 ,i am sure that you have too much sporting blood in your veins to tell your father that you have seen me playing polo4 ,yours very sincerely1 ,,reginald ,,scaife4 ,to run such risks seemed to ,john madness2 to ,desmond it indicated genius4 ,there never was such a fellow1 said ,caesar to ,john4 ,when ,caesar spoke in that tone ,john knew that ,scaife had but to hold up a finger1 and that ,caesar would come to him even as a bird drops into the jaws of a snake4 ,caesar was strong1 but the ,demon was stronger4 ,after the ,zingari ,match1 ,desmond got his ,flannels4 ,he was cheered at six ,bill4 ,everybody liked him2 everybody was proud of him1 proud of his father1 proud of the long line of ,desmonds1 all distinguished1 good-looking1 and with charming manners4 ,the ,school roared its satisfaction4 ,john stood a little back1 by the cloisters4 ,caesar ran past him1 down the steps and into the street1 hat in hand1 blushing like a girl4 ,john felt a lump in his throat4 ,he thrilled because glory shone about his friend2 but the poignant reflection came1 that ,caesar was running swiftly1 out of the ,yard and out of his own life4 ,and before lock-up he saw1 what he had seen in fancy a thousand times1 ,caesar arm-in-arm with ,scaife and the ,captain of the ,eleven1 ,caesar in his new straw1#cc looking happier than ,john had ever seen him1 ,caesar1 the ,blood1 rolling triumphantly down the ,high ,street1 the envied of all beholders1 the hero of the hour4 ,john called himself a selfish beast1 because he had wished for one terrible moment1 wished with heart and soul1 that ,caesar was unpopular and obscure4 ,,footnotes3 #ca ,the place of execution4 #cb ,finding is the privilege1 accorded to the ,sixth ,form1 of having breakfast and tea served in their own rooms instead of in ,hall4 #cc ,the black-and-white straw hat only worn by members of the ,school ,cricket ,eleven4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,self-questioning ,friend1 of my infinite dreams ,little enough endures2 ,little howe'er it seems1 ,it is yours1 all yours4 ,fame hath a fleeting breath1 ,hope may be frail or fond2 ,but ,love shall be ,love till death1 ,and perhaps beyond4 ,until the ,metropolitan ,railway joined ,harrow to ,baker ,street1 the ,hill stood in the midst of genuine and unspoilt country1 separated by five miles of grass from the nearest point of the metropolis1 and encompassed by isolated dwellings1 ranging in rank and scale from villas to country houses4#cd ,most of the latter have fallen victims to the speculative builder1 and have been cut up into alleys of brick and stucco4 ,but one or two still remain among their hayfields and rhododendrons4 ,john ,verney had an eager curiosity1 not common in schoolboys1 to know something about the countryside in which he dwelt4 ,as a ,lower ,boy1 whenever released from ,compulsory and ,house-games1 he used to wander with alert eyes and ears up and down the green lanes of ,roxeth and ,harrow ,weald1 enjoying fresh glimpses of the far-seen ,spire1 making friends with cottagers1 picking up traditions of an older and more lawless#ce epoch1 and1 with these1 an ever-increasing love and loyalty to ,harrow4 ,so ,byron had wandered a hundred years before4 ,these solitary rambles1 however1 were regarded with disfavour by schoolfellows who lacked ,john's imaginative temperament4 ,the ,caterpillar1 for instance1 protested1 ,did ,i see you hobnobbing with a chaw the other day8 ,i thought so2 and you looked like a confounded bughunter4 ,the ,duffer's notions of topography were bounded by the cricket-ground on the one side of the ,hill1 and the footer-fields on the other2 and his traditions held nothing much more romantic than ,a4 ,j4 ,webbe's scores at ,lord's4 ,fluff1 as has been said1 was too far removed from ,john to make him more than an occasional companion4 ,and so1 for several terms1 ,john1 for the most part1 walked alone4 ,by the time ,desmond joined him1 he had gleaned a knowledge which fascinated a friend of like sensibility and imagination4 ,together they revisited the old and explored the new4 ,one never-to-be-forgotten day the boys discovered a deserted house of some pretensions about a mile from the ,hill4 ,its grounds1 covering several acres1 were enclosed by a high oak paling1 within which stood a thick belt of trees1 effectually concealing what lay beyond4 ,grim iron gates1 always locked1 frowned upon the wayfarer2 but ,john1 flattening an inquisitive nose against the ironwork1 could discern a carriage-drive overgrown with grass and weeds1 and at the end of it a white stone portico4 ,after this the place became to both boys a sort of ,enchanted ,castle4 ,a dozen times they peered through the gates4 ,no one went in or out of the grass-grown drive4 ,the gatekeeper's lodge was uninhabited2 there were no adjacent cottages where information might be sought4 ,the boys called it ,the ,haunted ,house1 and peopled it with ghosts2 gorgeous bucks of the ,regency1 languishing beauties such as ,lawrence painted1 fiery politicians1 duellists1 mysterious black-a-vised foreigners4 ,john connected it in fancy with the days when the gorgeous ,duke of ,chandos 7who had ,handel for his chapel-organist and was a ,governor of ,harrow and guardian of ,lord ,rodney7 kept court at ,cannons4 ,he told ,caesar anecdotes of ,dr4 ,parr1 with his preposterous wig1 his clouds of tobacco1 his sesquipedalian quotations1 coming down from ,stanmore2 and also of the great ,lord ,abercorn1 another ,governor of the school1 who used to go out shooting in the blue riband of the ,garter1 and who entertained ,pitt and ,sir ,walter ,scott at ,bentley ,priory4 ,what a lot you know6 said ,caesar4 ,and you have a memory like my father's4 ,i'm beginning to think1 ,jonathan1 that you'll be a swell like him some day--in the ,cabinet1 perhaps4 ,ah1 said ,john1 with shining eyes4 ,i hope ,i shall live to see it1 ,desmond added1 with feeling4 ,thanks1 old chap4 ,a crust or a triumph shared with a pal tastes twice as good4 ,one soft afternoon in spring1 after four ,bill1 ,desmond and ,john were approaching the iron gates of the ,haunted ,house4 ,they had not taken this particular walk since the day when ,desmond got his ,flannels4 ,during the winter term1 ,scaife and ,desmond became members of the ,football ,eleven4 ,during this term ,scaife won the hundred yards and quarter-mile2 ,desmond won the half-mile and mile4 ,in a word1 they had done1 from the athletic point of view1 nearly all that could be done4 ,a glorious victory at ,lord's seemed assured4 ,scaife1 ,captain and epitome of the brains and muscles of the ,eleven1 had grown into a powerful man1 with the mind1 the tastes1 the passions of manhood4 ,desmond1 on the other hand1 while nearly as tall 7and much handsomer in ,john's eyes71 still retained the look of youth4 ,indeed1 he looked younger than ,john1 although a year his senior2 and ,john knew himself to be the elder and wiser1 knew that ,desmond leaned upon him whenever a crutch was wanted4 ,the chief difficulty which besets a school friendship between two boys is that of being alone together4 ,in ,form1 in the playing-fields1 in the boarding-house1 life is public4 ,even in the most secluded lane1 a ,harrow boy is not secure against the unwelcome salutations of heated athletes who have been taking a cross-country run1 or leaping over1 or into1 the ,pinner brook4 ,to ,john the need of sanctuary had become pressing4 ,upon this blessed spring afternoon--ever afterwards recalled with special affection--a retreat was suddenly provided4 ,as the boys jumped over the last stile into the lane which led to the ,haunted ,house1 ,desmond exclaimed-- ,by ,jove1 the gates are open6 ,then they saw that a man1 a sort of caretaker1 was in the act of shutting them4 ,may we go in8 ,john asked civilly4 ,the man hesitated1 eyeing the boys4 ,desmond's smile melted him1 as it would have melted a mummy4 ,there's nothing to see1 he said4 ,then1 in answer to a few eager questions1 he told the story of the ,haunted ,house2 haunted1 indeed1 by the ghosts of what might have been4 ,a city magnate owned the place4 ,he had bought it because he wished to educate his only son at ,harrow as a ,home-,boarder1 or day-boy4 ,a few weeks before the boy should have joined the school1 he fell ill with diphtheria1 and died4 ,the mother1 who nursed him1 caught the disease and died also4 ,the father1 left alone1 turned his back upon a place he loathed1 resolving to hold it till building-values increased1 but never to set eyes on it again4 ,the caretaker and his wife occupied a couple of rooms in the house4 ,the boys glanced at the house1 a common-place mansion1 and began to explore the gardens4 ,to their delight they found in the shrubberies1 now a wilderness of laurel and rhododendron1 a tower--what our forefathers called a ,gazebo1 and their neighbours a ,folly4 ,the top of it commanded a wide1 unbroken view-- ,of all the lowland western lea1 ,the ,uxbridge flats and meadows1 ,to where the ,ruislip waters see ,the ,oxhey lights and shadows4 ,there's the ,spire1 said ,john4 ,the man1 who had joined them1 nodded4 ,yes1 said he1 and my mistress and her boy are buried underneath it4 ,she wanted him to be there--at the school1 ,i mean--and there he is4 ,we're very much obliged to you1 said ,desmond4 ,he slipped a shilling into the man's hand1 and added1 ,may we stay here for a bit8 and perhaps we might come again--eh8 ,thank you1 sir1 the man replied1 touching his hat4 ,come whenever you like1 sir4 ,the gates ain't really locked4 ,i'll show you the trick of opening 'em when you come down4 ,he descended the steep flight of steps after the boys had thanked him4 ,sad story1 said ,john1 staring at the distant ,spire4 ,desmond hesitated4 ,at times he revealed 7to ,john alone7 a curious melancholy4 ,sad1 he repeated4 ,i don't know about that4 ,sad for the father1 of course1 but perhaps the son is well out of it4 ,don't look so amazed1 ,jonathan4 ,most fellows seem to make awful muddles of their lives4 ,you won't1 of course4 ,i see you on pinnacles1 but ,i---- ,he broke off with a mirthless laugh4 ,john waited4 ,the air about them was soft and moist after a recent shower4 ,the south-west wind stirred the pulses4 ,earth was once more tumid1 about to bring forth4 ,already the hedges were green under the brown2 bulbs were pushing delicate spears through the sweet-smelling soil2 the buds upon a clump of fine beeches had begun to open4 ,in this solitude1 alone with teeming nature1 ,john tried to interpret his friend's mood2 but the spirit of melancholy eluded him1 as if it were a will-o'-the-wisp dancing over an impassable marsh4 ,suddenly1 there came to him1 as there had come to the quicker imagination of his friend1 the overpowering mystery of ,spring1 the sense of inevitable change1 the impossibility of arresting it4 ,at the moment all things seemed unsubstantial4 ,even the familiar ,spire1 powdered with gold by the slanting rays of the sun1 appeared thinly transparent against the rosy mists behind it4 ,the ,hill1 the solid ,hill1 rose out of the valley1 a lavender-coloured shade upon the horizon4 ,he came here1 continued ,desmond1 dreamily--,john guessed that he was speaking of the father--a rich1 prosperous man4 ,i dare say he worked like a slave in the city4 ,and he wanted peace and quiet after the ,stock ,exchange4 ,who wouldn't8 ,and he planted out these gardens1 thinking that every plant would grow up and thrive1 and his son with them4 ,and then the boy died2 and the wife followed2 and the enchanted castle became a place of horror2 and now it is a wilderness4 ,haunted8 ,i should think it was--haunted6 ,i wish we'd never set foot in it4 ,there's a curse on it4 ,let's go1 said ,john4 ,too late4 ,we'll stay now1 and we'll come again1 every ,sunday4 ,wild and desolate as things look1 they will be lovely when we get back in summer4 ,don't talk4 ,i'm going to light a pipe4 ,through the circling cloud of tobacco-smoke ,john stared at the face which had illumined nearly every hour of his school-life4 ,its peculiar vividness always amazed ,john1 the vitality of it1 and yet the perfect delicacy4 ,scaife's handsome features were full of vitality also1 but coarseness underlay their bold lines and peered out of the keen1 flashing eyes4 ,when the ,caterpillar left ,harrow he had said to ,john-- ,good-bye1 ,jonathan4 ,awful rot your going to such a hole as ,oxford6 ,one has had quite enough schooling after five years here4 ,it's settled ,i'm going into the ,guards4 ,my father tells me that old ,scaife tried to get the ,demon down on the ,duke's list4 ,but we don't fancy the ,scaife brand4 ,often and often ,john wondered whether ,desmond saw the brand as plainly as the ,caterpillar and he did4 ,sometimes he felt almost sure that a word1 a look1 a gesture betraying the bounder1 had revolted ,desmond2 but a few hours later the bounder bounded into favour again1 captivating eye and heart by some brilliant feat4 ,and then his brains6 ,he was so diabolically clever4 ,john could always recall his face as he lay back in the chair in ,no4 #ae1 sick1 bruised1 befuddled1 and yet even in that moment of extreme prostration able to play the game1 as he put it1 to defeat house-master and doctor by sheer strength of will and intellect4 ,it was ,scaife who had persuaded ,desmond to smoke4444 ,caesar's voice broke in upon these meditations4 ,i say--what are you frowning about8 ,john1 very red1 replied nervously1 ,now that you're in the ,sixth1 you ought to chuck smoking4 ,what rot6 said ,caesar4 ,and here1 in this tower1 where one couldn't possibly be nailed---- ,that's it1 said ,john4 ,it's just because you can't possibly be nailed that it seems to me not quite square4 ,caesar burst out laughing4 ,jonathan1 you are a rum 'un4 ,anyway--here goes6 ,as he spoke he flung the pipe into the bushes below4 ,thanks1 said ,john1 quietly4 ,we'll come here again4 ,i like this old tower4 ,you won't come here without me8 ,oh1 ho6 ,i'm not to let the ,demon into our paradise--eh8 ,what a jealous old bird you are6 ,well1 ,i like you to be jealous4 ,and he laughed again4 ,i am jealous1 said ,john1 slowly4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,school broke up on the following ,tuesday1 and ,desmond went home with ,john4 ,this happened to be the first time that the friends had spent ,easter together4 ,john wondered whether ,caesar would take the ,sacrament with his mother and him4 ,he and ,caesar had been confirmed side by side in the ,chapel at ,harrow4 ,he felt sure that ,desmond would not refuse if he were asked4 ,on ,easter ,eve1 ,mrs4 ,verney said1 in her quiet1 persuasive voice-- ,you will join us to-morrow morning1 ,harry8 ,desmond flushed1 and said1 ,yes4 ,not remembering his own mother1 who had died when he was a child1 he often told ,john that he felt like a son to ,mrs4 ,verney4 ,upon ,easter morning1 the three met in the hall1 and ,desmond asked for a ,prayer-book4 ,i've lost mine1 he murmured4 ,that afternoon1 when they were alone upon the splendid moor above ,stoneycross1 ,desmond said suddenly-- ,religion means a lot to you1 ,jonathan1 doesn't it8 ,yes4 ,but you never talk about it4 ,no4 ,why not8 ,i don't know how to begin4 ,there's such sickening hypocrisy in this world4 ,john nodded4 ,but your religion is a help to you1 eh8 ,keeps you straight8 ,john nodded again4 ,then ,desmond said with an air of finality-- ,i wish ,i'd some of your faith4 ,i want it badly4 ,if you want it badly1 you will get it4 ,a long silence succeeded4 ,then ,desmond exclaimed-- ,hullo6 ,by ,jove1 there's a fox1 a splendid fellow6 ,he's come up here amongst the rabbits for a ,sunday dinner4 ,gone awa-a-a-ay6 ,he put his hand to his mouth and halloaed4 ,a minute later he was talking of hunting4 ,religion was not mentioned till they were approaching the house for tea4 ,on the threshold1 ,desmond said with a nervous laugh-- ,i'd like your mother to give me a ,prayer-book--a small one1 nothing expensive4 ,during the following week they hunted with foxhounds or staghounds every day1 except ,wednesday4 ,in the ,new ,forest the ,easter hunting is unique4 ,tremendous fellows come down from the shires--masters of famous packs1 thrusters1 keen to see ,may foxes killed4 ,and the ,forest entertains them handsomely1 you may be sure4 ,big hampers are unpacked under the oaks which may have been saplings when ,william ,rufus ruled in ,england2 there are dinners1 and1 of course1 a hunt-ball in the ancient village of ,lyndhurst4 ,but as each pleasant day passed1 ,john told himself that the end was drawing near4 ,this was almost the last holidays ,caesar and he would spend together2 and1 afterwards1 would this friendship1 so romantic a passion with one at least of them--would it wither away1 or would it endure to the end8 ,at the end of a fortnight1 ,desmond returned to ,eaton ,square4 ,upon the eve of departure1 ,mrs4 ,verney gave him a small ,prayer-book4 ,i have written something in it1 she said2 but don't open it now4 ,he looked at the fly-leaf as the train rolled out of ,lyndhurst ,station4 ,upon it1 in ,mrs4 ,verney's delicate handwriting1 were a few lines4 ,first his name and the date4 ,below1 a text--,unto whomsoever much is given1 of him shall be much required4 ,and1 below that again1 a verse-- ,not thankful when it pleaseth me1 ,as if ,thy blessings had spare days3 ,but such a heart whose pulse may be-- ,thy praise4 ,desmond stared at the graceful writing long after the train had passed ,totton4 ,am ,i ungrateful8 he asked himself4 ,not to them1 he muttered2 surely not to them4 ,he recalled what ,warde had said about ingratitude being the unpardonable sin4 ,ah6 it was loathsome1 ingratitude6 ,and much had been given to him4 ,how much8 ,for the first time he made1 so to speak1 an inventory of what he had received--his innumerable blessings4 ,what had he given in return8 ,and now the fine handwriting seemed blurred2 he saw it through tears which he ought to have shed4 ,oh1 my ,god1 he murmured1 am ,i ungrateful8 ,the question bit deeper into his mind1 sinking from there into his soul4 99 99 99 99 99 ,when the ,school reassembled1 a curious incident occurred4 ,john happened to be going up the fine flight of steps that leads to the ,old ,schools4 ,he was carrying some books and papers4 ,scaife1 running down the steps1 charged into him4 ,by great good fortune1 no damage was done except to a nicely-bound ,sophocles4 ,john1 however1 felt assured that ,scaife had deliberately intended to knock him down1 seized1 possibly1 by an ecstasy of blind rage not uncommon with him4 ,scaife smiled derisively1 and said-- ,a thousand apologies1 ,verney4 ,one is enough1 ,john replied1 if it is sincere4 ,they eyed each other steadily4 ,john read a furious challenge in ,scaife's bold eyes--more1 a menace1 the threatening frown of power thwarted4 ,scaife seemed to expand1 to fill the horizon1 to blot out the glad sunshine4 ,once again the curious certainty gripped the younger that ,scaife was indeed the personification of evil1 the more malefic because it stalked abroad masked4 ,for ,scaife had outlived his reputation as a breaker of the law4 ,since that terrible experience in the ,fourth ,form ,room1 he had paid tithe of mint and cummin4 ,as a ,sixth ,form boy he upheld authority1 laughing the while in his sleeve4 ,he knew1 of course1 that one mistake1 one slip1 would be fatal4 ,and he prided himself on not making mistakes4 ,he gambled1 but not with boys2 he drank1 not with boys2 he denied his body nothing it craved2 but he never forgot that expulsion from ,harrow meant the loss of a commission in a smart cavalry regiment4 ,when it was intimated to him that the ,guards did not want his father's son1 he laughed bitterly1 and swore to himself that he would show the stuck-up snobs what a soldier they had turned away4 ,a soldier he fully intended to be--a dashing cavalry leader1 if the ,fates were kind4 ,his luck would stand by him2 if not--why--what was life without luck8 ,he had never been a reader1 but he read now the lives of soldiers4 ,murat1 ,uxbridge1 ,cardigan1 ,hodson1 were his heroes4 ,talking of their achievements1 he inflamed his own mind and ,desmond's4 ,the pleasant summer days passed4 ,may melted into ,june4 ,and each ,sunday ,john and ,desmond walked to the ,haunted ,house1 ascended the tower1 and talked4 ,scaife was leaving at the end of the summer4 ,desmond was staying on for the winter term2 then ,john would have him entirely to himself4 ,this thought illumined dark hours1 when he saw his friend whirled away by ,scaife1 transported1 as it were1 by the irresistible power of the man of action4 ,that nothing should be wanting to that trebly-fortunate youth1 he had helped to win the ,public ,schools' ,racquets ,championship4 ,the ,manor was now the crack house--cock-house at racquets and football1 certain to be cock-house at cricket4 ,and ,scaife got most of the credit1 not ,warde1 who smiled more than ever1 and talked continually of ,balliol ,scholarships4 ,he never bragged of victories past4 ,meantime1 ,john was devoting all energies to the competition for the ,prize ,essay4 ,the ,head ,master had propounded as theme3 ,the ,history and ,influence of ,parliamentary ,oratory4 ,bit by bit1 ,john read or declaimed it to ,desmond4 ,then1 according to custom1 ,desmond copied it out for his friend4 ,signed ,spero ,infestis1 with a sealed envelope containing ,john's name inside and the motto outside1 the ,,ms4 was placed in the ,head ,master's letter-box4 ,john1 cooling rapidly after the fever of composition1 condemned his stuff as hopelessly bad2 ,caesar went about telling everybody that ,jonathan would win easily1 with a bit to spare4 ,john did win1 but that proved to be the least part of his triumph4 ,the ,essay had to be declaimed upon ,speech ,day4 ,once more ,john experienced the pangs that had twisted him at the concert1 long ago1 when he had sung to the ,nation's hero4 ,and as before1 he began weakly4 ,then1 the fire seizing him1 self-consciousness was exorcised by feeling1 and forgetful of the hundreds of faces about him1 he burst into genuine oratory4 ,thrilled himself1 he thrilled others4 ,his voice faltered again1 but with an emotion that found an echo in the hearts of his audience2 his hand shook1 feeling the pulse of old and young in front of him4 ,dominated1 swept away by his theme1 he dominated others4 ,when he finished1 in the silence that preceded the roar of applause1 he knew that he had triumphed1 for he saw ,desmond's glowing countenance1 radiant with pleasure1 transfigured by amazement and admiration4 ,next day a great newspaper hailed the ,harrow boy as one destined to delight and to lead1 perhaps1 an all-conquering party in the ,house of ,commons4 ,and yet1 warmed to the core by this praise1 ,john counted it as nothing compared with his mother's smile and ,desmond's fervent grip4 ,fortune1 however1 comes to no man--or boy--with both hands full4 ,immediately after ,speech ,day1 ,john's bubble of pride and happiness was pricked by ,scaife4 ,midsummer madness seized the ,demon4 ,one may conceive that the innate recklessness of his nature1 suppressed by an iron will1 and smouldering throughout many months1 burst at last into flame4 ,desmond told ,john that the ,demon had spent a riotous night in town4 ,he had slipped out of the ,manor after prayers1 had driven up to a certain club in ,regent ,street1 returned in time for first school1 fresh as paint--so ,desmond said--and then1 not content with such an achievement1 must needs brag of it to ,desmond4 ,and if he's nailed1 ,eton wins1 concluded ,desmond4 ,i've told you1 because together we must put a stop to such larks4 ,john slightly raised his thick eyebrows4 ,it was curious that ,caesar always chose to ignore the hatred which he must have known to exist between his two friends4 ,or did he fatuously believe that1 because ,john exercised an influence over himself1 the same influence would or could be exercised over ,scaife8 ,we8 said ,john4 ,i've tried and failed4 ,but together1 ,i say---- ,i shan't interfere1 ,caesar4 ,jonathan1 you must4 ,it would be a fool's errand4 ,we three have gone up the ,school together4 ,you have never been fair to ,scaife4 ,i tell you he's sound at core4 ,why1 after he was swished---- ,desmond told ,john what had passed2 ,john shook his head4 ,he could understand better than any one else why ,scaife had broken down4 ,he has splendid ambitions1 pursued ,desmond4 ,he's going to be a great soldier1 you see4 ,he thinks of nothing else4 ,you never have liked him1 but because of that ,i thought you would do what you could4 ,the disappointment and chagrin in his voice shook ,john's resolution4 ,to please you1 ,i'll try4 ,and accordingly the absurd experiment was made4 ,afterwards1 ,john asked himself a thousand times why he had not foreseen the inevitable result4 ,but the explanation is almost too simple to be recorded3 he wished to convince a friend that he would attempt anything to prove his friendship4 ,that night they went together to ,scaife's room4 ,the second-best room in the ,manor1 situated upon the first floor1 it overlooked the back of the garden1 where there was a tangled thicket of laurustinus and rhododendron4 ,scaife had spent much money in making this room as comfortable as possible4 ,it had the appearance of a man's room1 and presented all the characteristics of the man who lived in it4 ,everything connected with ,scaife's triumphal march through the ,school was preserved4 ,on the walls were his caps1 fezes1 and cups4 ,you could hardly see the paper for the framed photographs of ,scaife and his fellow bloods4 ,scaife as cricketer1 ,scaife as football-player1 ,scaife as racquet-player and athlete1 stared boldly and triumphantly at you4 ,he had a fine desk covered with massive silver ornaments4 ,upon this1 as upon everything else in the room1 was the hall-mark of the successful man of business4 ,the papers1 the pens and pencils1 the filed bills and letters1 the books of reference1 spoke eloquently of a mind that used order as a means to a definite end4 ,all his books were well bound4 ,his boots were on trees4 ,his racquets were in their press4 ,had you opened his chest of drawers1 you would have found his clothes in perfect condition4 ,obviously1 to an observant eye1 the owner of this room gave his mind to details1 because he realized that on details hang great and successful enterprises4 ,scaife stared at ,john1 but welcomed him civilly enough4 ,cricket1 of course1 explained this unexpected visit4 ,as ,desmond blurted out what was in his mind1 ,scaife frowned2 then he laughed unpleasantly4 ,and so ,i told ,jonathan1 concluded ,desmond4 ,so you told ,jonathan1 repeated ,scaife4 ,are you in the habit of telling ,jonathan1--the derisive inflection as he pronounced the name warned ,john at least that he had much better have stayed away--things which concern others and which don't concern him8 ,if you're going to take it like that---- ,keep cool1 ,caesar4 ,i'll admit that you mean well4 ,i should like to hear what ,verney has to say4 ,at that ,john spoke--haltingly4 ,fluent speech upon any subject very dear to him had always been difficult4 ,he could talk glibly enough about ordinary topics2 his sense of humour1 his retentive memory1 made him welcome even in the critical society of ,eaton ,square1 but you know him as a creature of unplumbed reserves4 ,the matter in hand was so vital that he could not touch it with firm hands or voice4 ,he spoke at his worst1 and he knew it2 concluding an incoherent and slightly inarticulate recital of the reasons which ought to keep ,scaife in his house at night with a lame ,two heads ought to prevail against one4 ,scaife showed his fine teeth4 ,you think that8 ,your head and ,caesar's against mine8 ,the challenge revealed itself in the derisive1 sneering tone4 ,john shrugged his shoulders and rose4 ,i have blundered2 ,i am sorry4 ,hold hard1 said ,scaife4 ,he read censure upon ,desmond's ingenuous countenance4 ,then his temper whipped him to a furious resentment against ,john1 as an enemy who had turned the tables with good breeding2 who had gained1 indeed1 a victory against odds4 ,scaife drew in his breath2 his brows met in a frown4 ,you have not blundered2 and you are not sorry1 he said deliberately4 ,i'm not a fool1 ,verney2 but perhaps ,i have underrated your ability4 ,you're as clever as they make 'em4 ,you knew well enough that you were the last person in the world to lead me in a string2 you knew that1 ,i say1 and yet you come here to pose as the righteous youth1 doing his duty--eh8--against odds1 and accepting credit for the same from ,caesar4 ,why1 it's plain to me as the nose upon your face that in your heart you would like me to be sacked4 ,desmond interrupted4 ,you are mad1 ,demon4 ,take that back2 take it back6 ,ask him1 said ,scaife4 ,he hates me1 and common decency ought to have kept him out of this room4 ,but he's not a liar4 ,ask him4 ,put it your own way4 ,soften it1 make pap of it1 if you like1 but get an answer4 ,jonathan1 it is not true1 is it8 ,you don't like ,scaife2 but you would be sorry1 very sorry1 to see him--sacked4 ,i'm glad you've not funked it1 said ,scaife4 ,you've put it squarely4 ,let him answer it as squarely4 ,john was white to the lips1 white and trembling2 despicable in his own eyes1 how much more despicable1 therefore1 in the eyes of his friend1 whose passionate faith in him was about to be scorched and shrivelled4 ,scaife began to laugh4 ,for ,god's sake1 don't laugh6 said ,desmond4 ,jonathan1 ,i know you are too proud to defend yourself against such an abominable charge4 ,he's not a liar1 said ,scaife4 ,it's true1 said ,john1 in a strangled voice4 ,you have wished that he might be sacked8 ,yes4 ,john met ,desmond's indignant eyes with an expression which the other was too impetuous1 too inexperienced to interpret4 ,into that look of passionate reproach he flung all that must be left unsaid1 all that ,scaife could read as easily as if it were scored in letters of flame4 ,because1 in his modesty and humility1 he had ever reckoned that ,scaife would prevail against himself--because1 with unerring instinct1 he had apprehended1 as few boys could apprehend1 the issues involved1 he had desired1 fervently desired1 that ,scaife should be swept from ,caesar's path4 ,but this he could not plead as an excuse to his friend2 and ,scaife had known that1 and had used his knowledge with fiendish success4 ,john lowered his eyes and walked from the room4 ,when he met ,desmond again1 nothing was said on either side4 ,john told himself that he would speak1 if ,desmond spoke first4 ,but evidently ,desmond had determined already the nature of their future relations4 ,they no longer shared ,no4 #g1 ,john being in the ,upper ,sixth with a room to himself1 but they still found together4 ,to separate would mean a public scandal from which each shrank in horror4 ,no2 let them meet at meals as before till the end of the term4 ,indeed1 so little change was made in their previous intercourse1 that ,john began to hope that ,caesar would walk with him as usual upon the following ,sunday4 ,and if he did--if he did1 ,john felt that he would speak4 ,on the top of the tower1 looking towards the ,spire1 alone with his friend1 exalted above the thorns and brambles of the wilderness1 words would come to him4 ,but on the following ,sunday ,desmond walked with ,scaife4 ,,footnotes3 #cd ,of these1 the ,park1 now a boarding-house1 was a characteristic specimen4 ,it belonged to ,lord ,northwick1 ,lord of the ,manor of ,harrow4 #ce ,in the thirties ,harrow boys played ,jack o' ,lantern1 or nocturnal ,hare and ,hounds4 ,they used to attend ,kingsbury ,races and ,pinner ,fair4 ,lord ,alexander ,russell1 when he was a boy at the ,grove1 kept a pack of beagles at the foot of the ,hill4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,lord's ,there we sat in the circle vast1 ,hard by the tents1 from noon1 ,and looked as the day went slowly past ,and the runs came all too soon2 ,and never1 ,i think1 in the years gone by1 ,since cricketer first went in1 ,did the dying so refuse to die1 ,or the winning so hardly win4 ,my dear ,jonathan1 ,i'm delighted to see you4 ,you know my father1 ,i think8 ,it was the ,caterpillar that spoke4 ,john shook hands with ,colonel ,egerton4 ,the three were standing in the ,members' ,enclosure at ,lord's4 ,the ,caterpillar1 gorgeous in frock-coat1 with three corn-flowers#cf in the lapel of it1 was about as great a buck as his sire1 quite as conspicuous1 and1 seemingly1 as cool4 ,it happened to be a blazing hot day1 but heat seldom affected ,colonel ,egerton4 ,by ,jove1 he said to ,john1 ,i'm told it's a certainty this year1 and ,i've come early1 too early for me1 to see a glorious victory4 ,there's civil war raging on the top of the ,trent coach1 ,i give you my word4 ,we've won the toss1 said ,john4 ,ah1 there's ,charles ,desmond1 an early bird1 too4 ,he bustled away1 leaving ,john and the ,caterpillar together4 ,the great ground in front of them was being cleared4 ,one could see1 through the few people scattered here and there1 the wickets pitched in the middle of that vast expanse of lawn1 and the umpires in their long white coats4 ,upon the top of the steps1 in the middle of the pavilion1 the ,eton captain was collecting his ,eleven4 ,the ,duffer1 who had got his ,flannels at the last moment1 came up and joined ,john and the ,caterpillar4 ,the ,manor's well to the front1 said the ,caterpillar4 ,by ,jove6 ,i never thought to see ,fluff in the ,eleven4 ,fluff came on tremendously this term1 the ,duffer replied4 ,of course the ,kinlochs are a cricketing family4 ,good joke the brothers playing against each other1 said ,john4 ,warde1 the ,duffer nodded in the direction of ,warde1 who was talking with ,charles ,desmond and ,colonel ,egerton1 has worked like a slave4 ,he made a cricketer out of ,fluff and a scholar out of ,jonathan4 ,he's so mad keen to see us win1 that he's given me the jumps4 ,you must keep cool1 the ,caterpillar murmured4 ,i've just come from the ,trent coach4 ,fluff has it from the brother who is playing that the ,eton bowling is weak4 ,but ,strathpeffer1 the eldest son1 tells me the batsmen are stronger than last year4 ,he seemed anxious to bet2 so we have a fiver about it4 ,they're taking the field4 ,the ,eton ,eleven walked towards the wicket1 loudly cheered4 ,caesar came up in his pads1 carrying his bat and gloves4 ,he shook hands with the ,caterpillar1 and said1 with a groan1 that he had to take the first ball4 ,keep cool1 said the ,caterpillar4 ,the bowling's weak2 ,i have it from ,cosmo ,kinloch4 ,they're in a precious funk4 ,so am ,i1 said the ,duffer4 ,but you're a bowler1 said ,desmond4 ,if ,i get out first ball1 ,i shall cut my throat4 ,but ,caesar looked alert1 cool1 and neither under- nor over-confident4 ,you'll cut the ball1 not your throat1 said the ,duffer4 ,cutting was ,caesar's strong point4 ,the ,caterpillar nodded1 and spoke oracularly-- ,my governor says he never shoots at a snipe without muttering to himself1 ',snipe on toast4' ,it steadies his nerves4 ,when you see the ball leave the bowler's hand1 you say to yourself1 ',eton on toast4' ,your own1 ,caterpillar8 ,my own1 said the ,caterpillar1 modestly4 ,i don't often make a joke1 but that's mine4 ,pass it on4 ,the other ,harrovian about to go in beckoned to ,desmond4 ,caesar won't be bowled first ball1 said the ,caterpillar4 ,he's the sort that rises to an emergency4 ,can't we find a seat8 ,they sat down and watched the ,eton captain placing his field4 ,desmond and his companion were walking slowly towards the wickets amid ,harrow cheers4 ,the cheering was lukewarm as yet4 ,it would have fire enough in it presently4 ,the ,caterpillar pointed out some of the swells4 ,that's old ,lyburn4 ,hasn't missed a match since '#fd4 ,was brought here once with a broken leg6 ,carried in a litter1 by ,jove6 ,that fellow with the long1 white beard is ,lord ,fawley4 ,he made #gh not out in the days of ,charlemagne4 ,it was in '#ec1 said the ,duffer1 who never joked on really serious subjects2 and he made #fh1 not #gh4 ,he's pulling his beard4 ,i believe he's as nervous as ,i am4 ,presently the innumerable voices about them were hushed2 all eyes turned in one direction4 ,desmond was about to take the first ball4 ,it was delivered moderately fast1 with a slight break4 ,desmond played forward4 ,well played1 sir6 ,well pla-a-ayed6 ,the shout rumbled round the huge circle4 ,the beginning and the end of a great match are always thrilling4 ,the second and third balls were played like the first4 ,john could hear ,mr4 ,desmond saying to ,warde1 ,he has ,hugo's style and way of standing--eh8 ,and ,warde replied1 ,yes2 but he's a finer batsman4 ,ah-h-h6 ,the first real cheer burst like a bomb4 ,desmond had cut the sixth ball to the boundary4 ,over6 ,the new bowler was a tall1 thin boy with flaxen hair4 ,that's ,cosmo ,kinloch1 ,fluff's brother1 said ,john4 ,i wonder they can't do better than that4 ,even ,i knocked him all over the shop at ,white ,ladies last summer4 ,he's come on1 they tell me1 said the ,caterpillar4 ,good ,lord1 he nearly had him first ball4 ,fluff's brother bowled slows of a good length1 with an awkward break from the off to the leg4 ,teasers1 said the ,caterpillar1 critically4 ,hullo6 ,no1 my young friend1 that may do well enough in ,shropshire1 not here4 ,a ball breaking sharply from the off had struck the batsman's pad2 he had stepped in front of his wicket to cut it4 ,country umpires are often beguiled by bowlers into giving wrong decisions in such cases2 not so your ,london expert4 ,cosmo ,kinloch appealed--in vain4 ,he'll send a short one down now1 said ,john4 ,you see4 ,and1 sure enough1 a long hop came to the off1 curling inwards after it pitched4 ,the ,eton captain had nearly all his men on the off side4 ,the ,harrovian pulled the ball right round to the boundary4 ,well hit6 ,well pulled6 ,two #d's2 that's a good beginning1 said the ,duffer4 ,a couple of singles followed1 and then the first #aj went up amid cheers4 ,here's my governor1 said the ,duffer4 ,he was three years in the ,eleven and ,captain his last term4 ,you've told us that a thousand times1 said the ,caterpillar4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus ,duff greeted the boys warmly4 ,his eyes sparkled out of a cheery1 bearded face4 ,look at him well4 ,an ,harrovian of the ,harrovians this4 ,his grandfathers on the maternal and paternal side had been friends at ,harrow in ,byron's time4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus wore rather a shabby coat and a terrible hat1 but the consummate ,caterpillar1 who respected pedigrees1 regarded him with pride and veneration4 ,he came up from his obscure ,west ,country vicarage to town just once a year--to see the match4 ,if you asked him1 he would tell you quite simply that he would sooner see the match and his old friends than go to ,palestine2 and the ,rev4 ,septimus had yearned to visit ,palestine ever since he left ,cambridge2 and it is not likely that this great wish will ever be gratified4 ,he is the father of three sons1 but the ,duffer is the first to get into the ,eleven4 ,charles ,desmond joins them4 ,at the moment1 ,charles ,desmond is supposed to be one of the most harried men in the ,empire4 ,times are troublous4 ,a war-cloud1 as large as ,kruger's hand1 has just risen in the ,south1 and is spreading itself over the whole world4 ,but to-day the great ,minister has left the cares of office in ,downing ,street4 ,he hails the ,rev4 ,septimus with a genial laugh and a hearty grasp of the hand4 ,ah1 ,sep1 upon your word of honour1 now--would you sooner be here to see the ,duffer take half a dozen wickets1 or be down in ,somerset1 ,bishop of ,bath and ,wells8 ,when you offer me the bishopric1 replied the ,rev4 ,septimus1 with a twinkle1 ,i'll answer that question1 my dear ,charles1 and not before4 ,you old humbug6 ,you're so puffed up with sinful pride that you've stuck your topper on to your head the wrong way about4 ,bless my soul1 said the ,duffer's father1 so ,i have4 ,that topper of the governor's1 the ,duffer remarked solemnly1 has seen twenty-five matches at least4 ,john looked at no hats2 his eyes were on the pitch4 ,another round of cheers proclaimed that #bj had gone up4 ,both boys are batting steadily2 no more boundary hits2 a snick here1 a snack there--and then--merciful ,heavens6--,caesar has cut a curling ball bang into short slip's hands4 ,short slip--wretched youth--muffs it6 ,derisive remarks from ,rev4 ,septimus4 ,well caught6 ,well held6 ,tha-a-nks6 ,the ,caterpillar would pronounce this sort of chaff bad form in a contemporary4 ,he removes his hat4 ,by ,jove6 says he4 ,it's very warm4 ,caesar times the next ball beautifully4 ,it glides past point and under the ropes4 ,early as it is1 the ground seems to be packed with people4 ,glorious weather has allured everybody4 ,stand after stand is filled up4 ,the colour becomes kaleidoscopic4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus1 during the brief interval of an over1 allows his eyes to stray round the huge circle4 ,upon the ground are the youth1 the beauty1 the rank and fashion of the kingdom1 and1 best of all1 his old friends4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus has a weakness1 being1 of course1 human to the finger-tips4 ,he calls himself a laudator temporis acti4 ,in his day1 the match was less of a function4 ,the boys sat round upon the grass2 behind them were the carriages and coaches--you could drive on to the ground then6--and here and there1 only here and there1 a tent or a small stand4 ,consule ,planco--the parson loves a ,latin tag--the match was an immense picnic for ,harrovians and ,etonians4 ,and1 my word1 you ought to have heard the chaff when an unlucky fielder put the ball on the floor4 ,or1 when a batsman interposed a pad where a bat ought to have been4 ,or1 if a player was bowled first ball4 ,or1 if he swaggered as he walked1 the cynosure of all eyes1 from the pavilion to the pitch4 ,upon this subject the ,rev4 ,septimus will preach a longer 7and a more interesting7 sermon than any you will hear from his pulpit in ,blackford-,orcas ,church4 ,loud cheers put an end to the parson's reminiscences4 ,desmond's companion has been clean bowled for a useful fifteen runs4 ,he walks towards the pavilion slowly4 ,then1 as he hears the ,harrow cheers1 he blushes like a nymph of sixteen1 for he counts himself a failure4 ,last year he made a duck in his first innings1 and five in the second4 ,no cheers then4 ,this is his first taste of the honey mortals call success4 ,he has faced the great world1 and captured its applause4 ,when does ,scaife go in8 the ,rev4 ,septimus asks4 ,second wicket down4 ,more cheers as the second man in strolls down the steps4 ,a careful cove1 so the ,duffer tells his father--one who will try to break the back of the bowling4 ,they're taking off ,fluff's brother1 the ,caterpillar observes4 ,a thick-set young man holds the ball4 ,he makes some slight alteration in the field4 ,the wicket-keeper stands back2 the slips and point retreat a few yards4 ,the ball that took the first wicket was the last of an over4 ,desmond has to receive the attack of the new bowler4 ,the thick-set ,etonian1 having arranged the off side to his satisfaction1 prepares to take a long run4 ,he holds the ball in the left hand1 runs sideways at great speed1 changes the ball from the left hand to the right at the last moment1 and seems to hurl both it and himself at the batsman4 ,greased lightning6 says ,john4 ,a dry summer had made the pitch rather fiery4 ,the ball1 short-pitched1 whizzes just over ,caesar's head4 ,a second and a third seem to graze his cap4 ,murmurs are heard4 ,is the ,eton bowler trying to kill or maim his antagonist8 ,is he deliberately endeavouring to establish a paralysing funk8 ,but the fourth ball is a fizzer--the right length1 a bailer1 terrifically fast1 but just off the wicket4 ,desmond snicks it between short slip and third man2 it goes to the boundary4 ,that's what ,caesar likes1 says the ,duffer4 ,he can cut behind the wicket till the cows come home4 ,cut--and come again1 says the ,caterpillar4 ,the fifth ball is played forward for a risky single4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus forgets that times have changed4 ,and if they have1 what of it8 ,he hasn't4 ,his deep1 vibrant voice rolls across the lawn right up to the batsman-- ,steady there6 ,steady6 ,and now the new-comer has to take the last ball of the over--his first4 ,alas and alack6 ,the sixth ball is dead on to the middle stump4 ,the ,harrovian plays forward4 ,man alive1 you ought to have played back to that6 ,the ball grazes the top edge of the bat's blade and flies straight into the welcoming hands of the wicket-keeper4 ,two wickets for #cc4 ,breathless suspense1 broken by tumultuous cheers as ,scaife strides on to the ground4 ,his bat is under his arm2 he is drawing on his gloves4 ,thousands of men and as many women are staring at his splendid face and figure4 ,what a mover6 murmurs the ,rev4 ,septimus4 ,scaife strides on4 ,upon his face is the expression ,john knows so well and fears so much--the consciousness of power1 the stern determination to be first1 to shatter previous records4 ,john can predict--and does so with absolute certainty--what will happen4 ,for six overs the ,demon will treat every ball--good1 bad1 and indifferent--with the most distinguished consideration4 ,and then1 when his eye is in1 he will give the ,etonians such leather-hunting as they never had before4 ,after a long stand made by ,scaife and ,desmond1 ,caesar is caught at cover-point1 but ,scaife remains4 ,it is a ,colossus batting1 not a ,harrow boy4 ,the balls come down the pitch2 the ,demon's shoulders and chest widen2 the great knotted arms go up--crash6 ,first singles2 then twos2 then threes2 and then boundary after boundary4 ,to ,john--and to how many others8--,scaife has been transformed into a tremendous human machine1 inexorably cutting and slicing1 pulling and driving--the embodied symbol of force1 ruthlessly applied1 indefatigable1 omnipotent4 ,the ,eton captain1 hopeful against odds1 puts on a cunning and cool dealer in lobs4 ,fluff is in1 playing steadily1 holding up his wicket1 letting the giant make the runs4 ,the ,etonian delivers his first ball4 ,scaife leaves the crease4 ,fluff sees the ball slowly spinning--harmless enough till it pitches1 and then deadly as a writhing serpent4 ,scaife will not let it pitch4 ,the ball curves slightly from the leg to the off4 ,scaife is facing the pavilion---- ,a stupendous roar bursts from the crowd4 ,the ball1 hit with terrific force1 sails away over the green sward1 over the ropes1 over the heads of the spectators1 and slap on to the top of the pavilion4 ,only four2 but one of the finest swipes ever seen at ,lord's4 ,shade of ,mynn1 come forth from the tomb to applaud that mighty stroke6 ,but the dealer in lobs knows that the man who leaves his citadel1 leaves it1 sooner or later1 not to return4 ,in the hope that ,scaife1 intoxicated with triumph1 will run out again1 he pitches the next lob too much up--a half-volley4 ,scaife smiles4 ,john's prediction has been fulfilled4 ,a record has been established4 ,never before in an ,eton and ,harrow match have two balls been hit over the ropes in succession4 ,the crowds have lost their self-possession4 ,men1 women1 and children are becoming delirious4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus throws his ancient topper into the air2 the ,caterpillar splits a brand-new pair of delicate grey gloves4 ,upon the tops of the coaches1 mothers1 sisters1 aunts1 and cousins are cheering like ,fourth-,form boys4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,harrow first innings closed with #bhi runs1 ,scaife carrying out his bat for an almost flawless #abf4 ,desmond made #gb2 ,fluff was in for twenty-seven minutes--a great performance for him--and was caught in the slips after compiling a useful #ag4 ,but the remarkable feature of the innings was the short time in which so many runs were made--exactly three hours4 ,the elevens went in to lunch1 as the crowd poured over the ground1 laughing and chattering4 ,this is a delightful hour to the ,rev4 ,septimus4 ,he will walk to the wickets1 and wait there for his innumerable friends4 ,it will be1 ,hullo1 ,sep6 ,by ,jove1 here's dear old ,sep6 ,sep1 you unfriendly beast1 why do you never come to see us8 ,sep1 when are you going to send that awful tile of yours to the ,british ,museum8 ,and so on4 ,twenty men1 at least--some of them with names known wherever the ,union ,jack waves--will ask the ,rev4 ,sep to lunch with them2 but the ,rev4 ,sep will say1 as he has said these thirty years1 that he doesn't come to ,lord's to gorge4 ,a sandwich presently1 and a glass of fizz1 if you please2 but time is precious4 ,a tall bishop strolls up--one of the pillars of the ,church1 an eloquent preacher1 and an autocrat in his diocese4 ,most people regard him with awe4 ,the ,rev4 ,sep greets him with a scandalous slap on the back1 and addresses him1 the apostolic one1 as--,lamper4#cg ,and the ,lord ,bishop of ,dudley says1 like the others-- ,hullo1 ,sep6 ,we used to think you a slogger1 but you never came anywhere near that smite of ,scaife's4 ,i thought his smite was coming too near me1 says the ,rev4 ,sep1 with a shrewd glance at the pavilion4 ,lamper1 old chap1 ,i am glad to see your 'phiz' again4 ,and so they stroll off together1 mighty prelate and humble country parson1 once again happy ,harrow boys4 ,and now1 before ,eton goes in1 we must climb on to the ,trent coach4 ,fluff and his brother ,cosmo1 the ,eton bowler1 are lunching in other company1 but we shall find ,colonel ,egerton and the ,caterpillar and ,warde2 so the ,hill slightly outnumbers the ,plain1 as the duke puts it4 ,next to the duchess sits ,mrs4 ,verney4 ,the duke is torn nearly in two between his desire that ,fluff should make runs and that ,cosmo1 the ,etonian1 should take wickets4 ,his ,eton sons regard him as a traitor1 a rat1 and ,colonel ,egerton gravely offers him the corn-flowers out of his coat4 ,you can laugh1 the duke says seriously1 but when ,i see what ,harrow has done for ,esme1 ,i'm almost sorry--he looks at his youngest son 7nearly1 but not quite1 as delicate-looking as ,fluff used to be7--,i'm almost sorry that ,i didn't send ,alastair there also4 ,alastair smiles contemptuously4 ,if you had1 he says1 ,i should have never spoken to you again4 ,esme is a forgiving chap1 but you've wrecked his life4 ,at least1 that's my opinion4 ,after luncheon1 the crowd on the lawn thickens4 ,the ladies want to see the pitch1 and1 shall we add1 to display their wonderful frocks4 ,the enclosure at ,ascot on ,cup ,day is not so gay and pretty a scene as this4 ,the ,caterpillar1 sly dog1 has secured ,iris ,warde1 and looks uncommonly pleased with himself and his companion2 a smart pair1 but smart pairs are common as gooseberries4 ,it is the year of picture hats and ,gainsborough dresses4 ,england at its best1 says ,miss ,iris4 ,and in its best1 the ,caterpillar replies solemnly4 ,iris ,warde is as keen as her father's daughter ought to be4 ,she tells the ,caterpillar that when she was a small girl with only threepence a week pocket-money1 she used to save a penny a week for twelve weeks preceding the match1 so as to be able to put a shilling into the plate on ,sunday if ,harrow won4 ,and ,i dare say you'll marry an ,etonian and wear light blue after all1 growls the ,caterpillar4 ,never6 says ,miss ,iris4 ,now1 amongst the black coats in the pavilion you see a white figure or two4 ,the ,elevens have finished lunch1 and are mixing with the crowd4 ,scaife is talking with a famous ,old ,carthusian1 one of the finest living exponents of cricket1 sometime an ,international at football1 and a ,d4,s4,o4 ,the great man is very cordial1 for he sees in ,scaife an ,all-,england player4 ,scaife listens1 smiling4 ,obviously1 he is impatient to begin again4 ,as soon as possible he collects his men1 and leads them into the field4 ,one can hear the policemen saying in loud1 firm voices1 ,pass along1 please2 pass along6 ,as if by magic the crowds on the lawn melt away4 ,in a few minutes the ,etonians come out of the pavilion4 ,the sun shines upon their pale-blue caps and sashes1 and upon faces slightly pale also1 but not yet blue4 ,for ,eton has a strong batting team1 and ,scaife and ,desmond have proved that it is a batsman's wicket4 ,and now the connoisseurs1 the really great players1 settle themselves down comfortably to watch ,scaife field4 ,that1 to them1 is the great attraction1 apart from the contest between the rival schools4 ,some of these ,olympians have been heard to say that ,scaife's innings against weak bowling was no very meritorious performance1 although the two swipes1 they admit1 were parlous knocks4 ,still1 ,public ,school cricket is kindergarten cricket1 and if you've not been at ,eton or ,harrow1 and if you loathe a fashionable crowd1 and if you think first-class fielding is worth coming to ,lord's to see1 why1 then1 my dear fellow1 look at ,scaife6 ,scaife stands at cover-point4 ,if you put up your binoculars1 you will see that he is almost on his toes4 ,his heels are not touching the ground4 ,and he bends slightly1 not quite as low as a sprinter1 but so low that he can start with amazing speed4 ,for two overs not a ball worth fielding rolls his way4 ,ah6 that will be punished4 ,a long hop comes down the pitch4 ,the ,etonian squares his shoulders4 ,his eye1 to be sure1 is on the ball1 but in his mind's eye is the boundary2 in his ear the first burst of applause4 ,bat meets ball with a smack which echoes from the ,tennis ,court to the stands across the ground4 ,now watch ,scaife6 ,he dashes at top speed for the only point where his hands may intercept that hard-hit ball4 ,and1 by ,heaven6 he stops it1 and flicks it up to the wicket-keeper1 who whips off the bails4 ,how's that8 ,not out6 ,well fielded2 well fielded1 sir6 ,a very close squeak1 says the ,caterpillar4 ,they won't steal many runs from the ,demon4 ,sometimes1 says ,iris ,warde1 ,i really think that he is a demon4 ,the ,caterpillar nods4 ,you're more than half right1 ,miss ,warde4 ,presently1 the first wicket falls2 then the second soon after4 ,and the score is under twenty4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus is beaming2 the ,bishop seated beside him looks as if he were about to pronounce a benediction2 ,charles ,desmond is scintillating with wit and good humour4 ,visions of a single innings victory engross the minds of these three4 ,they are in the front row of the pavilion1 and they mean to see every ball of the game4 ,but soon it becomes evident that a determined stand is being made4 ,runs come slowly1 but they come2 the score creeps up--thirty1 forty1 fifty4 ,fluff goes on to bowl4 ,on his day ,fluff is tricky1 but this1 apparently1 is not his day4 ,the runs come more quickly4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus removes his hat1 wipes his forehead1 and replaces his hat4 ,it is on the back of his head1 but he is unaware of that4 ,the ,bishop appears now as if he were reading a new commination--to wit1 ,cursed is he that smiteth his neighbour2 cursed is he that bowleth half volleys4 ,the ,minister is frowning2 things may look black in ,south ,africa1 but they're looking blacker in ,st4 ,john's ,wood4 ,one hundred runs for two wickets4 ,the ,eton cheers are becoming exasperating4 ,a few seats away ,warde is twiddling his thumbs and biting his lips4 ,old ,lord ,fawley has slipped into the pavilion for a brandy and soda4 ,at last6 ,scaife takes off ,fluff and puts on a fast bowler1 changing his own place in the field to short slip4 ,the ball1 a first ball and very fast1 puzzles the batsman1 accustomed to slows4 ,he mistimes it2 it grazes the edge of his bat1 and whizzes off far to the right of ,scaife1 but the ,demon has it4 ,somehow or other1 ask of the spirits of the air--not of the writer--somehow his wonderful right hand has met and held the ball4 ,well caught1 sir2 well caught6 ,that boy ought to be knighted on the spot1 says ,charles ,desmond4 ,then the three generously applaud the retiring batsman4 ,he has played a brilliant innings1 and restored the confidence of all ,etonians4 ,the ,eton captain descends the steps2 a veteran this1 not a dashing player1 but sure1 patient1 and full of grit4 ,he asks the umpire to give him middle and leg2 then he notes the positions of the field4 ,whew-w-w-w6 ,d----n it6 ejaculates ,charles ,desmond4 ,bishop and parson regard him with gratitude4 ,there are times when an honest oath becomes expedient4 ,the ,eton captain has cut the first ball into ,fluff's hands1 and ,fluff has dropped it6 ,alastair ,kinloch1 from the top of the ,trent coach1 screams out1 ,jolly well muffed6 ,the great ,minister silently thanks ,heaven that point is the ,duke's son and not his4 ,and1 of course1 the ,eton captain never gives another chance till he is dismissed with half a century to his credit4 ,meantime five more wickets have fallen4 ,seven down for #aia6 ,eton leaves the field with a score of #bbf against ,harrow's #bhi4 ,harrow goes in without delay1 and one wicket is taken for #ac runs before the stumps are drawn4 ,charles ,desmond looks at the sky4 ,looks like rain to-night1 he says anxiously4 ,and so ends ,friday's play4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the morrow dawned grey1 obscured by mist rising from ground soaked by two hours' heavy rain4 ,you may be sure that all our friends were early at ,lord's1 and that the pitch was examined by thousands of anxious eyes4 ,the ,eton fast bowler was seen to smile4 ,upon a similar wicket had he not done the famous hat-trick only three weeks before8 ,the rain1 however1 was over1 and soon the sun would drive away the filmy mists4 ,no man alive could foretell what condition the pitch would be in after a few hours of blazing sunshine4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus told ,charles ,desmond that he considered the situation to be critical1 and1 although he had read the morning paper1 he was not alluding even indirectly to ,south ,african affairs4 ,charles ,desmond said that1 other things being equal1 the ,hill would triumph2 but he admitted that other things were very far from equal4 ,it looked as if ,harrow would have to bat upon a treacherous wicket1 and ,eton on a sound one4 ,at half-past ten punctually the men were in the field4 ,scaife issued last instructions4 ,block the bowling2 don't try to score till you see what tricks the ground will play4 ,a minute saved now may mean a quarter of an hour to us later4 ,caesar nodded cheerfully4 ,the fact that the luck had changed stimulated every fibre of his being4 ,and he said that he felt in his bones that this was going to be a famous match1 like that of '#he--something never to be forgotten4 ,charles ,desmond spoke few words while his son was batting4 ,it was a tradition among the ,desmonds that they rose superior to emergency4 ,the ,minister wondered whether his ,harry would rise or fall4 ,the fast bowler delivered the first ball4 ,it bumped horribly4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus shuddered and closed his eyes4 ,caesar got well over it4 ,the third ball was cut for three4 ,the fourth whizzed down--a wide4 ,the fast bowler dipped the ball into the sawdust4 ,it isn't all jam for him1 whispered the ,rev4 ,septimus4 ,well bowled--well bowled6 ,alas6 the middle stump was knocked clean out of the ground4 ,caesar's partner1 a steady1 careful player1 had been bowled by his first ball4 ,two wickets for #ag4 ,the crowd were expecting the hero1 but ,fluff was walking towards the wickets1 wondering whether he should reach them alive4 ,never had his heart beat as at this moment4 ,scaife had come up to him as soon as he had examined the pitch4 ,fluff1 ,i am putting you in early because you are a fellow ,i can trust4 ,my first and last word is1 hit at nothing that isn't wide of the wicket4 ,the ground will probably improve fast4 ,fluff nodded4 ,a hive of bees seemed to have lodged in his head1 and an active automatic hammer in his heart2 but he didn't dare tell the ,demon that funk1 abject funk1 possessed him1 body and soul4 ,the second bowler began his first over4 ,he bowled slows4 ,desmond played the six balls back along the ground4 ,a maiden over4 ,and then that thick-set1 muscular beast1 for so ,fluff regarded him1 stared fixedly at ,fluff's middle stump4 ,fluff glanced round4 ,the wicket-keeper had a grim smile on his lips1 for his billet was no easy one4 ,cosmo ,kinloch at short slip looked as if it were a foregone conclusion that ,fluff would put the ball into his hands4 ,then ,fluff faced the bowler4 ,now for it6 ,the first ball was half a foot off the wicket1 but ,fluff let it go by4 ,the second came true enough4 ,fluff blocked it4 ,the third flew past ,fluff's leg1 but he just snicked it4 ,desmond started to run1 and then stopped1 holding up his hand4 ,cheers rippled round the ring for the first hit to the boundary4 ,that was a bit of sheer luck1 ,fluff reflected4 ,after this both boys played steadily for some ten minutes4 ,then1 very slowly1 ,caesar began to score4 ,he had made about fifteen when he drove a ball hard to the on1 ,fluff backing up4 ,desmond1 watching the travelling ball1 called to him to run4 ,it seemed to ,desmond almost certain that the ball would go to the boundary4 ,too late he realized that it had been magnificently fielded4 ,desmond strained every nerve1 but his bat had not reached the crease when the bails flew to right and left4 ,out6 ,and run out6 ,three wickets for #da6 ,a quarter of an hour later ,fluff was bowled with a yorker4 ,he had made eleven runs1 and kept up his wicket during a crisis4 ,harrow cheered him loudly4 ,and then came the terrible moment of the morning4 ,scaife went in when ,fluff's wicket fell4 ,the ground had improved1 but it was still treacherous4 ,the fast bowler sent down a straight one4 ,it shot under ,scaife's bat and spread-eagled his stumps4 ,the wicket-keeper knows what the ,harrow captain said1 but it does not bear repeating4 ,every eye was on his scowling1 furious face as he returned to the pavilion2 and the ,rev4 ,septimus scowled also1 because he had always maintained that any ,harrovian could accept defeat like a gentleman4 ,upon the other side of the ground the ,caterpillar was saying to his father4 ,i always said he was hairy at the heel4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it was admitted afterwards that the ,duffer's performance was the one really bright spot in ,harrow's second innings4 ,being a bowler1 he went in last but one4 ,it happened that ,fluff's brother was in possession of the ball4 ,it will never be known why the ,duffer chose to treat ,cosmo ,kinloch's balk with utter scorn and contempt4 ,the ,duffer was tall1 strong1 and a terrific slogger4 ,nobody expected him to make a run1 but he made twenty in one over--all boundary hits4 ,when he left the wicket he had added thirty-eight to the score1 and wouldn't have changed places with an emperor4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus followed him into the room where the players change4 ,my dear boy1 he said1 ,i've never been able to give you a gold watch1 but you must take mine2 here it is1 and--and ,god bless you6 ,but the ,duffer swore stoutly that he preferred his own ,waterbury4 99 99 99 99 99 ,eton went in to make #baa runs in four hours1 upon a wicket almost as sound as it had been upon the ,friday4 ,scaife put the ,duffer on to bowl4 ,the ,demon had belief in luck4 ,it's your day1 ,duffer1 he said4 ,pitch 'em up4 ,the ,duffer1 to his sire's exuberant satisfaction1 pitched 'em up so successfully that he took four wickets for #cc4 ,four out of five6 ,the other bowlers1 however1 being not so successful1 ,eton accumulated a hundred runs4 ,the captains had agreed to draw stumps at #g4cj4 ,to win1 therefore1 the ,plain must make another hundred in two hours2 and three of their crack batsmen were out4 ,after tea an amazing change took place in the temper of the spectators4 ,conviction seized them that the finish was likely to be close and thrilling2 that the one thing worth undivided attention was taking place in the middle of the ground4 ,as the minutes passed1 a curious silence fell upon the crowd1 broken only by the cheers of the rival schools4 ,the boys1 old and young alike1 were watching every ball1 every stroke4 ,the ,eton captain was still in1 playing steadily1 not brilliantly2 the ,harrow bowling was getting slack4 ,in the pavilion1 the ,rev4 ,septimus1 ,warde1 and ,charles ,desmond were sitting together4 ,not far from them was ,scaife's father1 a big1 burly man with a square head and heavy1 strongly-marked features4 ,he had never been a cricketer1 but this game gripped him4 ,he sat next to a world-famous financier of the great house of ,neuchatel1 whose sons had been sent to the ,hill4 ,run after run1 run after run was added to the score4 ,scaife's father turned to ,neuchatel4 ,i'd write a cheque for ten thousand pounds1 he said1 if we could win4 ,lionel ,neuchatel nodded4 ,yes1 he muttered2 ,i have not felt so excited since ,sir ,bevis won the ,derby4 ,in the deep field ,desmond was standing1 miserable because he had nothing to do4 ,no balls came his way2 for the ,eton captain had made up his mind to win this match with singles and twos4 ,very carefully he placed his balls between the fielders2 very carefully his partner followed his chief's example4 ,no stealing of runs1 no scoring off straight balls1 no gallery play--till victory was assured4 ,poor ,lord ,fawley retired at this point into an inner room1 pulling savagely at his white beard4 ,old ,lyburn1 who had been sitting beside him1 gurgling and gasping1 staggered after him4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus kept wiping his forehead4 ,i can't stand this much longer1 said ,warde1 in a hoarse whisper4 ,well hit1 sir6 ,well hit6 ,the ,eton cheering became frantic4 ,after nearly an hour's pawky1 uninteresting play1 the ,eton captain suddenly changed his tactics4 ,his eye was in2 now or never let him score4 ,a half-volley came down from the pavilion end--a half-volley and off the wicket4 ,the ,etonian put all the strength and power he had suppressed so manfully into a tremendous swipe1 and hit the ball clean over the ropes4 ,do you want to double that bet8 said ,strathpeffer to the ,caterpillar4 ,they were standing on the top of the ,trent coach4 ,no1 thanks4 ,give you two to one1 ,egerton8 ,done--in fivers4 ,the unhappy bowler sent down another half-volley4 ,once more the ,etonian smote1 and smote hard2 but this ball was not quite the same as the first1 although it appeared identical4 ,the ball soared up and up4 ,would it fall over the ropes8 ,thousands of eyes watched its flight4 ,desmond started to run4 ,golconda to a sixpence on the fall6 ,it is falling1 falling1 falling4 ,he'll never get there in time1 says ,charles ,desmond4 ,yes he will1 ,warde answers savagely4 ,he has6 screamed the ,rev4 ,septimus4 ,he--has6 ,pandemonium broke loose4 ,grey-headed men threw their hats into the air2 ,m4,p4's danced2 lovely women shrieked2 every ,harrovian on the ground howled4 ,for ,caesar held the ball fast in his lean1 brown hands4 ,the ,eton captain walks slowly towards the pavilion4 ,he had to pass ,caesar on his way1 and passing him he pauses4 ,that was a glorious catch1 he says1 with the smile of a gallant gentleman4 ,and as ,harrow1 as cordially as ,eton1 cheers the retiring chieftain1 the ,caterpillar whispers to ,mrs4 ,verney-- ,did you see that8 ,did you see him stop to congratulate ,caesar8 ,yes1 says ,mrs4 ,verney4 ,i hope ,scaife saw it too1 the ,caterpillar replies coolly4 ,that ,eton captain is cut out of whole cloth2 no shoddy there1 by ,jove6 ,and ,desmond4 ,how does ,desmond feel8 ,it is futile to ask him1 because he could not tell you1 if he tried4 ,but we can answer the question4 ,if the country that he wishes to serve crowns him with all the honours bestowed upon a favoured son1 never1 never will ,caesar ,desmond know again a moment of such exquisite1 unadulterated joy as this4 99 99 99 99 99 ,six wickets down and #ci runs to get in less than half an hour6 ,every ball now1 every stroke1 is a matter for cheers1 derisive or otherwise4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus need not prate of golden days gone by4 ,boys at heart never change4 ,and the atmosphere is so charged with electricity that a spark sets the firmament ablaze4 ,seven wickets for #aib4 ,eight wickets for #aig4 ,signs of demoralization show themselves on both sides4 ,the bowling has become deplorably feeble1 the batting even more so4 ,four more singles are recorded4 ,only ten runs remain to be made1 with two wickets to fall4 ,and twelve minutes to play6 ,scaife puts on the ,duffer again4 ,the lips of the ,rev4 ,sep are seen to move inaudibly4 ,is he praying1 or cursing1 because three singles are scored off his son's first three balls8 ,well bowled--well bowled6 ,a ball of fair length1 easy enough to play under all ordinary circumstances1 but a teaser when tremendous issues are at stake1 has defeated one of the ,etonians4 ,the last man runs towards the pitch through a perfect hurricane of howls4 ,warde rises4 ,i can't stand it1 he says1 and his voice shakes oddly4 ,you fellows will find me behind the ,pavvy after the match4 ,i'd go with you1 says the ,rev4 ,septimus1 in a choked tone1 but if ,i tried to walk ,i should tumble down4 ,charles ,desmond says nothing4 ,but1 pray note the expression so faithfully recorded in ,punch--the compressed lips1 the stern1 frowning brows1 the protruded jaw4 ,the famous debater sees all fights to a finish1 and fights himself till he drops4 ,seven runs to make1 one wicket to fall1 and five minutes to play666 ,evidently the last man in has received strenuous instructions from his chief4 ,the bowling has degenerated into that of anaemic girls--and two whacks to the boundary mean--,victory4 ,the new-comer is the square1 thick-set fast bowler1 the worst bat in the ,eleven1 but a fellow of determination1 a slogger and a run-getter against village teams4 ,he obeys instructions to the letter4 ,the ,duffer's fifth ball goes to the boundary4 ,three runs to make and two and a half minutes to play6 ,the ,duffer sends down the last ball4 ,the ,rev4 ,septimus covers his eyes4 ,o wretched ,duffer6 ,o thou whose knees are as wax1 and whose arms are as chop-sticks in the hands of a ,griffin6 ,o egregious ,duff6 ,o degenerate son of a noble sire1 dost thou dare at such a moment as this to attack thine enemy with a--long hop8 ,the square1 thick-set bowler shows his teeth as the ball pitches short4 ,then he smites and runs4 ,runs1 because he has smitten so hard that no hand1 surely1 can stop the whirling sphere4 ,runs--ay--and so does the ,demon at cover point4 ,this is the ,demon's amazing conjuring-trick--what else can you call it8 ,and he has practised it so often1 that he reckons failure to be almost impossible4 ,to those watching he seems to spring like a tiger at the ball4 ,by ,heaven6 he has stopped it--he's snapped it up6 ,but if he despatches it to the wicket-keeper1 it will arrive too late4 ,the other ,etonian is already within a couple of yards of the crease4 ,scaife does not hesitate4 ,he aims at the bowler's wicket towards which the burly one is running as fast as legs a thought too short can carry him4 ,he aims and shies--instantaneously4 ,he shatters the wicket4 ,how's that8 ,the appeal comes from every part of the ground4 ,and then1 clearly and unmistakably1 the umpire's fiat is spoken-- ,out6 ,the ,rev4 ,sep rises and rushes off1 upsetting chairs1 treading on toes1 bent only upon being the first to tell ,warde that ,harrow has won4 ,io6 ,io6 ,io6 ,,footnotes3 #cf ,the blue of the ,harrow colours4 #cg ,lamper1 i4e4 ,lamp-post4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,if ,i perish1 ,i perish ,since we deserved the name of friends1 ,and thine effect so lives in me1 ,a part of mine may live in thee ,and move thee on to noble ends4 ,the cheering at ,bill upon the following ,tuesday must be recorded1 inasmuch as it has1 indirectly1 bearing upon our story4 ,it will be guessed that the enthusiasm1 the uproar1 the tumultuous excitement were even greater than on a similar occasion some fifteen years before4 ,but1 to his amazement1 ,desmond1 not ,scaife1 was made the particular hero of the hour4 ,scaife's display of temper festered in the hearts of boys who can forgive anything sooner than low breeding4 ,the ,hill had seen the ,etonian stop to speak his cheery word of congratulation to ,caesar1 and not the ,caterpillar alone1 but urchins of thirteen had made comparisons4 ,scaife1 however1 could not complain of his reception upon that memorable ,tuesday afternoon2 the cheering must have been heard a mile away4 ,but ,desmond was acclaimed differently4 ,the cheers were no louder--that was impossible--but afterwards1 when the excitement had simmered down1 ,caesar became the object of a special demonstration by the ,monitors and ,sixth ,form4 ,nearly every boy of note in the ,upper ,school insisted upon shaking his hand or patting him on the back4 ,scaife came up with the others1 but he left the ,yard almost immediately and retired to his room4 ,he had won the great match2 ,desmond had saved it2 and the ,school apprehended the subtle difference4 ,more1 ,scaife knew that ,john had gone up to ,desmond with outstretched hands after the match at ,lord's4 ,he could hear ,john's eager voice1 see the flame of admiration in his eyes1 as he said1 ,oh1 ,caesar1 ,i am glad it was you who made that catch6 ,and with those generous words1 with that warm clasp of the hand1 ,scaife had seen the barrier which he had built between the friends dissolve like ice in the dog-days4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the attention of the ,manor was now fixed upon the house matches4 ,it seemed probable that with four members of the ,school ,eleven in the team1 the ancient house must prove invincible4 ,but to ,john's surprise1 as this delightful probability ripened into conviction1 ,warde betrayed unwonted anxiety and even irritability4 ,miss ,iris confided to ,desmond1 who paid her much court1 that she couldn't imagine what was the matter with papa4 ,and mamma1 it transpired 7from the same source71 really feared that the strain at ,lord's had been too much1 that her indefatigable husband was about to break down4 ,finally1 ,john made up his mind to ask a question4 ,he was second in command2 he had a right to ask the chief if anything were seriously amiss4 ,accordingly1 he waited upon ,warde after prayers4 ,but when he put his question1 and expressed1 modestly enough1 his anxiety and desire to help if he could1 ,warde bit his lips4 ,then he burst out violently-- ,i am miserable1 ,verney4 ,john said nothing4 ,his tutor rose and began to pace up and down the study2 then1 halting1 facing ,john1 he spoke quickly1 with restless gestures indicating volcanic disturbance4 ,i'm between the devil and the deep sea1 he said1 as many a better man has been before me4 ,i thought ,i'd wiped out the grosser evils in the ,manor1 but ,i haven't--,i haven't4 ,do you know that a fellow in this house1 perhaps two of 'em1 but one at any rate1 is getting out at night and going up to town8 ,you needn't answer1 ,verney4 ,if you do know it1 you are powerless to prevent it1 or it wouldn't occur4 ,thank you1 sir4 ,i can only guess who it is4 ,i am not certain4 ,and to make certain1 ,i must play the spy1 creep and crawl1 do what ,i loathe to do--suspect the innocent together with the guilty4 ,it's almost breaking my heart4 ,i can understand that1 sir1 after what you have done for us4 ,warde smiled grimly4 ,i don't think you do quite understand1 he said slowly4 ,at this moment ,i am tempted1 tempted as ,i never have been tempted1 to let things slide1 to shut both eyes and ears1 till this term is over4 ,next term--he laughed harshly--,i shan't stand in such an awkward place4 ,the deep sea will always be near me1 but the devil--the devil will be elsewhere4 ,john nodded4 ,his serious face expressed neither approval nor disapproval to the man keenly watching it4 ,afterwards ,warde remembered this impassivity4 ,if ,i do not act--,warde's voice trembled--,i am damned as a traitor in my own eyes4 ,john had never doubted that his house-master would act4 ,as for creeping and crawling1 can peaks be scaled without creeping and crawling8 ,never---- ,you are not to speak a word of warning1 ,warde continued vehemently4 ,if you know what ,i don't know yet1 still you cannot speak to me1 because the sinner in this case is a ,sixth-,form boy4 ,you cannot speak to me2 and you will not speak to him1 on your honour8 ,there was interrogation in the last sentence4 ,john replied almost inaudibly-- ,i shall not speak--on my honour6 ,it is hard1 hard indeed1 that ,i should have to foul my own nest1 but it must be so4 ,good night4 ,john went back to his room1 calm without1 terribly agitated within4 ,what ruthless spirit had driven him to ,warde's study8 ,yes2 at last1 inexorably1 discovery1 disgrace1 the ineffaceable brand of expulsion1 impended over the head of his enemy1 to whom he was pledged to utter no word of warning4 ,like ,warde1 he did not know absolutely1 but he guessed that ,scaife had spent another riotous night in town since the match4 ,he had read it in the eyes glittering with excitement1 in the derisive smile of conscious power1 in the magnetic audacity of ,scaife's glance4 ,and then he remembered ,lawrence's parting words-- ,it will be a fight to a finish1 and1 mark me1 ,warde will win6 ,two wretched days and nights passed4 ,more than once ,john spurred himself to the point of going to ,warde and saying1 ,think what you like of me1 ,i am going to warn the boy ,i loathe that you are at his heels4 ,still1 always at the last moment he did not go4 ,some power seemed to restrain him4 ,but when he tried to analyse his feelings1 he confessed himself muddled4 ,he had obtained1 nay1 invited1 ,warde's confidence2 and he dared not abuse it4 ,it was a time of anguish4 ,he was unable to concentrate his mind upon work or play1 deprived of sleep1 haunted by the conviction that if ,desmond knew all1 he would turn from him for ever4 ,then1 at the most difficult moment of his life1 the way of escape was opened4 ,since the match1 ,john and ,caesar had resumed the former unrestrained and continual intimacy and intercourse4 ,john was in and out of ,desmond's room1 ,desmond was in and out of ,john's room1 at all hours4 ,they found together1 of course1 but it is not1 fortunately1 at meals that boys or men discuss the things nearest to their hearts4 ,but at night1 just before lights were turned out1 or just after1 when an ,olympian is privileged to work a little longer by the light of the useful tolly1 ,caesar and ,jonathan would talk freely of past1 present1 and future4 ,it was during these much-valued minutes1 or on ,sunday afternoons1 that ,john would read to his friend the essays or verses which always fired ,desmond's admiration and enthusiasm4 ,to ,john's intellectual activities ,caesar played1 so to speak1 gallery2 even as ,john upon many an afternoon had sat stewing in the covered racquet-court1 applauding ,desmond's service into the corner1 or his hot returns just above the line4 ,at home1 in the holidays1 the boys had always met upon the same plane4 ,of the two1 ,john was the better rider and shot4 ,both were members of the ,philathletic ,club#ch of ,harrow1 and the fact that ,desmond was incomparably his superior as an athlete was counterbalanced by ,john's fine intellectual attainments4 ,if ,john1 at times1 wished that he could cut behind the wicket in ,caesar's faultless style1 ,desmond1 on the other hand1 spoke enviously of the ,medal1 or the ,essay1 or some other of ,john's successes4 ,john spoke often and well in the ,debating ,society1 getting up his subjects with intelligence and care4 ,so it was give-and-take between them1 and this adjusted the balance of their friendship1 and without this no friendship can be pronounced perfect4 ,none the less1 free and delightful as this resumption of the old intimacy had been1 ,john knew ,caesar too well not to perceive that between them lay an unmentionable five weeks1 during which something had occurred4 ,from signs only too well interpreted before1 ,john guessed that ,caesar was once more in debt to the ,demon4 ,and finally1 ,caesar confessed that he had been betting1 that he had won1 following ,scaife's advice1 and then had lost4 ,the loss was greater than the gain1 and the difference1 some five and twenty pounds1 had been sent to ,scaife's bookmaker by ,scaife4 ,as before1 ,scaife ridiculed the possibility of such a debt causing his pal any uneasiness1 but it chafed ,desmond consumedly4 ,upon the ,saturday of the semi-final house match1 in which the ,manor had won a great victory by an innings and twenty-three runs1 ,john went to ,desmond's room after prayers4 ,he noticed at once that his friend was unusually excited4 ,john1 however1 attributed this to ,caesar's big score4 ,success always inflamed ,caesar1 just as it seemed to tranquillize ,john4 ,john began to talk1 but he noticed that ,caesar was abstracted1 answered in monosyllables1 and twice looked at his watch4 ,have you an appointment1 ,caesar8 ,no4 ,what were you saying1 ,jonathan8 ,you look rather queer to-night4 ,do ,i8 ,he laughed nervously4 ,you're not bothering over that debt8 ,this time ,caesar laughed naturally4 ,rather not4 ,why1 that debt---- ,he stopped4 ,is it paid8 said ,john4 ,it will be4 ,don't worry6 ,but ,john looked worried4 ,he perceived that ,caesar's finely-formed hands were trembling1 whenever they were still4 ,harry1 said he--he never called ,desmond ,harry except when they were at home--,harry1 what's wrong8 ,why1 nothing--nothing1 that is1 which amounts to anything4 ,harry1 you are the worst liar in ,england4 ,something is wrong4 ,can't you tell me8 ,you must4 ,i'm hanged if ,i leave you till you do tell me4 ,he looked steadily at ,desmond4 ,in his clear grey eyes were tiny1 dancing flecks of golden brown1 which ,desmond had seen once or twice before1--which came whenever ,john was profoundly moved4 ,the dancing flecks transformed themselves in ,desmond's fancy into sprites1 the airy creatures of ,john's will1 imposing ,john's wishes and commands4 ,scaife said ,i might tell you1 if ,i liked4 ,scaife8 ,john drew in his breath4 ,then ,scaife wanted you to tell me2 ,i am sure of that4 ,he felt his way by the dim light of smouldering suspicion4 ,if ,scaife wanted ,john to know anything1 it was because such knowledge must prove pain1 not pleasure4 ,john did not say this4 ,then1 very abruptly1 ,desmond continued4 ,you swear that what ,i'm about to tell you will be regarded as sacred8 ,yes4 ,it is a matter which concerns ,scaife and me1 not you4 ,you won't interfere8 ,no4 ,i'm going to ,london4 ,what8 ,don't look at me like that1 you silly old ass6 ,it's not--not what you think1 he laughed nervously4 ,i have bet ,scaife twenty-five pounds1 the amount of my debt in fact1 that the bill-of-fare of to-night's supper at the ,carlton ,hotel will be handed to him after ,chapel to-morrow morning4 ,i bike up to town1 and bike back4 ,if ,i don't go this ,saturday1 ,i have one more chance before the term is over4 ,that's all4 ,that's all1 repeated ,john1 stupefied4 ,if you can show me an easier way to make a 'pony1' ,i'll be obliged to you4 ,scaife egged you on to this piece of folly8 ,no1 he didn't4 ,you may as well make a clean breast of it4 ,bit by bit ,john extracted the facts4 ,behind them1 of course1 stood ,scaife1 loving evil for evil's sake1 planting evil1 gleaning evil1 deliberately setting about the devil's work4 ,desmond1 it appeared1 had persuaded ,scaife not to go to town till the ,lord's match was over4 ,since the match ,scaife had spent two nights in ,london1 whetting an inordinate appetite for forbidden fruit2 exciting in ,desmond also1 not an appetite for the fruit itself1 but for the mad excitement of a perilous adventure4 ,then1 when the thoughtless ,i'd like a lark of that sort had been spoken1 came the derisive answer1 ,you haven't the nerve for it4 ,and then again the subtle leading of an ardent and self-willed nature into the morass1 ,scaife pretending to dissuade a friend1 entreating him to consider the risk1 urging him to go to bed1 as if he were a headstrong child4 ,and finally ,desmond's challenge1 ,bet you ,i have the nerve1 and its acceptance1 protestingly1 by the other1 and permission given that ,john should be told4 ,and it's to-night8 ,i mean to have that bill-of-fare4 ,do you think ,i'd back out now8 ,in his mind's eye1 our poor ,john was gazing down a long lane with no turning at the end of it4 ,could he make his friend believe that ,scaife had brought this thing to pass from no other motive than wishing to hurt mortally an enemy by the hand of a friend8 ,no1 never would such an ingenuous youth as ,caesar accept1 or even listen to1 such an abominable explanation4 ,good night1 said ,john4 ,i see you're rather sick with me1 ,jonathan4 ,remember1 you made me speak4 ,to-morrow morning we'll have a good laugh over it4 ,we'll walk to the ,haunted ,house1 and ,i'll tell my tale4 ,i shall be on my way in less than an hour4 ,john went back to his room4 ,the necessity for silence and thought had become imperative4 ,what could he do8 ,it was certain that ,warde was waiting and watching4 ,he had inexhaustible patience4 ,desmond1 not the ,demon1 would be caught and expelled4 ,john returned to ,desmond's room4 ,you've told me so much1 he said2 tell me a little more4 ,how are you going to do it8 ,to do what8 ,get out of the house8 ,get a bike--and all that8 ,easy4 ,lovell went out that way1 and others4 ,you jump from the sill of the first landing window into the horse-chestnut4 ,one must be able to jump1 of course2 but ,i can jump4 ,then you shin down the tree1 nip through the shrubbery1 and over the locked wicket-gate4 ,yes1 ,john said slowly1 over the gate4 ,i borrowed a bike from one of the ,cycle ,corps1 and have ridden it in the garden1 in a bush to the right of the gate4 ,john nodded4 ,it's moonlight after ten2 ,i shall enjoy the ride immensely4 ,you will try to get back into the house at night8 ,too dangerous4 ,lovell did it2 but the ,demon marches in boldly just before ,chapel4 ,he may have slipped out on half a dozen errands as soon as the door is opened in the morning4 ,i shall sleep under a stack4 ,it's a lovely night4 ,now1 old ,jonathan1 ,i hope you're satisfied that ,i'm not either the fool or the sinner you took me to be4 ,look here1 ,harry4 ,if ,i appeal to you in the name of our friendship2 if ,i ask you for my sake and for my mother's sake not to do this thing---- ,jonathan1 ,i must go4 ,don't make it harder than it is4 ,then it is hard8 ,i won't whine about that4 ,i courted this adventure1 and1 by ,jove6 ,i'm going to see it through4 ,the odds are a hundred to one against my being nailed4 ,all right2 ,i'll say no more4 ,good night4 ,good night1 old ,jonathan4 ,john went back to his room1 waited three minutes1 and then1 in despair1 made up his mind to seek ,scaife4 ,he felt certain that the ,demon's extraordinary luck was about to stand between him and expulsion4 ,desmond would be caught red-handed1 but not he4 ,john ground his teeth with rage at the thought4 ,he found ,scaife alone--at work on cricketing accounts4 ,hullo1 ,verney6 ,caesar tells me that he is going up to ,london to-night4 ,oh1 he told you that1 did he8 ,yes2 you wished him to tell me8 ,perhaps4 ,scaife laughed louder4 ,you want to prove to me1 said ,john slowly1 that you are the stronger8 ,perhaps4 ,scaife laughed4 ,well1 if ,i surrender1 if ,i admit that you are the stronger1 that you have defeated me1 won't that be enough8 ,eh8 ,i don't quite take you4 ,you are the stronger4 ,john's voice was very miserable4 ,i have tried to dissuade him1 as you knew ,i should try1 and ,i have failed4 ,isn't that enough8 ,you have your triumph4 ,but now be generous4 ,turn round and use your strength the other way4 ,make him give up this folly4 ,you don't want to see your own pal--sacked8 ,precious little chance of that6 ,there is the chance4 ,scaife hesitated4 ,did some worthier impulse stir within him8 ,who can tell8 ,his keen eye softened1 and then hardened again4 ,no1 he said quickly4 ,if ,i agree to what you propose1 it is1 after all1 you who triumph1 not ,i4 ,and ,i doubt if ,i could stop him now1 even if ,i tried4 ,he laughed again1 for the third time1 savagely4 ,you are hoist with your own petard1 ,verney4 ,you wanted to see me sacked2 and now that there is a chance in a thousand that ,caesar will be sacked1 you squirm4 ,i swore to get my knife into you1 and1 by ,god1 ,i've done it4 ,john went out1 very pale4 ,he passed through into the private side1 and tapped at ,warde's study door4 ,mrs4 ,warde's voice bade him enter4 ,she looked at ,john's face4 ,afterwards she testified that he looked singularly cool and self-possessed4 ,i wish to see ,mr4 ,warde1 he said4 ,he's dining at the ,head ,master's4 ,will he be in soon8 ,i--er--don't know4 ,perhaps not4 ,i wouldn't wait for him1 ,verney1 if ,i were you4 ,thank you1 said ,john4 ,good night4 ,he went back to his room4 ,in ,mrs4 ,warde's eyes he had read--what8 ,excitement8 ,apprehension8 ,suddenly1 conviction came to him that this dinner at the ,head ,master's was a blind4 ,why1 during that very afternoon1 ,warde had mentioned casually to ,scaife that he was dining out4 ,he had deliberately informed the ,demon that the coast was clear4 ,and at this moment1 probably1 ,warde lay concealed near the chestnut tree1 waiting1 watching1 about to pounce upon the--wrong man6 ,the temptation to cry ,cave6 tore at his vitals4 ,till this moment the tyranny of honour had never oppressed ,john4 ,having resolved to tell ,warde that he meant to break his word1 it may seem inexplicable that he shouldn't go a step further and break his word without warning the house-master4 ,upon such nice points of conscience hang issues of world-wide importance4 ,to ,john1 at any rate1 the difference between the two paths out of a tangled wood was greater than it might appear to some of us4 ,warde had trusted him implicitly3 could he bring himself to violate ,warde's confidence without giving the man notice8 ,however1 what he might have done under pressure must remain a matter of surmise4 ,at this moment a third path became visible4 ,and down it ,john rushed1 without consideration as to where it might lead4 ,the one thing plain at this crisis was the certainty that he had discovered a plan of action which would save two things he valued supremely--his friendship for ,caesar and his word of honour4 ,here we are to liberty to speculate what ,john would have done had he considered dispassionately the consequences of an action to be accomplished at once or not at all4 ,but he had not time to consider anything except the fact that action would put to rout some very tormenting thoughts4 ,he crumpled his bed1 disarranged his room1 and put on a cap and a thin overcoat1 as all lights in the boys' side of the ,manor were extinguished4 ,then he stole out of his room1 and crept to the window at the end of the passage4 ,a moment later1 he had squeezed through it1 and was standing upon the sill outside1 gazing fearfully at the void beneath1 and the distance between the sill and the branch in front of him4 ,afterwards1 he confessed that this moment was the most difficult4 ,he was an active boy1 but he had never jumped such a chasm4 ,if he missed the bough---- ,to hesitate meant shameful retreat4 ,john felt the sweat break upon him2 craven fear clutched his heart-strings1 and set them a-jangling4 ,he jumped4 ,the ease with which he caught the branch was such a physical relief that he almost forgot his errand4 ,he slid quietly down the tree1 pausing as he reached the bottom of it4 ,the moon was just rising above the horizon1 but under the trees the darkness was ,stygian4 ,john pushed quietly through the shrubberies1 treading as lightly as possible4 ,every moment he expected to see the flash of a lantern1 to hear ,warde's voice1 to feel an arresting hand upon the shoulder4 ,it was quite impossible to guess with any reasonable accuracy what part of the garden ,warde had selected for a hiding-place4 ,very soon he reached the edge of the shrubbery1 and gazed keenly into the moonlit1 park-like meadow below him4 ,peer as he might1 he could see no trace of ,warde4 ,a dozen trees might conceal him4 ,perhaps with the omniscience of the house-master1 he had divined that the wicket-gate was the ultimate place of egress4 ,perhaps the wicket had been used for a similar purpose when ,warde himself was a boy at the ,manor4 ,it was vital to ,john's plan that ,warde should see him without recognizing him1 and give chase4 ,the chase would end in capture at some point as reasonably far from the ,manor as possible4 ,warde might ask for explanations1 but none would be forthcoming till the morrow4 ,meantime1 the coast would be clear for ,desmond4 ,john1 in fine1 was playing the part of a pilot-engine4 ,but where was ,warde8 ,the question answered itself within a minute1 and after a fashion absolutely unforeseen4 ,as ,john was crossing from the shrubbery to the wicket he looked back4 ,to his horror1 he saw lights in the boys' side1 light in the window of ,scaife's room4 ,instantly ,john divined what had come to pass1 and cursed himself for a fool4 ,warde1 from some coign of vantage1 had seen a boy leave his house4 ,why should he try to arrest the boy8 why should he risk the humiliation of running after him1 and1 perhaps1 failing to capture him8 ,no1 no2 men forty were not likely to work in that boyish fashion4 ,warde had adopted an infinitely better plan4 ,assured that a boy had left the house1 he had nothing to do but walk round the rooms and find out which one was absent4 ,he had begun with ,scaife4 ,next to ,scaife was the room belonging to the ,head of the ,house2 then came ,john's room1 and then ,caesar's4 ,long before ,warde reached ,caesar's room1 ,caesar would have heard him4 ,caesar1 at any rate1 was saved4 ,john crept back under cover of the shrubberies4 ,he saw the light flicker out of ,scaife's window1 and shine more steadily in the next room4 ,the window of this room was open1 and ,john could hear the voice of ,warde and the ,head of the ,house4 ,john waited4 ,and then the light shone in ,desmond's room4 ,john crouched against the wall1 trembling4 ,if ,caesar had not heard the voices1 if he were fully dressed1 if---- ,suddenly he caught ,warde's reassuring words3 ,ah1 ,desmond1 sorry to disturb you4 ,good night4 ,john waited4 ,very soon ,scaife would come to ,desmond's room4 ,ah6 ,just so4 ,the night was so still that he could hear quite plainly the boys' muffled voices4 ,what's up8 ,warde is going his rounds4 ,perhaps he smells a rat4 ,and then whispers6 ,john strained his ears4 ,only a word or two more reached him4 ,verney---- ,d----d interfering sneak6 ,let's see6 ,it was ,scaife who was speaking4 ,john heard his own door opened and shut4 ,scaife1 then1 had discovered his absence1 and naturally leaped to the conclusion that he had warned ,warde4 ,let him think so6 ,the boys were still whispering together4 ,not to-night1 ,scaife said decisively4 ,no1 no1 ,desmond replied4 ,john wondered what remained to be done4 ,warde1 of course1 would satisfy himself that no boy in his house was missing except ,john1 before he pronounced him the absentee4 ,poor ,warde6 ,this would be a hard knock for him4 ,john's thoughts were jostling each other freely1 when he recalled ,desmond's words3 ,i have one more chance before the term is over4 ,he had wished to clear the way for his friend1 not to block it4 ,then he remembered the terms of the bet1 and laughed4 ,he ran back to the wicket1 found the bicycle1 lit the lamp1 and hoisted the machine over the gate4 ,then he laughed again4 ,after all1 this escaping from bondage1 this midnight adventure beneath the impending sword of expulsion1 thrilled him to the marrow4 99 99 99 99 99 ,when ,john returned on ,sunday to the ,manor1 shortly after the doors were unlocked in the morning1 he found ,dumbleton awaiting him4 ,dumber's face expressed such amazement and consternation that ,john nearly laughed in spite of himself4 ,it's all hup1 sir1 said the butler4 ,only in moments of intense excitement did ,dumber misplace or leave out the aspirate4 ,you're to come with me at once to ,mr4 ,warde's study4 ,john followed the butler into the familiar room4 ,warde was not down yet1 but evidently ,dumber had instructions not to leave the prisoner4 ,john stared at the writing-desk4 ,then he turned to ,dumbleton1 and said carelessly-- ,this means the sack1 eh1 ,dumber8 ,yes1 sir4 ',ow could you do it1 sir8 ,such a well-be'aved gentleman1 too6 ,thank you1 ,dumber4 ,john took an envelope from the desk1 and wrote ,scaife's name upon it4 ,dumber1 please give ,mr4 ,scaife this--with my compliments4 ,it is1 as you see1 a bill of fare4 ,very good1 sir4 ,john placed the card into the envelope and handed both to ,dumbleton4 ,with my compliments6 ,certainly1 sir4 ,and after ,chapel4 ,yes1 sir4 ,a moment later ,warde came in4 ,dumbleton went out immediately with a sorrowful1 backward glance at ,john4 ,the good fellow looked terribly bewildered4 ,for ,john's face1 ,john's deportment1 had amazed him4 ,john was quite unaware of it1 but he looked astonishingly well4 ,excitement had flushed his cheek and lent a sparkle to his grey eyes4 ,he had enjoyed his ride to town and back2 he had slept soundly under the lee of a haystack2 and he had washed his face and hands in the horse-trough at the foot of ,sudbury ,hill4 ,and the certainty that ,desmond was safe1 that in the end he1 ,john1 had triumphed over ,scaife1 filled his soul with joy4 ,warde1 on the other hand1 looked wretched2 he had passed a sleepless night2 he was pale1 haggard1 gaunt4 ,what have you to say1 ,verney8 ,nothing1 sir4 ,nothing4 ,warde clenched his hands1 and burst into speech1 letting all that he had suffered and suppressed escape in tumultuous words and gestures4 ,nothing4 ,you dare to stand there and say--nothing4 ,that you should have done this thing6 ,why1 it's incredible6 ,and ,i who trusted you4 ,and you listened to me with a face like brass1 laughing in your sleeve1 no doubt1 at the fool who betrayed himself4 ,and you came here1 so my wife tells me1 to see if ,i was out of the way1 if the coast was clear4 ,and you were cool as a cucumber4 ,oh1 you hypocrite1 you damnable hypocrite6 ,i have to see you now1 but never again will ,i look willingly upon your face1 never6 ,well1 this wretched business must be ended4 ,you got out of my house last night4 ,you heard ,i was dining with the ,head ,master4 ,i returned early1 and ,i saw you jump from the passage window4 ,you don't deny that you went up to ,london1 ,i suppose8 ,no1 sir2 ,i don't deny it4 ,at the moment ,john1 quite unconsciously1 looked as if he were glorying in what he had done4 ,warde could have struck his clean1 clear face1 unblushingly meeting his furious glance4 ,in disgust1 he turned his back and walked to the window4 ,john felt rather than saw that his tutor was profoundly moved4 ,when he turned1 two tears were trickling down his cheeks4 ,the sight of them nearly undid ,john4 ,when ,warde spoke again1 his voice was choked by his emotion4 ,verney1 he said1 ,i spoke just now in an unrestrained manner1 because you--you--his voice trembled--have shaken my faith in all ,i hold most dear4 ,i say to you--,i say to you that ,i believed in you as ,i believe in my wife4 ,even now ,i feel that somehow there is a mistake--that you are not what you confess yourself to be--a brazen-faced humbug4 ,you have worked as ,i have worked for this ,house1 and in one moment you undo that work4 ,have you paused to think1 what effect this will have upon the others8 ,not yet1 sir4 ,john looked respectfully sympathetic4 ,poor ,warde6 ,this was rough indeed upon him4 ,suddenly the door was flung open1 and ,desmond burst into the room1 with a complete disregard of the customary proprieties1 and rushed up to ,warde4 ,sir1 he said vehemently1 ,verney did this to save--me6 ,warde saw the slow smile break upon ,john's face4 ,and1 seeing it1 he came as near hysterical laughter as a man of his character and temperament can come4 ,he perceived that ,john1 for some amazing reason1 had played the scape-goat2 that1 in fact1 he was innocent--not a humbug1 not a hypocrite1 not a brazen-faced sinner4 ,and the relief was so stupendous that the tutor flung himself back into a chair1 gasping4 ,desmond spoke quietly4 ,i was going to town1 sir4 ,for the first time1 ,i swear4 ,and only to win a bet1 and for the excitement of jumping out of a window4 ,john tried to dissuade me4 ,when he exhausted every argument1 he went himself4 ,the ,lord be praised6 said ,warde4 ,he had divined everything2 but he let ,desmond tell the story in detail4 ,scaife's name was left out of the narrative4 ,then ,warde said slowly1 ,i shall not refer this business to the ,head ,master2 ,i shall deal with it myself4 ,for your own sake1 ,desmond1 for the sake of your father1 and1 above all else1 for the sake of this ,house1 ,i shall do no more than ask you to promise that1 for the rest of your time at ,harrow1 you will endeavour to atone for what has been4 99 99 99 99 99 ,all boys worth their salt are creatures of reserves2 let us respect them4 ,it is easy to surmise what passed between the friends--the gratitude1 the self-reproach1 the humiliation on one side2 the sympathy1 the encouragement and shy1 restrained affection on the other4 ,a bitter-sweet moment for ,john this1 revealing1 without disguise1 the weakness of ,desmond's character1 but illuminating the triumph over ,scaife1 the all-powerful4 ,john had been inhuman if this knowledge had not been as spikenard to him4 ,chapel over1 the boys came pouring back into the house4 ,in a minute the fags would be hurrying up with the tea and the jam-pots1 asking for orders2 in a minute ,scaife would rush in with questions hot upon his lips4 ,john chuckled to himself as he heard ,scaife's step4 ,hullo1 ,caesar6 ,why did you cut ,chapel8 ,and---- ,john saw that the ,carlton supper-card was in his hand4 ,he chuckled again4 ,dumber has just given me--this4 ,did you go1 after all8 he asked ,caesar4 ,they had not met since ,warde's visit of the night before4 ,i didn't go1 said ,caesar4 ,dumber gave it to me1 with ,verney's compliments4 ,you've lost your bet1 said ,john4 ,but how8 ,jonathan went to town instead of me1 said ,desmond4 ,we thought he was with ,warde--he wasn't4 ,this morning1 early1 ,i found out that he hadn't slept in his bed4 ,i saw him come back1 and ,i saw ,dumber waiting for him4 ,when ,dumber came out of ,warde's room1 he told me that ,jonathan had been up to town1 and was going to be--sacked4 ,he blurted out the rest of the story1 to which ,scaife listened attentively4 ,when ,desmond finished1 there was a pause4 ,you're devilish clever1 said ,scaife to ,john4 ,i shall pay up the pony1 said ,desmond4 ,no1 you won't1 said ,scaife4 ,as for the money1 ,i never cared a hang about that4 ,i'm glad--and you ought to know it--that you've won the bet4 ,all the same1 ,verney isn't entitled to all the glory that you give him4 ,he is1 he is--and more1 too4 ,scaife laughed4 ,john felt rather uncomfortable4 ,always ,scaife exhibited his amazing resource at unexpected moments4 ,never mind1 ,scaife continued1 ,i won't burst the pretty bubble4 ,and ,i admit1 remember1 ,verney's cleverness4 ,he was turning to go1 but ,desmond clutched his sleeve4 ,when he spoke his fair face was scarlet4 ,you sneer at the wrong man and at the wrong time1 he said angrily1 and you talk as though ,i was a fool4 ,well1 ,i am a fool1 perhaps1 and ,i blow bubbles4 ,prick this one1 if you can4 ,i challenge you to do it4 ,scaife shrugged his shoulders4 ,it's so obvious1 he said coolly1 that your kind friend ran no risks other than a sprained ankle or a cold4 ,what do you mean8 ,he was certain that you would come forward4 ,he forced your hand4 ,there was never the smallest chance of his being sacked1 and he knew it4 ,yes1 said ,john1 calmly1 ,i knew it4 ,just so1 said ,scaife4 ,he went out whistling4 ,desmond had time to whisper to ,john before the fags called them to breakfast in ,john's room-- ,i say1 ,jonathan1 ,i'm glad you knew that ,i wouldn't fail you4 ,as the ,demon says1 you are clever2 you are a sight cleverer than he is4 ,john shook his head4 ,i'm slow1 he said4 ,as a matter of fact1 the thought that you would come to the rescue never occurred to me till ,i was biking back from town4 ,anyway1 you saved me from being sacked1 and as long as ,i live ,i---- ,come on to breakfast1 said ,john4 ,,footnotes3 #ch ,the ,philathletic ,club deals primarily with all matters which concern ,harrow games2 it is also a social club4 ,distinguished athletes1 monitors1 and so forth1 are eligible for membership4 ,the ,head of the ,school is ex-,officio ,president4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,good ,night ,good night6 ,sleep1 and so may ever ,lights half seen across a murky lea1 ,child of hope1 and courage1 and endeavour1 ,gleam a voiceless benison on thee6 ,youth be bearer ,soon of hardihood2 ,life be fairer1 ,loyaller to good2 ,till the far lamps vanish into light1 ,rest in the dreamtime4 ,good night6 ,good night6 ,the last ,saturday of the summer term saw the ,manor cock-house at cricket3 almost a foregone conclusion1 and therefore not particularly interesting to outsiders4 ,during the morning ,scaife gave his farewell brekker#ci at the ,creameries2 a banquet of the ,olympians to which ,john received an invitation4 ,he accepted because ,desmond made a point of his so doing2 but he was quite aware that beneath the veneer of the ,demon's genial smile lay implacable hatred and resentment4 ,the breakfast in itself struck ,john as ostentatious4 ,scaife's father sent quails1 a la ,lucullus1 and other delicacies4 ,throughout the meal the talk was of the coming war4 ,at that time most of the ,conservative papers pooh-poohed the possibility of an appeal to arms1 but ,scaife's father1 admittedly a great authority on ,south ,african affairs1 had told his son a fight was inevitable4 ,more1 he and his friends were already preparing to raise a regiment of mounted infantry4 ,at breakfast ,scaife announced this piece of news1 and added that in the event of hostilities he would join this regiment1 and not try to pass into ,sandhurst4 ,and he added that any of his friends who were present1 and over eighteen years of age1 were cordially invited to send in their names1 and that he personally would do all that was possible to secure them billets4 ,the words were hardly out of his mouth1 when ,caesar ,desmond was on his feet1 with an eager-- ,put me down1 ,demon2 put me down first6 ,and then ,scaife glanced at ,john1 as he answered-- ,right you are1 ,caesar1 and if things go well with us1 ,i fancy that we shall get our commissions in regular regiments soon enough4 ,the governor had had a hint to that effect4 ,let's drink success to ',scaife's ,horse4' ,the toast was drunk with enthusiasm4 ,during the holidays1 ,john saw nothing of ,desmond1 although they wrote to each other once a week4 ,john was reading hard with an eye to a possible scholarship at ,oxford2 ,desmond was playing cricket with ,scaife4 ,later1 ,desmond went to the ,scaife moor in ,scotland4 ,john noted that his friend's letters were full of two things only3 sport1 and the ever-increasing probability of war4 ,at the end of ,august ,john ,verney1 the explorer1 returning to ,verney ,boscobel after an absence of nearly four years1 began to write his now famous book on the ,far ,east4 ,then ,john learned from his mother that his uncle had borne all the charges of his education4 ,when he thanked him1 the uncle said warmly-- ,you have more than repaid me1 my dear boy2 not another word1 please1 about that4 ,warde tells me they expect great things of you at ,oxford4 ,uncle and nephew were alone1 after dinner4 ,john had noticed that the hardships endured in ,manchuria and ,thibet had left scars upon the traveller4 ,his hair was white1 he looked an old man2 one whose wanderings in wild places must perforce come soon to an end4 ,uncle1 said ,john1 ,i want to chuck ,oxford4 ,eh8 ,i should like to go into the ,army4 ,bless my soul6 ,the explorer eyed his nephew with wrinkled brow4 ,john gave reasons2 we can guess what they were4 ,the prospect of war had set all ardent souls afire4 ,i must think this over1 my boy1 the uncle replied presently4 ,i must sleep on it4 ,have you told your mother8 ,no2 ,i counted upon you to persuade her4 ,um4 ,now tell me about ,lord's6 ,ah6 ,i'm sorry ,i missed that match4 ,next day1 his uncle said nothing of what lay next to ,john's heart1 but the pair rode together over the estate4 ,during that ride it became plain to the young man that his uncle had no intention of settling down4 ,once or twice1 in the driest1 most matter-of-fact tone1 the elder spoke as if his heir were likely to inherit soon4 ,finally1 ,john blurted out a protest-- ,but1 uncle1 you are a strong man4 ,why do you talk as if--as if---- the boy couldn't finish the phrase4 ,tut1 tut1 said the uncle4 ,i know what ,i know2 and he fell into silence4 ,not till the evening1 after ,mrs4 ,verney had gone to bed1 did the man of many wanderings speak freely4 ,john1 said he1 quietly1 ,i have a story to tell you4 ,years ago1 your father and ,i fell in love with the same girl4 ,she married the better man4 ,he paused to fill a pipe3 ,john saw that his uncle's fingers trembled slightly2 but his voice was cool1 measured1 almost monotonous4 ,i made my first expedition to ,patagonia4 ,when ,i came back you were just born2 and ,i asked that ,i might be your godfather4 ,i went to ,africa after the christening4 ,and six years later your father died4 ,i think he had the purest and most unselfish love of the poor and helpless that ,i have ever known4 ,he wore away his life in the service of the outcast and forlorn4 ,and before he died1 he expressed a wish that you should work as he did1 for others1 but not in precisely the same way4 ,he knew1 none better1 the limitations imposed upon a parson4 ,he prayed that you might labour in a field larger than one parish4 ,and ,i promised him that ,i would do what ,i could when the time came4 ,it has come--to-night4 ,in my opinion1 in ,warde's opinion1 in your dear mother's opinion1 ,parliament is the place for you4 ,you will be sufficiently well off4 ,take all ,oxford can give you1 and then try for the ,house of ,commons4 ,charles ,desmond will make you one of his ,private ,secretaries4 ,i have spoken to him4 ,you have a great career before you4 ,but if war breaks out1 uncle---- ,war will break out4 ,don't misunderstand me6 ,if you are wanted out there1 and the thing is going to be very serious1 if you are wanted1 you must go2 but decidedly you are not wanted yet4 ,and you are an only son2 all your mother has4 ,john1 you must think of her1 and you will think of her1 ,i know4 ,the conviction in his quiet voice communicated itself to his nephew4 ,there was a pause of nearly a minute2 and then ,john answered1 in a voice curiously like his uncle's-- ,all right4 ,verney senior held out his hand4 ,i knew you would say that1 he murmured4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on the #ahth of ,september1 when ,john returned to the ,hill1 the country had just learned that the proposals of the ,imperial ,government to accept the note of ,august #aith 7provided it were not encumbered by conditions which would nullify the intention to give substantial representation to the ,uitlanders7 had not been accepted4 ,that this meant war1 none1 least of all a schoolboy1 doubted4 ,desmond could talk of nothing else4 ,he told ,john that his father had promised to let him leave ,harrow before the end of the term1 if war were declared4 ,the ,demon1 so ,john was informed1 had made already preparations4 ,he was taking out his three polo ponies1 and had hopes of being appointed ,galloper to a certain ,general4 ,scaife's ,horse was being organized1 but in any case would not take the field before several months had elapsed2 the ,demon intended to be on the spot when the first shot was fired4 ,to all this gunpowder-talk ,john listened with envious ears and a curious sinking of the heart4 ,he had looked forward to having ,desmond to himself2 and lo6 his friend was seven thousand miles away--on the veldt1 not on the ,hill4 ,you are not keen1 said ,desmond4 ,on the day of the ,goose ,match1 ,saturday1 ,september #cjth1 ,scaife came down to ,harrow to take leave of his friends4 ,already1 ,john noted an extraordinary difference in his manner and appearance4 ,he treated ,john to a slightly patronizing smile1 called him ,jonathan1 asked if he could be of service to him1 and posed most successfully as a sort of sucking ,alexander4 ,that he absorbed ,desmond's eyes and mind was indisputable4 ,everything outside ,south ,africa1 and in particular the ,hill and all things thereon1 dwindled into insignificance4 ,scaife made ,desmond a present of the very best maps obtainable1 and nailed them on the wall above the mantelpiece1 pulling down a fine engraving which ,john had given to ,desmond about a year before4 ,desmond uttered no protest4 ,the engraving was bundled out of sight behind a sofa4 ,and after ,scaife's departure1 ,desmond talked of him continually1 and always with enthusiasm4 ,warde added a note or two to the chorus4 ,this is an opportunity for ,scaife1 he told ,john4 ,he may distinguish himself very greatly1 and the discipline of the camp will transmute the bad metal into gold4 ,war is an alchemist4 ,upon the #aath of ,october war was declared4 ,after that1 ,desmond became as one possessed4 ,he went about saying that he pitied his father profoundly because he was a civilian and a non-combatant4 ,warde wrote to ,charles ,desmond3 ,if you mean to send ,harry out1 send him at once4 ,he's fretting himself to fiddle-strings1 doing no work1 and causing others to do no work also4 ,sir ,william ,symons' victory and death followed1 and then the mortifying retreat of ,general ,yule4 ,upon the #cjth day of the month eight hundred and fifty officers and men were isolated and captured4 ,who does not remember the wave of passionate incredulity that swept across the kingdom when the evil tidings flashed over-seas8 ,but ,buller and his staff were on the ,dunottar ,castle1 and all ,harrovians believed devoutly that within a month of landing the ,commander-in-,chief would drive the invaders back and conquer the ,transvaal4 ,day after day1 ,desmond importuned his father4 ,the fun would be over1 he pointed out1 before he got there--and so on4 ,at last word came4 ,a billet had been obtained4 ,desmond received a long envelope from the ,war ,office4 ,he showed it to all his friends1 old and young4 ,duff junior--,caesar's fag--became so excited that he asked ,warde for permission to enlist as a drummer-boy4 ,the ,school cheered ,caesar at four ,bill4 ,and then came the parting4 ,caesar was to join the ,headquarters' ,staff as soon as possible4 ,he spent the last hours with ,john1 but his mind1 naturally enough1 was concentrated upon his kit4 ,he chattered endlessly of saddlery1 revolvers1 sleeping bags1 and ,zeiss glasses4 ,john packed his portmanteau4 ,and on the morrow the friends parted at the station without a word beyond-- ,good-bye1 old ,jonathan4 ,wish you were coming4 ,good-bye1 ,caesar4 ,good luck6 ,and then the shrill whistle1 the inexorable rolling of the wheels1 the bright1 eager face leaning far out of the window1 the waved handkerchief1 the last words3 ,so long6 and ,john's reply1 ,so long6 ,john saw the face fade2 the wheels of the vanishing train seemed to have rolled over his heart2 the scream of the engine was the scream of anguish from himself4 ,he left the station and ran to the ,tower4 ,there1 after the first indescribable moments1 some kindly spirit touched him4 ,he became whole4 ,but he had ceased to be a boy4 ,alone upon the tower he prayed for his friend1 prayed fervently that it might be well with him1 now and for ever--,amen4 ,when he returned to the ,manor1 however1 peace seemed to forsake him4 ,the horrible gap1 ever-widening1 between himself and ,desmond might1 indeed1 be bridged by prayer1 but not by the shouts of boys and the turmoil of a ,public ,school4 ,during the rest of the term he worked furiously4 ,desmond was now on the high seas1 whither ,john followed him at night and on ,sundays4 ,warde1 guessing1 perhaps1 what was passing in ,john's heart1 talked much of ,desmond1 always hopefully4 ,from ,warde1 ,john learned that ,charles ,desmond had tried to dissuade his favourite son from becoming a soldier4 ,he wanted him to go into ,parliament1 said ,warde4 ,john nodded4 ,it was a disappointment4 ,yes2 a great disappointment4 ,harry would have made a debater4 ,yes2 yes2 a nimble wit1 an engaging manner1 and the gift of the gab4 ,and the father would have had him under his own eye4 ,but he wanted to go to ,south ,africa from the beginning4 ,you wanted to go1 said ,warde2 your uncle told me so4 ,it was a greater thing for you1 ,john1 to stand aside4 ,and then ,john put a question4 ,do you think that ,harry ought to have stood aside too8 ,warde1 however1 unwilling to commit himself1 spoke of ,harry's ardour and patriotism4 ,but at the end he let fall a straw which indicated the true current of his thoughts-- ,mr4 ,desmond is very lonely4 ,john swooped on this4 ,then you think1 you do think1 that ,harry should have stayed behind8 ,perhaps4 ,one hesitates to accuse the boy of anything more than thoughtlessness4 ,if he wished to serve his country1 began ,john1 warmly4 ,warde smiled4 ,yes1 yes1 he assented4 ,let us believe that1 ,john2 but there has been too much cheap excitement4 ,dark days followed4 ,who will ever forget ,stormberg and ,magersfontein8 ,a pall seemed to hang over the kingdom4 ,ladysmith remained in the grip of the invader2 the ,boers were not yet driven out of ,natal4 ,meantime ,caesar had reached ,sir ,redvers ,buller4 ,a letter to his father1 describing the few incidents of the voyage out1 and his arrival in ,south ,africa1 was sent on to ,john and received by him on the #ast of ,february4 ,john will understand1 said ,caesar1 in a postscript1 that ,i have little time for writing4 ,but ,john did not understand4 ,he wrote regularly to ,desmond2 no answer came in return4 99 99 99 99 99 ,at the end of the ,christmas holidays ,john returned to ,harrow4 ,he was now ,head of his ,house1 and very nearly ,head of the ,school4 ,the weeks went by slowly4 ,soon1 he and a few others would travel to ,oxford for their examination2 there would be the strenuous excitement of competition1 and the final announcement of success or failure4 ,to all this ,john told himself that he was lukewarm4 ,nothing seemed to matter since he had lost sight of ,caesar's face1 since the train whirled his friend out of his life4 ,but he worked hard1 so hard that the ,head ,master bade him beware of a breakdown4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the hour of triumph came4 ,john had gratified his own and ,warde's ambition2 he was a ,scholar of ,christ ,church4 ,and this well-earned success seemed to draw something in his heart4 ,the congratulations1 the warm hand-clasps1 the generous joy of schoolfellows not as fortunate1 restored his moral circulation4 ,a whole holiday was granted in honour of his success at ,oxford4 ,he told himself that now he would take things easy and enjoy himself4 ,the clouds in ,south ,africa were lifting1 everybody said the glorious end was in sight4 ,and so far ,desmond had escaped wounds and sickness4 ,he had received a commission in ,beauregard's ,irregular ,horse2 in the five days' action about ,spion ,kop he behaved with conspicuous gallantry4 ,scaife1 having obtained his billet of ,galloper1 was with a ,general under ,lord ,methuen4 ,on the last ,monday but one in the term1 ,john was entering the ,manor just before lock-up1 when a ,sixth ,form boy from another house passed him1 running4 ,have you heard about poor ,scaife8 he called out4 ,no--what8 ,warde will tell you2 he knows4 ,the boy ran on1 not wishing to be late4 ,john ran1 too1 with his heart thumping against his side4 ,he felt certain1 from the expression upon the boy's face1 that ,scaife was dead4 ,and ,john recalled with intense bitterness and humiliation moments in past years when he had wished that ,scaife would die4 ,charles ,desmond had told him only three weeks before that his ,harry hoped to join the smart cavalry regiment in which a commission had been promised to ,scaife4 ,at that moment ,john was sensible of an inordinate desire for anything that might come between this wish and its fulfilment4 ,and now1 ,scaife might be lying dead4 ,he found ,warde in his study staring at a telegram4 ,he looked up as ,john entered1 and in silence handed him the message4 ,demon dead4 ,died gloriously4 ,the telegram came from an ,harrovian1 an old ,manorite at the ,war ,office4 ,john sat down1 stunned by the news2 ,warde regarded him gravely4 ,john met his glance and could not interpret it4 ,presently1 ,warde said nervously-- ,why did the fellow write ',demon' instead of ',scaife'8 ,i don't like that4 ,he looked sharply at ,john1 who did not understand4 ,then he added1 ,i've wired for confirmation4 ,there may be a--mistake4 ,what mistake8 said ,john4 ,warde's manner confused him1 frightened him4 ,what mistake1 sir8 ,warde1 twisting the paper1 answered miserably-- ,there has been an action1 but not in ,scaife's part of ,africa4 ,beauregard's ,horse were engaged and suffered severely4 ,and would any one say ',demon' in such a serious context8 ,oh1 my ,god6 said ,john1 pale and trembling4 ,at last he understood4 ,add two letters to ,demon and you have ,desmond4 ,how easily such a mistake could be made6--,desmond1 ill-written1 handed to an old ,manorite to copy and despatch4 ,it's ,scaife--it's ,scaife1 ,john cried4 ,warde said nothing1 staring at the thin slip of paper as if he were trying to wrest from it its secret4 ,everybody called him ',demon1' said ,john4 ,still1 one ought to be prepared4 ,for many hideous minutes they sat there1 silent1 waiting for the second telegram4 ,dumbleton brought it in1 and lingered1 anxiously expectant2 but ,warde dismissed him with a gesture4 ,as the door closed1 ,warde stood up4 ,if our fears are well founded1 he said solemnly1 may ,god give you strength1 ,john ,verney1 to bear the blow4 ,then he tore open the envelope and read the truth-- ,henry ,desmond killed in action4 ,no1 said ,john1 fiercely4 ,it is ,scaife1 ,scaife6 ,warde shook his head1 holding ,john's hand tight between his sinewy fingers4 ,john's face appalled him4 ,he had known1 he had guessed1 the strength of ,john's feeling for ,desmond1 but1 he had not known the strength of ,john's hatred of ,scaife4 ,and ,desmond had been taken--and ,scaife left4 ,the irony of it tore the soul4 ,don't speak1 commanded ,warde4 ,john closed his lips with instinctive obedience4 ,when he opened them again his face had softened2 the words fell upon the silence with a heartrending inflection of misery4 ,and now ,i shall never know--,i shall never know4 ,he broke down piteously4 ,warde let the first passion of grief spend itself2 then he asked ,john to explain4 ,the good fellow saw that if ,john could give his trouble words it would be lightened enormously4 ,he divined what had been suppressed4 ,what is it that you will never know1 ,john8 ,at that ,john spoke1 laying bare his heart4 ,he gave details of the never-ending struggle between ,scaife and himself for the soul of his friend2 gave them with a clearness of expression which proved beyond all else how his thoughts had crystallized in his mind4 ,warde listened1 holding ,john's hand1 gripping it with sympathy and affection4 ,the romance of this friendship stirred him profoundly2 the romance of the struggle for good and evil2 a struggle of which the issues remained still in doubt2 a romance which ,death had cruelly left unfinished--this had poignant significance for the house-master4 ,i shall never know now1 ,john repeated1 in conclusion4 ,but you have faith in your friend4 ,he never wrote to me1 said ,john4 ,at last it was out1 the thorn in his side which had tormented him4 ,if he had written1 ,john continued1 if only he had written once4 ,when we parted it was good-bye--just that1 nothing more2 but ,i thought he would write1 and that everything would be cleared up4 ,and now1 silence4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the week wore itself away4 ,a few details were forthcoming3 enough to prove that a glorious deed had been done at the cost of a gallant life4 ,england was thrilled because the hero happened to be the son of a popular ,minister4 ,the name of ,desmond rang through the ,empire4 ,john bought every paper and devoured the meagre lines which left so much between them4 ,it seemed that a certain position had to be taken--a small hill4 ,for the hundredth time in this campaign too few men were detailed for the task4 ,the reek of that awful slaughter on ,spion ,kop was still strong in men's nostrils4 ,beauregard and his soldiers halted at the foot of the hill1 halted in the teeth of a storm of bullets4 ,then the word was given to attack4 ,but the fire from invisible foes simply exterminated the leading files4 ,the moment came when those behind wavered and recoiled4 ,and then ,desmond darted forward--alone1 cheering on his fellows4 ,they were all afoot4 ,the men rallied and followed4 ,but they could not overtake the gallant figure pressing on in front4 ,he ran--so the ,special ,correspondent reported--as if he were racing for a goal4 ,the men staggered after him1 aflame with his ardour4 ,they reached the top1 captured the guns1 drove down the enemy1 and returned to the highest point to find their leader--shot through the heart1 and dead1 and smiling at death4 ,of all the men who passed through that blizzard of bullets he was the youngest by two years4 ,warde told ,john that the ,head ,master would preach upon the last ,sunday evening of the term1 with special reference to ,harry ,desmond4 ,could ,john bear it8 ,john nodded4 ,since the first breakdown in ,warde's study1 his heart seemed to have turned to ice4 ,his religious sense1 hitherto strong and vital1 failed him entirely4 ,he abandoned prayer4 99 99 99 99 99 ,evensong was over in ,harrow ,chapel4 ,the ,head ,master1 stately in surplice and scarlet hood1 entered the pulpit1 and1 in his clear1 calm tones1 announced his text1 taken from the #agth verse of the ,first ,chapter of the ,book of ,ruth-- 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,lord do so to me1 and more also1 if ought but death part thee and me4 ,the subject of the sermon was ,friendship3 the heart's blood of a ,public ,school3 ,friendship with its delights1 its perils1 its peculiar graces and benedictions4 ,to-night1 concluded the preacher1 amid the breathless silence of the congregation1 this thought of ,friendship has for us a special solemnity4 ,it is consecrated by the memory of one whom we have just lost4 ,you1 who are leaving the school1 have been the friends and contemporaries of ,henry ,julius ,desmond2 his features are fresh in your memories1 and will remain fresh as long as you live4 ,tall1 eager1 a face to remember1 ,a flush that could change as the day2 ,a spirit that knew not ,december1 ,that brightened the sunshine of ,may4 ,those lines1 as you know1 were written of another ,harrovian1 who died here on this ,hill4 ,henry ,desmond died on another hill1 and died so gloriously that the shadow of our loss1 dark as it seemed to us at first1 is already melting in the radiance of his gain4 ,to die young1 clean1 ardent2 to die swiftly1 in perfect health2 to die saving others from death1 or worse--disgrace--to die scaling heights2 to die and to carry with you into the fuller1 ampler life beyond1 untainted hopes and aspirations1 unembittered memories1 all the freshness and gladness of ,may--is not that cause for joy rather than sorrow8 ,i say--yes4 ,henry ,desmond is one stage ahead of us upon a journey which we all must take1 and ,i entreat you to consider that1 if we have faith in a future life1 we must believe also that we carry hence not only the record of our acts1 whether good or evil1 but the memory of them2 and that memory1 undimmed by falsehood or self-deception1 will create for us ,heaven or ,hell4 ,i do not say--,god forbid6--that you should desire death because you are still young1 and1 comparatively speaking1 unspotted from the world2 but ,i say ,i would sooner see any of you struck down in the flower of his youth than living on to lose1 long before death comes1 all that makes life worth the living4 ,better death1 a thousand times1 than gradual decay of mind and spirit2 better death than faithlessness1 indifference1 and uncleanness4 ,to you who are leaving ,harrow1 poised for flight into the great world of which this school is the microcosm1 ,i commend the memory of ,henry ,desmond4 ,it stands in our records for all we venerate and strive for3 loyalty1 honour1 purity1 strenuousness1 faithfulness in friendship4 ,when temptation assails you1 think of that gallant boy running swiftly uphill1 leaving craven fear behind1 and drawing with him the others who1 led by him to the heights1 made victory possible4 ,you cannot all be leaders1 but you can follow leaders2 only see to it that they lead you1 as ,henry ,desmond led the men of ,beauregard's ,horse1 onward and upward4 ,the preacher ended1 and then followed the familiar hymn1 always sung upon the last ,sunday evening of the term3-- ,let ,thy father-hand be shielding ,all who here shall meet no more2 ,may their seed-time past be yielding ,year by year a richer store2 ,those returning1 ,make more faithful than before4 ,the last blessing was pronounced1 and with glistening eyes the boys streamed out of ,chapel2 some of them for the last time4 99 99 99 99 99 ,upon the next ,tuesday1 ,john travelled down into the ,new ,forest4 ,april was abroad in ,hampshire2 the larches already were bright green against the ,scotch firs2 the beech buds were bursting2 only the oaks retained their drab winter's-livery4 ,during the few days preceding ,easter ,sunday1 ,john rode or walked to every part of the forest which he had visited in company with his dead friend4 ,at ,beaulieu1 standing in the ruins of the ,abbey1 he could hear ,desmond's delightful laugh as he recited the misadventures of ,hordle ,john2 at ,stoneycross he sat upon the bank overlooking the moor1 whence they had seen the fox steal into the woods about ,rufus's ,stone2 at the ,bell tavern at ,brook they had lunched2 at ,hinton ,admiral they had played cricket4 ,to his mother's and his uncle's silent sympathy ,john responded but churlishly4 ,his friend had departed without a word1 without a sign2 that ate into ,john's heart and consumed it4 ,for the first time since he had been confirmed1 he refused to receive the ,sacrament4 ,he went to church as a matter of form2 but he dared not approach the altar in his present rebellious mood4 ,again and again he accused himself of having yielded to a craven fear of offending ,desmond by speech too plain4 ,always he had been so terribly afraid of losing his friend2 and now he had lost him indeed4 ,this poignancy of grief may be accounted for in part by the previous long-continued strain of overwork4 ,and it is ever the habit of those who do much to think that they might have done more4 ,at the beginning of ,may1 ,john came back to the ,hill1 for his last term4 ,out of the future rose the dreaming spires of ,oxford2 beyond them1 vague and shadowy1 the great ,clock-tower of ,westminster1 keeping watch and ward over the destinies of our ,empire4 ,in a long letter from ,charles ,desmond1 the ,minister had spoken of the secretaryship to be kept warm for him1 of the pleasure and solace the writer would take in seeing his son's best friend in the place where that son might have stood4 ,his best friend8 ,was that true8 ,the question tormented ,john4 ,because ,caesar had been so much to him1 he desired1 more passionately than he had desired anything in his life1 the assurance that he had been something--not everything1 only something--to ,caesar4 99 99 99 99 99 ,one day1 about the middle of the month1 ,john had been playing cricket1 the game of all games which brought ,caesar most vividly to his mind4 ,then1 just before six ,bill1 he strolled up the ,hill and into the ,vaughan ,library1 where so many relics dear to ,harrovians are enshrined4 ,sitting in the splendid window which faces distant ,hampstead1 ,john told himself that he must put aside the miseries and perplexities of the past month4 ,had he been loyal to his friend's memory8 ,would not a more ardent faith have burned away doubt8 ,john gazed across the familiar fields to the huge city on the horizon4 ,soon night would fall1 darkness would encompass all things4 ,and then1 out of the mirk1 would shine the lamps of ,london4 ,warde's voice put his thoughts to instant flight4 ,some intuition told ,john that something had happened4 ,warde said quietly-- ,a letter has come for you in ,harry ,desmond's handwriting4 ,john1 unable to speak1 stretched out his hand4 ,take it1 said ,warde1 to some quiet spot where you cannot be disturbed4 ,john nodded4 ,i have seen how it was with you1 ,warde continued1 with deep emotion1 and you have had my acute sympathy1 the more acute1 perhaps1 because long ago a friend went out of my life without a sign4 ,warde paused4 ,now1 unless my whole experience is at fault1 you hold in your hand what you want--and what you deserve4 ,warde left the library2 ,john put the letter into his pocket4 ,where should he go8 ,one place beckoned him4 ,upon the tower1 looking towards the ,hill1 he would read the last letter of his friend4 ,within half an hour he was passing through the iron gates4 ,he had not visited the garden since that forlorn winter's afternoon1 when he came here1 alone1 after bidding ,desmond good-bye4 ,he could recall the desolation of the scene3 bleak ,winter dripping tears upon the tomb of ,summer4 ,with what disgust he had perceived the decaying masses of vegetation1 the sodden turf1 the soot upon the bare trunks of the trees4 ,he had rushed away1 fancying that he heard ,desmond's voice1 ,there is a curse on the place4 ,now1 ,may had touched what had seemed dead and hideous1 and1 lo6 a miracle4 ,the hawthorns shone white against the brilliant green of the laurels2 the horse-chestnuts had--to use a fanciful expression of ,caesar's--lit their lamps4 ,out of the waving grass glimmered and sparkled a thousand wild flowers4 ,john heard the glad ,fruehlingslied of bees and birds4 ,then1 opening his lungs1 he inhaled the life-renewing odours of earth renascent2 opening his heart he felt a spiritual essence pervading every fibre of his being4 ,once more the chilled sap in his veins flowed generously4 ,it was well with him and well with his friend4 ,this conviction possessed him1 remember1 before he opened the letter4 ,he ascended the tower1 and broke the seal4 99 99 99 99 99 ,i have been meaning to write to you1 dear old chap1 ever since we parted2 but1 somehow1 ,i couldn't bring myself to tackle it in earnest till to-night4 ,to-morrow1 we have a thundering big job ahead of us2 the last job1 perhaps1 for me4 ,old ,jonathan1 you have been the best friend a man ever had1 the only one ,i love as much as my own brothers--and even more4 ,it was from knowing you that ,i came to see what good-for-nothing fools some fellows are4 ,you were always so unselfish and straight6 and you made me feel that ,i was the contrary1 and that you knew it1 and that ,i should lose your friendship if ,i didn't improve a bit4 ,so1 if we don't meet again in this jolly old world1 it may be a little comfort to you to remember that what you have done for a very worthless pal was not thrown away4 ,good night1 ,jonathan4 ,i'm going to turn in2 we shall be astir before daybreak4 ,over the veldt the stars are shining4 ,it's so light1 that ,i can just make out the hill upon which1 ,i hope1 our flag will be waving within a few hours4 ,the sight of this hill brings back our ,hill4 ,if ,i shut my eyes1 ,i can see it plainly1 as we used to see it from the tower1 with the ,spire rising out of the heart of the old school4 ,i have the absurd conviction strong in me that1 to-morrow1 ,i shall get up the hill here faster and easier than the other fellows because you and ,i have so often run up our ,hill together--,god bless it--and you6 ,good night4 ,,footnotes3 #ci ,brekker1 i4e4 breakfast4 ,,printed ,,and ,,bound ,,in ,,england ,,by ,,william ,,clowes ,,and ,,sons ,,limited1 ,,london ,,and ,,beccles