tic applause, and turned away with the air
of a man surfeited of success.

"For which side did I win that?" he asked presently, whereupon Tipping
explained that his side had been the favoured one. "Well then," he said,
"you fellows must all back me up, or I shall not play for you any more;"
and he kicked off the ball for the next game.

It was noticeable that the party thus distinguished did not seem
precisely overwhelmed with pleasure at the compliment, which, as they
knew from experience, implied considerable exertion on their part, and
even disgrace if they were unsuccessful.

The other side too looked unhappy, feeling themselves in a position of
extreme delicacy and embarrassment. For if they played their best, they
ran some risk of offending the Doctor, or, what was worse, drawing him
over into their ranks; while if, on the other hand, they allowed
themselves to be too easily worsted, they might be suspected of
sulkiness and temper--offences which he was very ready to discover and
resent.

Dr. Grimstone for his part enjoyed the exercise, and had no idea that he
was not a thoroughly welcome and valued playmate. But though it was
pleasant to outsiders to see a schoolmaster permitting himself to share
in the recreation of his pupils, it must be owned that to the latter the
advantages of the arrangement seemed something more than dubious.

Mr. Bultitude, being on the side adopted by the Doctor, found too soon
that he was expected to bestir himself. More than ever anxious now to
conciliate, he did his very best to conquer his natural repugnance and
appear more interested than alarmed as the ball came in his way; but
although (in boating slang) he "sugared" with some adroitness, he was
promptly found out, for his son had been a dashing and plucky player.

It was bitter for him to run meekly about while scathing sarcasms and
comments on his want of courage were being hurled at his head. It
shattered the scanty remnants of his self-respect, but he dared not
protest or say a single word to open the Doctor's eyes to the injustice
he was doing him.

He was unpleasantly reminded, too, of the disfavour he had acquired
amongst his companions, by some one or other of them running up to him
every moment when the Doctor's attention was called elsewhere, and
startling his nerves by a sly jog or pinch, or an abusive epithet hissed
viciously into his ears--Chawner being especially industrious in this
respect.

And in this un