and the Saturday. The latter event was
specially satisfactory to Railsford, as he was able to secure the
services of Monsieur Lablache as assistant-judge--not exactly a popular
appointment, but, failing any better, one which fellows had to make the
best of.

The house rose that Saturday morning with a full sense of the crisis
which was upon it. Despite Felgate's sneers, and the jealous ridicule
which floated in from outside on their efforts, they felt that they
stood face to face with a great chance. Their reputation as a house was
on its trial; they were boycotted by the doctor, and held up as a
warning to evil-doers. They resolved to make themselves a warning to
good and evil-doers alike that day, and show the doctor and everyone
else that the spirit was not yet knocked out of them.

The half-holiday at Railsford's, as we have said, began under the new
_regime_ immediately after breakfast, and ended at one o'clock, so that
the farce of morning school did not interpose to chill the ardour of the
combatants. The whole house assembled in flannels in honour of the
occasion. The weather was very much like what the School had had a week
ago; if anything, the ground was hardly in quite as good condition. At
any rate, it was felt that, as far as externals went, the test between
the two days' performances would be a fair one. True, there was
something a little chilly about the empty field. The usual inspiriting
crowd of partisan spectators was absent, and the juniors of Railsford,
who usually had to fight for front places, felt it a little dismal when
they discovered that they could occupy any position they liked--even the
ladies' stand.

Arthur was very angry with himself for not getting Daisy down for the
occasion. Her presence would have lent undoubted prestige both to
himself and Dig, as well as to Railsford; and if she could have given
the prizes afterwards it would have been a magnificent family affair.
He bemoaned this omission to Railsford himself as he walked down with
him to the fields. However, just before proceedings begun, the wished-
for excitement was supplied by three most unexpected arrivals on the
course. The first was that of the doctor's niece, who, having watched
the School sports a week ago with great interest, and being secretly
rather sorry for the misfortunes which had over taken Railsford's house,
saw no reason why she should not take her accustomed place in the stand
to-day. The boys