ls.

The first event on the programme was the Babies' hundred yards, for
which our friends Bateson and Jukes were entered, with the serious
record of twenty-two seconds to beat. They were both a little pale and
nervous with the excitement of opening the ball, and looked round
wistfully, first at Railsford, then at Smedley, where he stood, watch in
hand, at the winning-post, and then up at the ladies' stand.

"Now, youngsters," said Railsford, "do your very best. You ought both
of you to run it under twenty seconds. Are you ready now? Off!"

The flood-gates were opened now; and from this moment till the end of
the sports Railsford's kept up a continual roar. Both Bateson and Jukes
had little difficulty in registering a double victory for their house.
Bateson covered the ground in nineteen seconds and Jukes in twenty-one.
While the cheers for this initial victory were in full cry, the third of
that morning's apparitions came upon the scene. This was no other than
Mr Bickers, at sight of whom a chill fell upon the assembly. What did
he want there? Hadn't he done them harm enough? Who asked him to come?
Why wasn't he making his own fellows miserable instead of coming here
and spoiling their fun?

Mr Bickers, after looking round him, and taking in the scene generally,
walked up to the ladies' stand. Fellows dropped back sullenly to make
room for him, although one or two pretended not to notice him and
continued to stand and shout "Bateson!" "Jukes," until he pushed them
aside.

"Good-morning, Miss Violet," said he, lifting his hat. "I did not
expect to see you here."

"Didn't you, Mr Bickers? I'm going to see all the events. They have
just run the first race, and Bateson and Jukes have both beaten the boy
in your house who won last week. Haven't you a programme? Mr
Railsford will give you one."

"Thank you. I'm not staying long. It will be rather dull for you, will
it not?"

"Dull!" said Miss Phyllis, laughing. "_I_ don't think it dull, thank
you."

Mr Bickers walked slowly into the enclosure, watched by everyone.
Railsford greeted him with a nod, and then walked off to the starting-
post to prepare for the next race. The prefects of the house looked
another way, and Smedley was busy comparing his watch with that of
monsieur.

"Smedley," said Mr Bickers, "how come you to be here? You ought to be
in your house."

"I have an _exeat_, sir," said the captain.

"From the doctor?"

"From Mr