the
possibility of actually working. It was a preposterous idea. Something
had to be done, however, so Collins bought excellent translations of the
works of Vergil and Xenophon. A vote of thanks proposed by Foster and
seconded by Brown was very properly carried _nem. con._

But in V. B and IV. A there were some strong, rebellious spirits who
would not bow down under any tyranny. In Study No. 1, at the end of the
passage on the lower landing, Mansell addressed a meeting of delegates
with great fervour.

"From time immemorial," he thundered out, "it has been the privilege of
the members of this House" (he had been reading _John Bull_ the day
before) "to enjoy themselves, to work if they wanted to, to smoke if
they wanted to, to do any damned thing they wanted to. The only thing
they'd got to do was to play like hell in the Easter term, and here's
that ---- Clarke trying to make us do work, and, what is more, to work
for Claremont! Gentlemen, let us stand by our traditions." (Mr Bottomley
is useful at times.)

"That's all very jolly," said the practical Farrow, "but what are you
doing?"

"Oh, it doesn't matter what we do, as long as we stand up for our
rights. Who ever heard of School House men working?"

"Now look here, my good fellows," said the ingenious Archie, "it's quite
simple, if you will only do as I tell you. Clarke told us to bring him a
form list; the obvious thing to do is not to bring one at all."

"But, you silly ass, the fellow who ought to have brought it will get
into the very Hades of a row."

"Exactly. But who is the responsible person? Clarke said the senior man.
Well, now, in IV. A I am, as far as work is concerned, the senior man in
the form. But Hasel has been in the form a term longer than me, while
Farrow, a most arrant idiot, who has only just reached the form, has
been in the House a year longer than either of us. There is no senior
man. We have all excellent claims to the position, but we waive them in
favour of our inferiors."

Archie was at once acclaimed as the Napoleon of deceit. That week Clarke
found no form order either from IV. A or V.B. After prayers that evening
he asked to see all those in IV. A and V.B.

When the conspirators arrived at his study Clarke found that everything
had been elaborately prepared. There was not a single hitch in the
argument. No one was at fault. There had been a general
misunderstanding. They were, of course, very sorry. Clarke listened in
sile