g an unfair advantage of the rest and
getting promotion undeservedly. But in the Sixth Form you have got
beyond that stage. We don't worry much about marks here, so there is
nothing immoral in using a crib. It is merely silly. It tends to slack
translation which in the end ruins scholarship. And by using the notes
as you do, Carter, you are doing the same thing. You really must use
more common-sense. Go on, please, Harding."

Gordon was amazed at such a broadminded view of cribbing. He had long
since grown weary of preachers who talked about dishonesty, without
seeming to draw a line between active dishonesty and passive slackness.
The Chief realised that it was deliberate slackness that led to
dishonesty, not dishonesty that was incidentally slack. The Chief must
be a very wise man.

Nevertheless his admiration of the Chief did not make him do any more
work than was strictly necessary; and Gordon began to drift into a
peaceful academic groove, where he did just enough work to pass
unnoticed--neither good nor bad. He had grown tired of ragging. It was
such an effort, especially when the call of football demanded of every
ounce of energy. To drift down-stream may spell mediocrity, but it also
spells security, and, after all, there was little danger of Gordon
becoming a mediocrity in other branches of school life. He was far too
ambitious for that, but his ambitions were not academic. House politics
and athletics were sufficient burdens for one man in one lifetime.
"Other heights in other lives"; and Gordon believed in doing a few
things well.

It was more than lucky for Gordon's future that this term he found
himself a success on the football field. If he had not, he would
probably have sought a prominent position in the eyes of the school by
more doubtful paths; but as it was there was no need for him to plunge
into wild escapades to get noticed. His football attracted quite enough
attention. People spoke of his chances of getting into the Fifteen next
year. The Milton match was his greatest triumph, mainly because the rest
of the side did badly. Lovelace played back and made one or two fine
runs when he got the ball, but as a whole the side played very
half-heartedly. Burgoyne was off colour, and Collins's excuse that he
had been overworking lately did not save him from being kicked out of
the side after the match. But Gordon, who had got his Colts' badge on
the morning of the match, and so was relieved of any anxie