had just been made a colour-sergeant, and
determined to wake things up. He made a long speech to the House,
pointing out the necessity for National Service, the importance of
militarism, and its effect on citizenship. He finished by a patriotic
outburst, telling them that they were wearing the King's uniform, and
that it must be kept clean, with the brass badges polished. The House
was mildly interested; its attitude was summed up in Turner's remark:

"The King's uniform will have to go buttonless as far as I am concerned.
Damned if I'll waste twopence to buy a rotten bone button."

On the next parade, however, Clarke inspected the company. Half the
House had to call him the next morning, dressed properly, at seven
o'clock. That would mean getting up at six-thirty. General
consternation.

"It's a crying scandal," said Lovelace minor. "If I had not been
reported for slacking at French I'd jolly well go and complain to the
Chief. How can anyone play football without proper sleep?"

Gordon laughed from the depths of his arm-chair. There were advantages
in being a recruit, even if one was ordered about by a man in Rogers'
who didn't wash. Hunter and Jeffries raged furiously; they swore that
they would not turn up. "Who is Clarke, damn his eyes, to take on the
privileges of a brigadier-general? It's a House tradition that no one
tries at parade."

Overnight Hunter was very full of rebellion; but seven o'clock saw him
in shining brass, meekly standing before Clarke, who examined them from
his bed with an electric torch. But Jeffries cut; he was ever "agin the
government." He got six. His tunic was clean next week. The House
growled and cursed inwardly, but its appearance on parade was very
different. Clarke was a man.

There is nothing so self-satisfying as to watch trouble from a safe
distance. Gordon was thoroughly happy. Mansell cursed heavily every
Monday night before the Tuesday parade. Clarke became to the House what
Cromwell was to Ireland; even the feeble Davenham thought it was a bit
thick. But Gordon was a recruit, and such things did not worry him. Life
was just then amazingly exciting. He was developing into quite a useful
forward. Mansell said he was certain for a place in the House Thirds
side. He was high up in form, and there was a good chance of his getting
a prize, but what perhaps counted more than anything else was the fact
that he was getting a position in the House. Prefects had ceased to ask
him