uld get a pension from the Government, or be made an Inspector of
Coast-guards. Nothing was too good for the sweet, delectable creature,
and he told him as much.

Whereat Tom, with the 2 shillings 1 penny in his hand and all the boy's
blandishments in his ears, retired to the "Dolphin" to digest both; and
once more Heathcote, with the perspiration on his brow and his chest
positively sore with the thumping of his heart, sped like a truant shade
from the fangs of Cerberus.

After that, neither threats, entreaties, or taunts could induce
Heathcote to venture either alone or in company into Templeton.

Fortunately for him and his leader, the approaching close of the term
gave every one at Templeton an excuse for keeping bounds, and sticking
steadily to work. Pledge, among others, was in for a scholarship, which
five out of six of those who knew him prophesied he would get, if he
took a fortnight's hard work before the examination.

A fortnight before the examination, to the day, Pledge began to work,
and Templeton put down the Bishop's scholarship to him, without further
parley. Only two men were against him--Cartwright, who, fine fellow as
he was, could not desert the cricket field and gymnasium even in the
throes of an examination, and Freckleton, the hermit, whom half of
Templeton didn't know by sight, and the other half put down as a
harmless lunatic, who divided his time between theological exercises and
plodding, but not always successful, study.

Our heroes, being new boys, were exempt from the general school
examinations--their guerdon of reward being the general proficiency
prize for new boys, a vague term, in which good conduct, study, and
progress, were all taken into account. Dick sadly admitted that he was
out of it. Still he vaguely hoped he might "pull off his remove," as
the phrase went--that is, get raised next term to the serene atmosphere
of the lower Fourth, along with the faithful Heathcote.

But nowhere was the studious fit more serious than in the upper Fifth,
where Birket, Swinstead, Wrangham and one or two others, cast longing
eyes on the vacant desk in the Sixth, and strained every nerve to win
it. Cricket flagged, and it was hard during that fortnight to make up a
set at tennis. The early "Tub" alone retained its attractions, and
indeed was never more crowded than when Templeton was heart and soul in
study.

One fellow regarded the whole scene half sadly, and that was Ponty.
Indole