u any glimmerings of moral courage?"

"I don't know, sir," said I, wondering where the conversation was
leading.

The Head, apparently tired out by this catechising, contented
himself with turning his face in the direction of Fillet for his
endorsement or denial.

"He's as bold as they make 'em," said Fillet; and this time the
double meaning was as clear as before: "the boy is utterly
shameless."

The Head turned to Radley, who answered with a snap:

"Yes, he's plenty of courage; and what's better, he's easily
shamed."

"Bless me, are you any good whatever at games?" continued the weary
catechist.

"I can swim a bit, but I'm not much good at anything else."

"As he says, he swims a bit," corroborated Fillet. "But I don't know
what else he can do."

"He's the best swimmer in the school," snapped Radley, "and will one
day be the best bowler."

"Well, bless me, my man, have you any position or influence with
your schoolfellows?"

"I don't know, sir."

"Hm!" sneered Fillet, whose temper was gone. "He has his
_confederates_."

"Yes," said Radley, "he has a _very loyal following_."

I think it pleased the drowsy Head to see two of his masters boxing
over the body of one of his boys.

"Well, well," he said, "I'm glad, Ray, to hear you give such a good
account of yourself. We are satisfied, I may say, with your prowess
in the baths this evening--you did your best, sir, you did your
best--and we are satisfied with the attitude you have taken up in
regard to this nonsensical business outside--"

"But, sir," I began, deprecatingly.

"God bless me, my man, don't interrupt! I tell you, we are
satisfied. We don't sigh for the _moon_; and we're not talking of
your shortcomings. We haven't _time_, bless me, we haven't _time_.
We're only talking of your virtues, which won't occupy many minutes.
We are satisfied that you're not altogether a fool--that you do
some work--that you have some moral courage--that you're an
athlete--and--what else was the matter, with him, Mr. Radley?--oh,
that you have some position with your schoolfellows. We make you a
house-prefect, sir, a house-prefect."

Staggered beyond measure, I suppose I showed it in my face, for
Salome continued:

"Ee, my man, take off that ridiculous expression. I congratulate
you, sir--congratulate you."

And I mechanically shook hands with him. Then Radley gripped my
fingers and nearly broke the knuckle-bones. Fillet also formally
proffered his hand,