ds at first lock-up.

"We are going to be cock-house at footer, I hope," he began, "and next
term Scaife will show the School what he can do at racquets; but I want
more. I'm a glutton. How about work, eh? Lot o' slacking last term. Is
it honest? You fellows cost your people a deal of money. And it's well
spent, if, _if_ you tackle everything in school life as you tackled Mr.
Damer's last July. That's all."

"He's giving you what he gave me," said John.

"Good fellow, Warde," observed the Caterpillar; "in his room every night
after prayers to mug up his form work."

"What?" Murmurs of incredulity.

"Fact, 'pon my word. And he never refuses a 'con' to a fellow who wants
it."

"He's paid for it," sneered Scaife.

The other boys nodded; enthusiasm was chilled. Yes, of course Warde was
paid for it. John caught Scaife's eye.

"You don't believe that he's in love with his job, as he told us?"

"Skittles--that!"

John looked solemn. He had a bomb to throw.

"Skittles, is it?" he echoed. The other boys turned to listen. "Do you
think he'd take a better paid billet?"

Scaife laughed derisively. "Of course he would, like a shot. But he's
not likely to get the chance."

"He has just been offered the Head Mastership of Wellborough. It's worth
about four thousand a year."

"Pooh! who told you that?"

"Caesar's father."

"It's true," said Caesar.

"And he refused it," said John, triumphantly.

"Then he's a fool," said Scaife, angrily. He marched out of the room,
slamming the door. But the Manor, as a corporate body, when it heard of
Warde's refusal to accept promotion, was profoundly impressed. Thus the
term began with good resolutions upon the part of the better sort.

Very soon, however, with the shortening days, bridge began again. John
made no protest, afraid of losing his pal. He called himself coward, and
considered the expediency of learning bridge, so as to be in the same
boat with Caesar. Caesar told him that he had not asked his brother Hugo
for the thirteen pounds. Hugo, it seemed, had come back from Teheran
with a decoration and the air of an ambassador. He spoke of his
"services."

"I knew that Hugo would make me swear not to play again," said Caesar to
John, "and naturally I want to get some of the plunder back. I am
getting it back. I raked thirty bob out of Beaumont-Greene last night."

John said nothing.

Presently it came to his ears that Caesar was getting more plunder back.
The Caterp