ecrecy, both the young gentlemen
addressed were to the condition indicated by the genial twin, this
exhortation was not exactly kind.

They tried to look as if they did not mind it, and Fisher minor
naturally did his best to appear knowing.

"I don't mind," said he, with a snigger; "they're all milksops at home.
I'd sooner be here."

"I wouldn't," put in the sturdy Ashby. "I think it's horrid not to see
a face you know."

"There you are; what did I say! Screaming for his mammy," gibed Wally.

"And if I was," retorted Master Ashby, warming up, "she's a lot better
worth it than yours, so now!"

Master Wally naturally fired up at this. Such language was hardly
respectful from a new junior to an old.

"I'll pull your nose, new kid, if you cheek me."

"And I'll pull yours, if you cheek my mother."

"Booh, booh, poor baby! Who's cheeking your mother? I wouldn't cheek
her with a pair of tongs. Something better to do. I say, are both you
kids Classics?"

"Yes," they replied.

"I thought you must be Moderns, you're both so precious green. All
right, there'll be lamb's singing directly, then you'll have to sit up."

"What's lamb's singing?" said Ashby.

"Don't you know?" replied Wally, glad to have recovered the whip hand.
"It's this way. Every new kid has to sing in his house the first-night.
You'll have to."

"Oh," faltered Ashby, "I can't; I don't know anything."

"Can't get out of it; you must," said the twin, charmed to see the
torture he was inflicting. "So must you, Hair-parting."

Fisher minor was too knowing a hand to be caught napping. He had had
the tip about lamb's singing from his brother last term, and was
prepared. He joined in, therefore, against Ashby.

"What, didn't you know that, kid? You must be green. _I_ knew it all
along."

"That's all right," said Wheatfield. "Now I'm going. I can't fool away
all my evening with you. By the way, mind you don't get taking up with
any Modern kids. It's not allowed, and you'll get it hot if you do. My
young brother," (each twin was particularly addicted to casting
reflections on his brother's age) "is a Modern. Don't you have anything
to do with him. And whatever you do, don't lend any of them money, or
there'll be a most awful row. That's why we always call up
subscriptions for the house clubs on first-night. It cleans the fellows
out, and then they can't lend any to the Moderns. You'll have to shell
out pretty soon, as soon as