or the cold, he might have
had worse quarters during his temporary exile.

But the discovery that delighted them most was a fragment of a newspaper
in which were wrapped the not yet exhausted end of a ham, and half a
biscuit!

Over these relics they dwelt with quite an affectionate interest, till
somebody said--

"What did he have to drink? He didn't take any of our ginger-beer, and
there's no water here."

"Why, you duffer, of course he could get out any time he liked. It's
only a latch on the door; any one can open it from inside. He could
easily get down to the river in the night, and have a tub, and fetch up
some water."

They decided that in future the shop committee, except when Mr and Mrs
Stratton were present, should meet nowhere but in "Rollitt's chamber,"
as they forthwith named the room, and proceeded to dedicate it to that
use there and then.

"Do you know," said Wally, "that after we pay back Mr Stratton what he
lent us to start with, there'll be a clear L5 to give to the clubs out
of the profits?"

"Not bad," said Percy. "They ought to put us in the first fifteen for
that."

"Never mind," said D'Arcy; "they've got a jolly hot fifteen for
Saturday, Rollitt and all of 'em. We ought to put the Penchurch chaps
to bed for once, I fancy."

This was the general impression throughout the School; and, as if to
make up for the abstinence of the past few weeks, the fervour of the
athletic set waxed high as the eventful day drew near. Yorke had out
his men once or twice, practising kicks, and selecting where in the
field each player could work to best advantage.

Rollitt, of course, did not attend these practices; but Clapperton and
Brinkman did, and soon lost the embarrassment with which they first
faced their old rivals and enemies. Corder was down too; dreadfully
afraid lest by _some_ mishap he should discredit himself, and so be
knocked out of his coveted place in the team. Mr Stratton was on the
spot also, advising and admonishing--as no one knew better how to do.
Even the doctor showed his interest in the new departure of the clubs by
coming down too, and by giving directions to reserve seats in the
pavilion for a party of his friends.

The only unenthusiastic person, except Rollitt, was Dangle. He tried at
first to brazen it out, and came down to the field with a sneer on his
face to look, so he said, "at the good boys exercising themselves." But
the juniors soon routed him out of that