icers evenly divided. There's much less
chance of a row than it we were three to their one."

"That's all very well," said Fisher, whose pleasure in his own election
had been completely spoiled by the defeat of his friend, "if we could
count on fair play. You know Dangle as well as I do. I'd sooner resign
myself than have him secretary."

"What rot!" said Ranger. "You'd probably only give them another man.
No, we shall have to see we get fair play."

"And give it, too," said the captain.

"They simply packed the meeting," said Dalton, "and fetched up five
juniors at the very end, who turned the scale. If our fellows had done
the same, we should have been all right."

"I don't see the use of growling now it's well over," said Yorke; "the
great thing is to see we get the best men into the teams, and that they
play up."

"We hardly need go outside Wakefield's for that," said Fisher major;
"they've not a man worth his salt in a football scrimmage."

"Look out that they haven't more than we have, that's all," said the
captain, gloomily. "I tell you what, you fellows," added he, with a
touch of temper in his voice, "if our house is to be Cock-House at
Fellsgarth, we can't afford to make fools of ourselves. The School's a
jolly sight more important than any one house, and as long as I'm
captain of the School clubs I don't intend to inquire what house a man
belongs to so long as he can play. We can keep all our jealousy for the
House club if you like; but if it's to be carried into the School sports
we may as well dissolve the clubs and scratch all our matches at once."

"I wonder if Clapperton is giving vent to the same patriotic sentiments
to his admirers," said Ridgway, laughing. "Fancy him, and Dangle, and
Brinkman conspiring together for the glory of the School."

"Why not!" said the captain, testily. "Why won't you give anybody
credit for being decent outside Wakefield's?"

"I'm afraid old Yorke hardly gives any one credit for being decent in
it. For pity's sake don't lecture any more to-night, old man," said
Dalton. "I'll agree to anything rather than that."

"There's just one more thing," said Yorke, "which you may take as
lecture or not as you like. Clapperton said something about helping out
the clubs with money. Fisher major, you are the treasurer; don't have
any of that. Don't take more than the regular subscription from
anybody, and don't take less. If there's a deficit let's all stump u