, they would be sorry for what they had done.

I confess that, as I walked up the steep street, and caught sight at
last of the chimneys of the school peeping up over the trees, I half
wished myself back at home with my mother. I hadn't expected to feel so
lonely. I had indeed looked forward to a little pardonable triumph in
being recognised at once as the fellow who had taken the entrance
exhibition, and who evidently knew what was what. Of course it was
foolish, I told myself, to expect such a thing. Fellows could hardly be
expected to know who I was until they were told. Still it was a
little--just a little--disappointing, and I could not help feeling hurt.

I tramped on, till presently I came to the bridge, and loitered for a
moment to rest and watch the boats flitting about below. There went a
four, smartly manned by youngsters no older than myself. There lolled a
big fellow in a canoe. There swished by a senior in a skiff, calling on
the four-oar to get out of the way as he passed. There, too, stood a
master in flannels, with the Oxford Blue on his straw, talking to a
group of boys. I wish I could have overheard what they were saying.
Perhaps they were discussing the merits of some of the new boys.

I strolled on, passing on the way inquisitive stragglers who stared hard
at me, till I came to where the road skirts the cricket field. Here, at
a broken paling, I stood a moment and glanced in. Fellows were bowling
and batting at the nets, others were strolling arm-in-arm up and down,
hailing new arrivals; others were enjoying a little horseplay; others
were critically examining the last season's pitch; others, impatient of
the seasons, were punting about a brand-new football.

How out of it I was! and yet how sure I felt that if some of those
fellows only guessed who was on the other side of the palings they would
feel interested!

I strolled on farther, and began now to pass the outbuildings. There
was a lecture room, empty at present. Should I be there to-morrow? I
wondered, answering to my name and seeing fellows open their eyes as
they heard it.

There was the gymnasium, I supposed--the place presided over by the
drill master whom Tempest so much detested. I meant to back Tempest up
in that feud.

Ah, there was the Lion Gate, standing open to receive me. Little I had
expected, when once before I entered it on my way to examination, that I
should so soon be coming back, so to speak, in triu