he wonder of my own
success to appreciate all at once the glorious significance of the whole
result. But as the Philosophers crowded in a little closer on one
another, and the friendly nudge went round, it began to dawn on me.
Every one of our men had given a good account of himself, even Coxhead
and the "pauper" Rackstraw! Not one of the old gang but was eligible
for the club; not one but had done something to "put the day boys and
Selkirk's and everybody else to bed," as Langrish said.

"Just like your side," said the latter to me, "trying to make out you'd
made a mess of it. You can only make a mess of it, young Sarah, when
you try not to; when you do try you can't do it." And with another
thump on the back our excellent secretary gave me to know he bore me no
malice, but on the contrary was pleased to favour me with his general
approbation.

But more was yet to come. Compared with the "aggregates," the details
of how we had passed each examination were more or less tame, and we
were impatient to get on to the senior results.

The middle school had to come first. As a rule we were not greatly
concerned in them, except as belonging to the division into which some
of us would probably be promoted next term. But such as they were, they
kept up the credit of Sharpe's. A Selkirker did indeed head the list,
but after him a string of four of our fellows followed; after them a day
boy, and then two more "Sharpers."

More back patting, crowding up, conscious blushes, and congratulations.

Then the doctor put down one paper and took up another; and every one
knew what was coming.

"Upper school," read the doctor in exactly the same voice, as if this
announcement were of no more importance than any other. "Aggregate form
order--out of a possible 1000 marks, Redwood, captain of the school, and
day boy, 902."

We were obliged to interrupt a little here. There would not be many
more chances of cheering old Redwood, and we couldn't afford to chuck
them away. So we cheered, and gave the doctor time to polish up his
glasses and take a sip of water.

"Your cheers," said he, when at last we had relieved ourselves, "are
well-deserved. In addition to this capital result, Redwood takes the
Low Heath scholarship to Trinity, where, I almost venture to prophesy,
we shall hear even greater things of him some day."

More cheers. But we were too impatient to hear what came next to
interpose too long a delay.

"Tempest,