"Order yourself," retorted Philpot, "I've got a right to speak."

"So have I," said Pilbury, "and I was up first."

"Forge away," said Philpot, "you'll be all right."

"Nothing to do with you if I _am_ all right," snarled Pilbury.

"You seem to think you're the only fellow can talk."

"Ays to the right, noes to the left," said Isaacs, in a loud voice.

The House instantly divided, and before either Pilbury or Philpot could
make up their minds about proceeding, the motion had been declared lost
by a majority of three hundred odd to one.

In a great state of wrath the injured Welchers left the hall, making as
much noise as they possibly could in doing so.

As soon as they were gone, Isaacs put the question that Bloomfield be
elected Speaker, and this was carried without a division, the
schoolhouse fellows not caring to demand one.

Amid loud and long-continued cheers the new Speaker took his seat, and
as soon as silence could be restored, said, "I'm much obliged to you all
for your vote. I hope Willoughby won't go down. I'll try to prevent it
for one. (Loud cheers.) I'm very proud to be elected your Speaker, and
feel it quite as much honour as if I was captain of the school." (Loud
cries of "So you are!"--from Parrett's.) "In reference to what one
gentleman said about me, I hope you won't believe it. I'm twelfth in
classics. (Laughter from the schoolhouse and terrific applause from
Parrett's.) That's all I have to say."

The remaining business of the afternoon was dull compared with what had
gone before. The elections for the various posts in the Government did
not excite very much enthusiasm, especially among the juniors, who
deserted the meeting soon after they began. After what had occurred it
is hardly to be wondered at that the partisans of Bloomfield and the
Parretts had the matter pretty much in their own hands, and used it to
their own advantage. When the list was finally declared, it was found
that only one schoolhouse fellow, Porter, had a place in the "Cabinet."
He was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer. Game was First Lord of
the Admiralty, Wibberly, War Secretary, Ashley, Home Secretary, and
Strutter, a comparatively obscure boy, Premier. All these, as well as
the other officers appointed, were Parrett's fellows, who may have
flattered themselves their election was a simple recognition of merit in
each case, but who, taken altogether, were a long way off being the most
distinguish