ly the doctor was there, and he,
unrestrained by the presence of his usual bodyguard, was most friendly
and cordial.

"Ah, Riddell, glad to see you. Sit down. You find me a bachelor, you
see, for once in a way."

Riddell was soon at his ease. The doctor chatted pleasantly over their
tea about various Willoughby topics, giving his opinion on some and
asking the captain's opinion on others, and so delicately showing his
sympathy for the boy in his difficulties and his approval of his efforts
for the good of the school, that Riddell was quite won over, and
prepared for the serious matter which the doctor presently broached.
"Yes," said the latter, in reply to some reference by Riddell to the
Welchers. "Yes, I am a good deal concerned about Welch's house,
Riddell. I dare say you can understand why."

"I think so, sir. They don't seem to pull together there somehow, or
have the sympathy with the good of the school."

"Precisely. That's just what it is," said the doctor, delighted to find
his head boy so exactly understanding the nature of the house over which
he was to be installed. "They seem to be `each man for himself, and
none for the State,' I fear."

"I think so," said Riddell. "They hold aloof from most of the school
doings, unless there's a chance of a row. They had no boat on the river
this year, and I don't think they will have a man in the eleven against
Rockshire. And they seem to have no ambition to work for the school."

The doctor mused a bit, and then said, with a half-sigh, as if to
himself, "And I wish that were the worst of it." Then turning to
Riddell, he said, "I am glad to hear your opinion of Welch's house,
Riddell, and to find that you seem to understand what is wrong there.
What should you say to taking charge of that house in future?"

This was breaking the news suddenly, with a vengeance, and Riddell
fairly gaped at the head master as he sat back in his chair, and
wondered if he had heard aright.

"What, sir!" at length he gasped; "_I_ take charge of Welch's!"

"Yes, my boy," said the doctor, quietly.

"Oh, I could never do it, sir!" exclaimed Riddell, pale at the very
notion.

"Try," said the head master. "It may not be so impossible as you
think."

"I'm not popular, sir," faltered Riddell, "and I've no influence.
Indeed, it would only make things worse. Try some one else, sir. Try
Fairbairn."

"I shall want Fairbairn to be the head of the schoolhouse," said the
do