dignity of office, and solemnly inquired
of Mr Stutter, the Premier, whether he was aware that a new party had
lately been formed in the House, consisting of Messrs. Telson, Parson,
Bosher, King, and Wakefield, called the "Skyrockets," whose object was
to look after the interests of the juniors all over the school, and who
would be glad to receive fresh members at one shilling a head?

Stutter, who was scarcely heard in the uproar which followed this
sensational announcement, meekly replied that he had not heard a word
about it, an answer which, for some reason or other, provoked almost as
much laughter as the question.

"All very well for them to grin," growled Telson, who had expected a
somewhat different reception to his important question: "wait till we
start on the amendments."

The opportunity soon arrived. Coates being called upon to open the
debate, let off the speech he had prepared, and if he did not convince
the House that classics was a nobler study than mathematics, he at least
showed that he had convinced himself.

The "Skyrockets" had barely the patience to hear him out, and the moment
he had done, Parson started to his feet, and shouted, "Mr Chairman and
gentlemen, I beg to move an amendment--"

Here Bloomfield, whom the sight of the notice-paper had prepared for
what was coming, interposed, "When I am ready for the honourable member
I will call on him. The motion is not yet seconded."

"No, no! That won't wash, will it, you fellows?" cried Parson,
excitedly, planting himself firmly in his place, and evidently seeing
through the deep designs of the enemy. "Bother seconding! I mean to
move my amendment, if I stick here all night! (Terrific Skyrocket
cheers.) We kids have been snubbed long enough, and we're going to make
a stand!" ("Question," "Order.") "All very well for you to sing out
`Order'--"

The Chairman:

"Will the honourable member--"

"No, he won't!" screamed Parson, with the steam well up; "and he's not
going to! I've got a right to be heard--we've all got a right to be
heard, and we're going to be heard, what's more! (Tremendous cheers
from the club.) We're all equal here, aren't we, you chaps?"
("Rather!")

Here Fairbairn rose to order, but Parson was too quick for him.

"No, no!" he cried, "we don't want any of your jaw! We're not going to
be shut up by you! We're a party, I tell you, and we're bound to stick
out!" ("Hear, hear," from Bosher.) "We expected you'd