Mr. Pembroke (and he only because he had
the music) who gave the right intonation to

"Perish each laggard!
Let it not be said
That Sawston such within her walls hath bred."

"Come, come," he said pleasantly, as they ended with harmonies in the
style of Richard Strauss. "This will never do. We must grapple with the
anthem this term--you're as tuneful as--as day-boys!"

Hearty laughter, and then the whole house filed past them and shook
hands.

"But how did it impress you?" Herbert asked, as soon as they were back
in their own part. Agnes had provided them with a tray of food: the
meals were still anyhow, and she had to fly at once to see after the
boys.

"I liked the look of them."

"I meant rather, how did the house impress you as a house?"

"I don't think I thought," said Rickie rather nervously. "It is not easy
to catch the spirit of a thing at once. I only saw a roomful of boys."

"My dear Rickie, don't be so diffident. You are perfectly right. You
only did see a roomful of boys. As yet there's nothing else to see. The
house, like the school, lacks tradition. Look at Winchester. Look at
the traditional rivalry between Eton and Harrow. Tradition is of
incalculable importance, if a school is to have any status. Why should
Sawston be without?"

"Yes. Tradition is of incalculable value. And I envy those schools that
have a natural connection with the past. Of course Sawston has a past,
though not of the kind that you quite want. The sons of poor tradesmen
went to it at first. So wouldn't its traditions be more likely to linger
in the Commercial School?" he concluded nervously.

"You have a great deal to learn--a very great deal. Listen to me. Why
has Sawston no traditions?" His round, rather foolish, face assumed the
expression of a conspirator. Bending over the mutton, he whispered, "I
can tell you why. Owing to the day-boys. How can traditions flourish in
such soil? Picture the day-boy's life--at home for meals, at home for
preparation, at home for sleep, running home with every fancied wrong.
There are day-boys in your class, and, mark my words, they will give you
ten times as much trouble as the boarders, late, slovenly, stopping away
at the slightest pretext. And then the letters from the parents! 'Why
has my boy not been moved this term?' 'Why has my boy been moved this
term?' 'I am a dissenter, and do not wish my boy to subscribe to the
school mission.' 'Can you let my boy off early to