fer from him at the masters' meetings. He has no talent
for organization, and yet he is always inflicting his ideas on others.
It was like his impertinence to dictate to you what authors you should
read, and meanwhile the sixth-form room like a bear-garden, and a school
prefect being put into the waste-paper basket. My good Rickie, there's
nothing to smile at. How is the school to go on with a man like that?
It would be a case of 'quick march,' if it was not for his brilliant
intellect. That's why I say it's a little unfortunate. You will have
very little in common, you and he."

Rickie did not answer. He was very fond of Widdrington, who was a
quaint, sensitive person. And he could not help being attracted by
Mr. Jackson, whose welcome contrasted pleasantly with the official
breeziness of his other colleagues. He wondered, too, whether it is so
very reactionary to contemplate the antique.

"It is true that I vote Conservative," pursued Mr. Pembroke, apparently
confronting some objector. "But why? Because the Conservatives, rather
than the Liberals, stand for progress. One must not be misled by
catch-words."

"Didn't you want to ask me something?"

"Ah, yes. You found a boy in your form called Varden?"

"Varden? Yes; there is."

"Drop on him heavily. He has broken the statutes of the school. He is
attending as a day-boy. The statutes provide that a boy must reside with
his parents or guardians. He does neither. It must be stopped. You must
tell the headmaster."

"Where does the boy live?"

"At a certain Mrs. Orr's, who has no connection with the school of any
kind. It must be stopped. He must either enter a boarding-house or go."

"But why should I tell?" said Rickie. He remembered the boy, an
unattractive person with protruding ears, "It is the business of his
house-master."

"House-master--exactly. Here we come back again. Who is now the
day-boys' house-master? Jackson once again--as if anything was Jackson's
business! I handed the house back last term in a most flourishing
condition. It has already gone to rack and ruin for the second time. To
return to Varden. I have unearthed a put-up job. Mrs. Jackson and Mrs.
Orr are friends. Do you see? It all works round."

"I see. It does--or might."

"The headmaster will never sanction it when it's put to him plainly."

"But why should I put it?" said Rickie, twisting the ribbons of his gown
round his fingers.

"Because you're the boy's form-master."

"Is