Thishehaddonebecauseheknewbybitter——bymostbitter——experiencethatthemanagementofthecollegewasslack，dilatory，andinefficient。Hemightevenadd，almostasslackastheadministrationofcertainhouseswhichnowthoughtfittositinjudgmentonhisactions。Withashortsummaryofhisscholasticcareer，andaprecisofhisqualifications，includinghisdegrees，hewithdrew，slammingthedoor。
　　"Heigho！"saidthechaplain。"Oursisadwarfinglife——abelittlinglife，mybrethren。Godhelpallschoolmasters！Theyneedit。"
　　"Idon’tliketheboys，Iown"——Proutdugviciouslywithhisforkintothetable—cloth——"andIdon’tpretendtobeastrongman，asyouknow。ButIconfessI
　　can’tseeanyreasonwhyIshouldtakestepsagainstStalkyandtheothersbecauseKinghappenstobeannoyedby——by——"
　　"Fallingintothepithehasdigged，"saidlittleHartopp。"Certainlynot，Prout。Nooneaccusesyouofsettingonehouseagainstanotherthroughsheeridleness。"
　　"Abelittlinglife——abelittlinglife。"Thechaplainrose。"IgotocorrectFrenchexercises。BydinnerKingwillhavescoredoffsomeunluckychildofthirteen；hewillrepeattouseverywordofhisbrilliantrepartees，andallwillbewell。"
　　"Butaboutthosethree。Aretheysoprurient—minded？"
　　"Nonsense，"saidlittleHartopp。"Ifyouthoughtforaminute，Prout，youwouldseethatthe’precociousflowoffetidimagery，’thatKingcomplainsof，isborrowedwholesalefromKing。He’nursedthepinionthatimpelledthesteel。’Naturallyhedoesnotapprove。Comeintothesmoking—roomforaminute。Itisn’tfairtolistentoboys；buttheyshouldbenowrubbingitintoKing’shouseoutside。Littlethingspleaselittleminds。"
　　ThedingydenofftheCommon—roomwasneverusedforanythingexceptgowns。Itswindowsweregroundglass；onecouldnotseeoutofit，butonecouldhearalmosteverywordonthegraveloutside。AlightandwaryfootstepcameupfromNumberFive。
　　"Rattray！"inasubduedvoice——Rattray’sstudyfrontedthatway。"D’youknowifMr。
　　King’sanywhereabout？I’vegota——"McTurkdiscreetlylefttheendofthesentenceopen。
　　"No。he’sgoneout，"saidRattrayunguardedly。
　　"Ah！ThelearnedLipsiusisairinghimself，ishe？HisRoyalHighnesshasgonetofumigate。"McTurkclimbedontherailings，whereheheldforthlikethenever—weariedrook。
　　"NowinalltheColl。therewasnostinklikethestinkofKing’shouse，foritstankvehementlyandnoneknewwhattomakeofit。SaveKing。Andhewashedthefags_privatim_et_seriatim_。InthefishpoolsofHesbonwashedhethem，withanapronabouthisloins。"
　　"Shutup，youmadIrishman！"Therewasthesoundofagolf—ballspurtingupgravel。
　　"It’snogoodgettingwrathy，Rattray。We’vecometojapewithyou。Comeon，Beetle。
　　They’reallathome。Youcanwind’em。"
　　"Where’sthePomposoStinkadore？’Tisn’tsafeforapure—souled，high—mindedboytobeseenroundhishousethesedays。Goneout，hashe？Nevermind。I’lldothebestI
　　can，Rattray。I’m_in_loco_parentis_justnow。"
　　（"Oneforyou，Prout，"whisperedMacrea，forthiswasMr。Prout’spetphrase。）
　　"Ihaveafewwordstoimparttoyou，myyoungfriend。Wewilldiscoursetogetherawhile。"
　　HerethelisteningProutsputtered：Beetle，inastrainedvoice，hadchosenafavoritegambitofKing’s。
　　"Irepeat，MasterRattray，wewillconfer，andthematterofourdiscourseshallnotbestinks，forthatisaloathsomeandobsceneword。Wewill，withyourgoodleave——granted，Itrust，MasterRattray，granted，Itrust——studythis——thisscabrousupheavaloflatentdemoralization。Whatimpressesmemostisnotsomuchtheblatantindecencywithwhichyouswaggerabroadunderyourloadofputrescence"（youmustimaginethisdiscoursepunctuatedwithgolf—balls，butoldRattraywaseverabadshot）"asthecynicalimmoralitywithwhichyourevelinyourabhorrentaromas。Farbeitfrommetointerferewithanother’shouse——"
　　（"GoodLord！’saidProut，"butthisisKing。"
　　"Lineforline，letterforletter；listen；"saidlittleHartopp。）
　　"Buttosaythatyoustink，ascertainlewdfellowsofthebasersortaver，istosaynothing——lessthannothing。Intheabsenceofyourbelovedhouse—master，forwhomnoonehasahigherregardthanmyself，Iwill，ifyouwillallowme，explainthegrossness——theunparalleledenormity——theappallingfetorofthestenches（I
　　believeinthegoodoldAnglo—Saxonword），stenches，sir，withwhichyouhaveseenfittoinfectyourhouse……Oh，bother！I’veforgottentherest，butitwasverybeautiful。Aren’tyougratefultousforlaborin’withyouthisway，Rattray？Lotsofchaps’udneverhavetakenthetrouble，butwe’regrateful，Rattray。"
　　"Yes，we’rehorridgrateful，"gruntedMcTurk。"Wedon’tforgetthatsoap。We’repolite。Whyain’tyoupolite，Rat？"
　　"Hallo！"Stalkycanteredup，hiscapoveroneeye。"Exhortin’theWhiffers，eh？I’mafraidthey’retoofargonetorepent。Rattray！White！Perowne！Malpas！Noanswer。
　　Thisisdistressin’。Thisistrulydistressin’。Bringoutyourdead，youglanderedlepers！"
　　"Youthinkyourselffunny，don’tyou？"saidRattray，stungfromhisdignitybythislast。"It’sonlyaratorsomethingunderthefloor。We’regoingtohaveitupto—morrow。"
　　"Don’ttrytoshuffleitoffonapoordumbanimal，anddead，too。Iloatheprevarication。’Ponmysoul，Rattray——"
　　"Holdon。TheHartofflesneversaid’Ponmysoul’inallhislittlelife，"saidBeetlecritically。
　　（"Ah！"saidProuttolittleHartopp。）
　　"Uponmyword，sir，uponmyword，sir，Iexpectedbetterthingsofyou，Rattray。Whycanyounotownuptoyourmisdeedslikeaman？Have_I_evershownanylackofconfidencein_you_？"
　　（"It’snotbrutality，"murmuredlittleHartopp，asthoughansweringaquestionnoonehadasked。"It’sboy；onlyboy。"）
　　"Andthiswasthehouse，"Stalkychangedfromapecking，flutteringvoicetotragicearnestness。"Thiswasthe——the——opencesspitthatdaredtocallus’stinkers。’Andnow——andnow，ittriestoshelteritselfbehindadeadrat。Youannoyme，Rattray。
　　Youdisgustme！Youirritatemeunspeakably！ThankHeaven，Iamamanofequabletemper——"
　　（"Thisistoyouraddress，Macrea，"saidProut。
　　"Ifearso，Ifearso。"）
　　"OrIshouldscarcelybeabletocontainmyselfbeforeyourmockingvisage。"
　　"_Cave_！"inanundertone。BeetlehadspiedKingsailingdownthecorridor。
　　"Andwhatmayyoubedoinghere，mylittlefriends？"thehouse—masterbegan。"Ihadafleetingnotion——correctmeifIamwrong"（thelistenerswithoneaccordchoked）——"thatifIfoundyououtsidemyhouseIshouldvisityouwithdirepainsandpenalties。"
　　"Wewerejustgoin’forawalk，sir，"saidBeetle。
　　"AndyoustoppedtospeaktoRattray_en_route_？"
　　"Yes，sir。We’vebeenthrowinggolf—balls，"saidRattray，comingoutofthestudy。
　　（"OldRatismoreofadiplomatthanIthought。Sofarheisstrictlywithinthetruth，"saidlittleHartopp。"Observetheethicsofit，Prout。"）
　　"Oh，youweresportingwiththem，wereyou？ImustsayIdonotenvyyouyourchoiceofassociates。Ifanciedtheymighthavebeenengagedinsomeoftheprurientdiscoursewithwhichtheyhavebeensodisgustinglyfreeoflate。Ishouldstronglyadviseyoutodirectyourstepsmostcarefullyinthefuture。Pickupthosegolf—balls。"Hepassedon。
　　NextdayRichards，whohadbeenacarpenterintheNavy，andtowhomoddjobswereconfided，wasorderedtotakeupadormitoryfloor；forMr。Kingheldthatsomethingmusthavediedthere。
　　"Weneednotneglectallourworkforatrumperyincidentofthisnature；thoughI
　　amquiteawarethatlittlethingspleaselittleminds。Yes，IhavedecreedtheboardstobetakenupafterlunchunderRichards’sauspices。Ihavenodoubtitwillbevastlyinterestingtoacertaintypeofso—calledintellect；butanyboyofmyhouseoranother’sfoundonthedormitorystairswill_ipso_facto_renderhimselfliabletothreehundredlines。"
　　Theboysdidnotcollectonthestairs，butmostofthemwaitedoutsideKing’s。
　　Richardshadbeenboundtocrythenewsfromtheatticwindow，and，ifpossible，toexhibitthecorpse。
　　"’Tisacat，adeadcat！"Richards’sfaceshowedpurpleatthewindow。Hehadbeeninthechamberofdeathandonhiskneesforsometime。
　　"Catbeblowed！"criedMcTurk。"It’sadeadfagleftoverfromlastterm。ThreecheersforKing’sdeadfag！"
　　Theycheeredlustily。
　　"Showit，showit！Let’shaveasquintatit！"yelledthejuniors。"GivehertotheBug—hunters。"（ThiswastheNaturalHistorySociety）。"ThecatlookedattheKing——anddiedofit！Hoosh！Yai！Yaow！Maiow！Ftzz！"weresomeofthecriesthatfollowed。
　　AgainRichardsappeared。
　　"She’vebeen"——hecheckedhimselfsuddenly——"deadalongtaime。"
　　Theschoolroared。
　　"Well，comeonoutforawalk，"saidStalkyinawell—chosenpause。"It’sallverydisgustin’，andIdohopetheLazar—housewon’tdoitagain。"
　　"Dowhat？"aKing’sboycriedfuriously。
　　"Killapoorinnocentcateverytimeyouwanttogetoffwashing。It’sawfullyhardtodistinguishbetweenyouasitis。Ipreferthecat，Imustsay。Sheisn’tquitesowhiff。Whatareyougoin’todo，Beetle？"
　　"_Je_vais_gloater_。_Je_vais_gloater_tout_le_blessedafternoon。_Jamais_j’ai_
　　_gloate’_comme_je_gloaterai_aujourd’hui_。_Nous_bunkerons_aux_bunkers。"
　　Anditseemedgoodtothemsotodo。
　　Downinthebasement，wherethegasflickersandthebootsstandinracks，Richards，amidhisblacking—brushes，heldforthtoOkeoftheCommon—room，Gumblyofthedining—halls，andfairLenaofthelaundry。
　　"Yiss。Herwereinashockin’staatean’condition。Hernighmademesick，Ital’ee。ButIrowtedunout，andIrowtedunout，an’Imadeallshipshape，thoughhersmeltliketobilges。"
　　"Herdiedmousin’，Ireckon，poorthing，"saidLena。
　　"Thenhermouseddifferenttoanymadecato’God’sworld，Lena。Iupwiththetop—board，an’shewerelyingonherback，an’Iturnedunovverwiththebrume—handle，an’’twasherbackwasallcoveredwiththeplasterfrom’twixtthelathin’。Yiss，Ital’ee。An’underherheadtherelay，like，so’stosay，alittlepillowo’plasterdruvupinfrontofherbyraisonofherslidin’alongonherback。Nocatniverwentmousin’onherback，Lena。Someonehadshovedheralongrightunderneath，sofarastheycouldshoveun。Catsdon’tmaketheyselvespillowsfortodieon。Shovedalong，shewere，whenshewassettin’fortobecold，laike。"
　　"Oh，yeou’mtooclevertolive，Fatty。Yeougogetwedan’taughtsomesense，"saidLena，theaffiancedofGumbly。
　　"Larnedalittle’foreiversomemaidenswasborn。SarvedintheQueen’sNavy，I
　　have，whereyeou’mtaughttouseyoureyes。Yeougo’tendyourownbusiness，Lena。"
　　"Do’eemeanwhatyou’mbeentellin’us？"saidOke。
　　"Askmenoquestions，I’llgive’eenolies。Bullet—holeclanethrufromsidetoside，an’tuheart—ribsbrokelikewithies。IseedunwhenIturnedunovver。
　　They’reclever，oh，they’mclever，butthey’mnottoocleverforoldRichards！’Twasontheborntipo’mytonguetotell，tu，but……hesaidusniverwashed，hedid。
　　Lethisdomboyscallus’stinkers，’hedid。Sarveundomwellraight，Isay！"
　　Richardsspatonafreshbootandfelltohiswork，chuckling。
　　THEIMPRESSIONISTS。
　　Theyhaddroppedintothechaplain’sstudyforaSaturdaynightsmoke———allfourhouse—masters——andthethreebriarsandtheonecigarreekinginamityprovedtheRev。JohnGillett’sgoodgeneralship。Sincethediscoveryofthecat，Kinghadbeentooreadytoseeaffrontwherenonewasmeant，andtheReverendJohn，buffer—stateandgeneralconfidant，hadworkedforaweektobringaboutagoodunderstanding。Hewasfat，clean—shaven，exceptforabigmustache，ofanimperturbablegoodtemper，and，thosewholovedhimleastsaid，aguilefulJesuit。Hesmiledbenignantlyuponhishandiwork——foursorelytriedmentalkingwithoutverymuchmalice。
　　"Nowremember，"hesaid，whentheconversationturnedthatway，"Iimputenothing。
　　ButeverytimethatanyonehastakendirectstepsagainstNumberFivestudy，theissuehasbeenmoreorlesshumiliatingtothetaker。"
　　"Ican’tadmitthat。IpulverizetheegregiousBeetledailyforhissoul’sgood；andtheotherswithhim，"saidKing。
　　"Well，takeyourowncase，King，andgobackacoupleofyears。DoyourememberwhenProutandyouwereontheirtrackforhuttingandtrespass，wasn’tit？HaveyouforgottenColonelDabney？"
　　Theotherslaughed。Kingdidnotcaretoberemindedofhiscareerasapoacher。
　　"Thatwasoneinstance。Again，whenyouhadroomsbelowthem——Ialwayssaidthatthatwasenteringthelion’sden——youturnedthemout。"
　　"Formakingdisgustingnoises。Surely，Gillett，youdon’texcuse——"
　　"AllIsayisthatyouturnedthemout。Thatsameeveningyourstudywaswrecked。"
　　"ByRabbits—Eggs——mostbeastlydrunk——fromtheroad，"saidKing。"Whathasthat？"
　　TheReverendJohnwenton。
　　"Lastly，theyconceivethataspersionsarecastupontheirpersonalcleanliness——amostdelicatematterwithallboys。Ve—rygood。Observehow，ineachcase，thepunishmentfitsthecrime。Aweekafteryourhousecallsthem’stinkers，’King，yourhouseis，nottoputtoofineapointonit，stunkoutbyadeadcatwhochoosestodieintheonespotwhereshecanannoyyoumost。Againthelongarmofcoincidence！
　　_Summa_。Youaccusethemoftrespass。Throughsomeabsurdchainofcircumstances——theymayormaynotbeattheotherendofit——youandProutaremadetoappearastrespassers。Youevictthem。Foratimeyourstudyismadeuntenable。Ihavedrawntheparallelinthelastcase。Well？"
　　"ShewasunderthecentreofWhite’sdormitory，"saidKing。"Therearedoublefloor—boardstheretodeadennoise。Noboy，eveninmyownhouse，couldpossiblyhaveprieduptheboardswithoutleavingsometrace——andRabbits—Eggswasphenomenallydrunkthatothernight。"
　　"Theyaresingularlyfavoredbyfortune。ThatisallIeversaid。Personally，Ilikethemimmensely，andIbelieveIhavealittleoftheirconfidence。IconfessIlikebeingcalled’Padre。’Theyareatpeacewithme；consequentlyIamnottreatedtobogusconfessionsoftheft。"
　　"YoumeanMason’scase？"saidProutheavily。"Thatalwaysstruckmeaspeculiarlyscandalous。IthoughttheHeadshouldhavetakenupthemattermorethoroughly。
　　Masonmaybemisguided，butatleastheisthoroughlysincereandmeanswell。"
　　"IconfessIcannotagreewithyou，Prout，"saidtheReverendJohn。"Hejumpedatsomesillytaleoftheftontheirpart；acceptedanotherboy’sevidencewithout，sofarasIcansee，anyinquiry；and——frankly，Ithinkhedeservedallhegot。"
　　"TheydeliberatelyoutragedMason’sbestfeelings，"saidProut。"Awordtomeontheirpartwouldhavesavedthewholething。Buttheypreferredtolurehimon；toplayonhisignoranceoftheircharacters——"
　　"Thatmaybe，"saidKing，"butIdon’tlikeMason。IdislikehimfortheveryreasonthatProutadvancestohiscredit。Hemeanswell。"
　　"Ourcriminaltraditionisnottheft——amongourselves，atleast，"saidlittleHartopp。
　　"Fortheheadofahousethatraidedsevenheadofcattlefromtheinnocentpot—wallopersofNortham，isn’tthatratherasweepingstatement？"saidMacrae。
　　"Preciselyso，"saidHartopp，unabashed。"That，withgate—lifting，andalittlepoachingandhawk—huntingonthecliffs，isoursalvation。"
　　"Itdoesusfarmoreharmasaschool——"Proutbegan。
　　"Thananyhushed—upscandalcould？Quiteso。Ourreputationamongthefarmersismostunsavory。ButIwouldmuchsoonerdealwithanyamountofingeniouscrimeofthatnaturethan——someotheroffenses。"
　　"Theymaybeallright，buttheyareunboylike，abnormal，and，inmyopinion，unsound，"Proutinsisted。"Themoraleffectoftheirperformancesmustpavethewayforgreaterharm。Itmakesmedoubtfulhowtodealwiththem。Imightseparatethem。"
　　"Youmight，ofcourse；buttheyhavegoneuptheschooltogetherforsixyears。_I_
　　shouldn’tcaretodoit，"saidMacrae。
　　"Theyusetheeditorial’we，’"saidKing，irrelevantly。"Itannoysme。’Where’syourprose，Corkran？’’Well，sir，wehaven’tquitedoneityet。’’We’llbringitinaminute，’andsoon。Andthesamewiththeothers。"
　　"There’sgreatvirtueinthat’we，’"saidlittleHartopp。"YouknowItakethemfortrig。McTurkmayhavesomeconceptionofthemeaningofit；butBeetleisasthebrutesthatperishaboutsinesandcosines。HecopiesserenelyfromStalky，whopositivelyrejoicesinmathematics。"
　　"Whydon’tyoustopit？"saidProut。
　　"Itrightsitselfattheexams。ThenBeetleshowsupblanksheets，andtruststohis’English’tosavehimfromafall。Ifancyhespendsmostofhistimewithmeinwritingverse。"
　　"IwishtoHeavenhewouldtransferalittleofhisenergyinthatdirectiontoElegiaes。"Kingjerkedhimselfupright。"Heis，withthesingleexceptionofStalky，theveryvilestmanufacturerof’barbaroushexameters’thatIhaveeverdealtwith。"
　　"Theworkiscombinedinthatstudy，"saidthechaplain。"Stalkydoesthemathematics，McTurktheLatin，andBeetleattendstotheirEnglishandFrench。Atleast，whenhewasinthesick—houselastmonth——"
　　"Malingering，"Proutinterjected。
　　"Quitepossibly。Ifoundaverydistinctfallingoffintheir’Romand’unJeuneHommePauvre’translations。"
　　"Ithinkitisprofoundlyimmoral，"saidProut。"I’vealwaysbeenopposedtothestudysystem。"
　　"Itwouldbehardtofindanystudywheretheboysdon’thelpeachother；butinNumberFivethethinghasprobablybeenreducedtoasystem，"saidlittleHartopp。
　　"Theyhaveasysteminmostthings。"
　　"Theyconfessasmuch，"saidtheReverendJohn。"I’veseenMcTurkbeinghoundedupthestairstoelegisethe’ElegyinaChurchyard，’whileBeetleandStalkywenttopunt—about。"
　　"Itamountstosystematiccribbing，"saidProut，hisvoicegrowingdeeperanddeeper。
　　"Nosuchthing，"littleHartoppreturned。"Youcan’tteachacowtheviolin。"
　　"Inintentionitiscribbing。"
　　"Butwespokeunderthesealoftheconfessional，didn’twe？"saidtheReverendJohn。
　　"Yousayyou’veheardthemarrangingtheirworkinthisway，Gillett，"Proutpersisted。
　　"GoodHeavens！Don’tmakemeQueen’sevidence，mydearfellow。Hartoppisequallyincriminated。IftheyeverfoundoutthatIhadsneaked，ourrelationswouldsuffer——andIvaluethem。"
　　"Ithinkyourattitudeinthismatterisweak，"saidProut，lookingroundforsupport。"Itwouldbereallybettertobreakupthestudy——forawhile——wouldn’tit？"
　　"Oh，breakitupbyallmeans，"saidMacrae。"WeshallseethenifGillett’stheoryholdswater。"
　　"Bewise，Prout。Leavethemalone，orcalamitywillovertakeyou；andwhatismuchmoreimportant，theywillbeannoyedwithme。Iamtoofat，alas！tobeworriedbybadboys。Whereareyougoing？"
　　"Nonsense！Theywouldnotdare———butIamgoingtothinkthisout，"saidProut。"Itneedsthought。Inintentiontheycribbed，andImustthinkoutmyduty。"
　　"He’sperfectlycapableofputtingtheboysontheirhonor。It’s_I_thatamafool。"TheReverendJohnlookedroundremorsefully。"NeveragainwillIforgetthatamasterisnotaman。Markmywords，"saidtheReverendJohn。"Therewillbetrouble。"
　　ButbytheyellowTiberWastumultandaffright。
　　Outofthebluesky（theywerestillrejoicingoverthecatwar）Mr。ProuthaddroppedintoNumberFive，readthemalectureontheenormityofcribbing，andbiddenthemreturntotheform—roomsonMonday。Theyhadraged，soloandchorus，allthroughthepeacefulSabbath，fortheirsinwasmoreorlessthedailypracticeofallthestudies。
　　"What’sthegoodofcursing？"saidStalkyatlast。"We’reallinthesameboat。
　　We’vegottogobackandconsortwiththehouse。Alockerintheform—room，andaseatatprep。inNumberTwelve。"（HelookedregretfullyroundthecozystudywhichMcTurk，theirleaderinmattersofArt，haddecoratedwithadado，astencil，andcretonnehangings。）
　　"Yes！Heffylurchin’intotheform—roomslikeafrowzyoldretriever，toseeifwearen’tuptosomething。Youknowheneverleaveshishousealone，thesedays，"saidMcTurk。"Oh，itwillbegiddy！"
　　"Whyaren’tyoudownwatchin’cricket？Ilikearobust，healthyboy。Youmustn’tfrowstinaform。room。Whydon’tyoutakeaninterestinyourhouse？Yah！"quotedBeetle。
　　"Yes，whydon’twe？Let’s！We’lltakeaninterestinthehouse。We’lltakenoendofinterestinthehouse！Hehasn’thadusintheform—roomsforayear。We’velearnedalotsincethen。Oh，we’llmakeitabe—autifulhousebeforewe’vedone！’Memberthatchapin’Eric’or’St。Winifred’s’——Belialsomebody？I’mgoin’tobeBelial，"
　　saidStalky，withanensnaringgrin。
　　"RightO，"saidBeetle，"andI’llbeMammon。I’lllendmoneyatusury——that’swhattheydoatallschoolsaccordin’totheB。O。P。Pennyaweekonashillin’。That’llstartleHeffy’sweakintellect。YoucanbeLucifer，Turkey。"
　　"WhathaveIgottodo？"McTurkalsosmiled。
　　"Headconspiracies——andcabals——andboycotts。Goinforthat’stealthyintrigue’
　　thatHeffyisalwaystalkin’about。Comeon！"
　　Thehousereceivedthemontheirfallwiththemixtureofjestandsympathyalwaysextendedtoboysturnedoutoftheirstudy。Theknownaloofnessofthethreemadethemmoreinteresting。
　　"Quitelikeoldtimes，ain’tit？"Stalkyselectedalockerandflunginhisbooks。
　　"We’vecometosportwithyou，myyoungfriends，forawhile，becauseourbelovedhouse—masterhashoveusoutofourdiggin’s。"
　　"’Serveyoujollywellright，"saidOrrin，"youcribbers！"
　　"Thiswillneverdo，"saidStalky。"Wecan’tmaintainourgiddyprestige，Orrin，de—ah，ifyoumaketheseremarks。"
　　Theywrappedthemselveslovinglyabouttheboy，thrusthimtotheopenedwindow，anddrewdownthesashtothenapeofhisneck。Withanequalswiftnesstheytiedhisthumbstogetherbehindhisbackwithapieceoftwine，andthen，becausehekickedfuriously，removedhisshoes。ThereMr。Prouthappenedtofindhimafewminuteslater，guillotinedandhelpless，surroundedbyaconvulsedcrowdwhowouldnotassist。
　　Stalky，inanupperform—room，hadgatheredhimselfalliesagainstvengeance。Orrinpresentlytoreupattheheadofaboardingparty，andtheform—roomgrewonefogofdustthroughwhichboyswrestled，stamped，shouted，andyelled。Adeskwascarriedawayinthetumult，aknotofwarriorsreeledintoandsplitadoor—panel，awindowwasbroken，andagas—jetfell。Undercoveroftheconfusionthethreeescapedtothecorridor，whencetheycalledinandsentuppassers—bytothefray。
　　"Rescue，Kings！Kings！Kings！NumberTwelveform—room！Rescue，Prouts——Prouts！
　　Rescue，Macraes！Rescue，Hartopps！"
　　Thejuniorshurriedoutlikebeesaswarm，askingnoquestions，clatteredupthestaircase，andaddedthemselvestotheembroilment。
　　"Notbadforthefirstevening’swork，"saidStalky，rearranginghiscollar。"I
　　fancyProut’llbesomewhatannoyed。We’dbetterestablishanalibi。"SotheysatonMr。King’srailingstillprep。
　　"Yousee，"quothStalky，astheystrolleduptoprep。withtheignobleherd，"ifyougetthehouseswellmixedupan’scufflin’，it’sevenbettin’thatsomeasswillstartarealrow。Hullo，Orrin，youlookrathermetagrobolized。"
　　"Itwasallyourfault，youbeast！Youstartedit。We’vegottwohundredlinesapiece，andHeffy’slookin’foryou。JustseewhatthatswineMalpasdidtomyeye！"
　　"Ilikeyoursayingwestartedit。Whocalleduscribbers？Can’tyourinfantmindconnectcauseandeffectyet？Somedayyou’llfindoutthatitdon’tpaytojestwithNumberFive。"
　　"Where’sthatshillin’youoweme？"saidBeetlesuddenly。
　　StalkycouldnotseeProutbehindhim，butreturnedtheleadwithoutaquaver。"I
　　onlyowedyouninepence，youoldusurer。"
　　"You’veforgottentheinterest，"saidMcTurk。"AhalfpennyaweekperbobisBeetle’scharge。Youmustbebeastlyrich，Beetle。"
　　"Well，Beetlelentmesixpence。"Stalkycametoafullstopandmadeastoworkitoutonhisfingers。"Sixpenceonthenineteenth，didn’the？"
　　"Yes；hutyou’veforgottenyoupaidnointerestontheotherbob——theoneIlentyoubefore。"
　　"Butyoutookmywatchassecurity。"Thegamewasdevelopingitselfalmostautomatically。
　　"Nevermind。Paymemyinterest，orI’llchargeyouinterestoninterest。Remember，I’vegotyournote—of—hand！"shoutedBeetle。
　　"Youareacold—bloodedJew，"Stalkygroaned。
　　"Hush！"saidMcTurkveryloudlyindeed，andstartedasProutcameuponthem。
　　"Ididn’tseeyouinthatdisgracefulaffairintheform—roomjustnow，"saidhe。
　　"What，sir？We’rejustcomeupfromMr。King’s，"saidStalky。"Please，sir，whatamItodoaboutprep。？They’vebrokenthedeskyoutoldmetositat，andtheform’sjustswimmingwithink。"
　　"Findanotherseat——findanotherseat。D’youexpectmetodry—nurseyou？Iwishtoknowwhetheryouareinthehabitofadvancingmoneytoyourassociates，Beetle？"
　　"No，sir；notasageneralrule，sir。"
　　"Itisamostreprehensiblehabit。Ithoughtthatmyhouse，atleast，wouldbefreefromit。Evenwithmyopinionofyou，Ihardlythoughtitwasoneofyourvices。"
　　"There’snoharminlendingmoney，sir，isthere？"
　　"Iamnotgoingtobandywordswithyouonyournotionsofmorality。HowmuchhaveyoulentCorkran？"
　　"I——Idon’tquiteknow，"saidBeetle。Itisdifficulttoimproviseagoingconcernonthespuroftheminute。
　　"Youseemedcertainenoughjustnow。"
　　"Ithinkit’stwoandfourpence，"saidMcTurk，withaglanceofcoldscornatBeetle。InthehopelesslyinvolvedfinancesofthestudytherewasjustthatsumtowhichbothMcTurkandBeetlelaidclaim，astheirshareinthepledgingofStalky’ssecond—bestSundaytrousers。ButStalkyhadmaintainedfortwotermsthatthemoneywashis"commission"foreffectingthepawn；andhad，ofcourse，spentitonastudy"brew。"
　　"Understandthis，then。Youarenottocontinueyouroperationsasamoney—lender。
　　Twoandfour—pence，yousaid，Corkran？"
　　Stalkyhadsaidnothing，andcontinuedsotodo。
　　"Yourinfluenceforevilisquitestrongenoughwithoutbuyingaholdoveryourcompanions。"Hefeltinhispockets，and（ohjoy！）producedaflorinandfourpence。
　　"BringmewhatyoucallCorkran’snote—of—hand，andbethankfulthatIdonotcarrythematteranyfurther。Themoneyisstoppedfromyourpocket—money，Corkran。Thereceipttomystudy，atonce！"
　　Littletheycared！Twoandfourpenceinalumpisworthsixweeklysixpencesanyhungrydayoftheweek。
　　"Butwhatthedooceisanote—of—hand？"saidBeetle。"Ionlyreadaboutitinabook。"
　　"Nowyou’vejollywellgottomakeone，"saidStalky。
　　"Yes——butourinkdon’tturnblacktillnextday。S’posehe’llspotthat？"
　　"Nothim。He’stooworried，"saidMcTurk。"Signyournameonabitofimpot—paper，Stalky，andwrite，’IOUtwoandfourpence。’Aren’tyougratefultomeforgettingthatoutofProut？Stalky’dneverhavepaid……Why，youass！"
　　MechanicallyBeetlehadhandedoverthemoneytoStalkyastreasurerofthestudy。
　　Thecustomofyearsisnotlightlybroken。Inreturnforthedocument，ProutexpoundedtoBeetletheenormityofmoney—lending，which，likeeverythingexceptcompulsorycricket，corruptedhousesanddestroyedgoodfeelingamongboys，madeyouthcoldandcalculating，andopenedthedoortoallevil。Finally，didBeetleknowofanyothercases？Ifso，itwashisdutyasproofofrepentancetolethishouse—masterknow。Nonamesneedbementioned。
　　Beetledidnotknow——atleast，hewasnotquitesure，sir。Howcouldhegiveevidenceagainsthisfriends？Thehousemight，ofcourse——herehefeignedananguisheddelicacy——befullofit。Hewasnotinapositiontosay。Hehadnotmetwithanyopencompetitioninhistrade；butifMr。Proutconsidereditwasamatterthataffectedthehonorofthehouse（Mr。Proutdidconsideritpreciselythat），perhapsthehouse—prefectswouldbebetter……
　　Hespunitouttillhalf—waythroughprep。
　　"And，"saidtheamateurShylock，returningtotheform—roomanddroppingatStalky’sside，"ifhedon’tthinkthehouseisputridwithit，I’mseveiralDutch—men——that’sall……I’vebeentoMr。Prout’sstudy，sir。"Thistotheprep。—master。"HesaidI
　　couldsitwhereIliked，sir……Oh，heisjusttricklin’withemotion……Yes，sir，I’monlyaskin’Corkrantoletmehaveadipinhisink。"
　　Afterprayers，ontheroadtothedormitories，HarrisonandCraye，seniorhouse—prefects，zealousintheiroffice，waylaidthemwithgreatanger。"WhathaveyoubeendoingtoHeffythistime，Beetle？He’sbeenjawingusalltheevening。"
　　"WhathasHisSereneTransparencybeenvexin’youfor？"saidMcTurk。
　　"AboutBeetlelendin’moneytoStalky，"beganHarrison；"andthenBeetlewentandtoldhimthattherewasanyamountofmoney—lendin’inthehouse。"
　　"No，youdon’t，"saidBeetle，sittingonaboot—basket。"That’sjustwhatIdidn’ttellhim。Ispokethegiddytruth。Heaskedmeiftherewasmuchofitinthehouse；
　　andIsaidIdidn’tknow。"
　　"Hethinksyou’reasetoffilthyShylocks，"saidMcTurk。"It’sjustaswellforyouhedon’tthinkyou’reburglars。Youknowhenevergetsanotionoutofhisconscientiousoldhead。"
　　"Well—meanin’man。Diditallforthebest。"Stalkycurledgracefullyroundthestair—rail。"Headinadrain—pipe。Fullconfessionintheleftboot。Badforthehonorofthehouse——very。"
　　"Shutup，"saidHarrison。"Youchapsalwaysbehaveasifyouwerejawin’uswhenwecometojawyou。"
　　"You’realottoocheeky，"saidCraye。
　　"Idon’tquiteseewherethecheekcomesin，exceptonyourpart，ininterferin’
　　withaprivatematterbetweenmean’BeetleafterithasbeensettledbyProut。"
　　Stalkywinkedcheerfullyattheothers。
　　"That’stheworstofcleverlittleswots，"saidMcTurk，addressingthegas。"Theygetmadeprefectsbeforetheyhaveanytact，andthentheyannoychapswhocouldreallyhelp’emtolookafterthehonorofthehouse。"
　　"Wewon’ttroubleyoutodothat！"saidCrayehotly。
　　"Thenwhatareyoubadgerin’usfor？"saidBeetle。"Onyourownshowing，you’vebeensobeastlyslack，lookingafterthehouse，thatProutbelievesit’sanestofmoney—lenders。I’vetoldhimthatI’velentmoneytoStalky，andnooneelse。I
　　don’tknowwhetherhebelievesme，butthatfinishesmycase。Therestisyourbusiness。"
　　"Nowwefindout，"Stalky’svoicerose，"thatthereisapparentlyanorganizedconspiracythroughoutthehouse。Foraughtweknow，thefagsmaybelendin’andborrowin’farbeyondtheirmeans。Wearen’tresponsibleforit。We’reonlytherankandfile。"
　　"Areyousurprisedwedon’twishtoassociatewiththehouse？"saidMcTurk，withdignity。"We’vekeptourselvestoourselvesinourstudytillwewereturnedout，andnowwefindourselvesletinforforthissortofthing。It’ssimplydisgraceful。"
　　"Thenyouhectorandbullyragusonthestairs，"saidStalky，"aboutmattersthatareyourbusinessentirely。Youknowwearen’tprefects。"
　　"Youthreateneduswithaprefect’slickin’justnow，"saidBeetle，boldlyinventingashesawthebewildermentinthefacesoftheenemy。"Andifyouexpectyou’llgainanythingfromusbyyourwayofapproachin’us，you’rejollywellmistaken。That’sall。Good—night。"
　　Theyclatteredupstairs，injuredvirtueoneveryinchoftheirbacks。
　　"But——butwhatthedickenshavewedone？"saidHarrison，amazedly，toCraye。
　　"Idon’tknow。Only——italwayshappensthatwaywhenonehasanythingtodowiththem。They’resobeastlyplausible。"
　　AndMr。Proutcalledthegoodboysintohisstudyanew，andsucceededinsinkingbothhisandtheirinnocentmindstenfathomsdeeperinblindfoldedbedazement。Hespokeofstepsandmeasures，oftoneandloyaltyinthehouseandtothehouse，andurgedthemtotakeupthemattertactfully。
　　SotheydemandedofBeetlewhetherhehadanyconnectionwithanyotherestablishment。Beetlepromptlywenttohishouse—master，andwishedtoknowbywhatrightHarrisonandCrayehadreopenedamatteralreadysettledbetweenhimandhishouse—master。IninjuredinnocencenoboyexcelledBeetle。
　　ThenitoccurredtoProutthathemighthavebeenunfairtotheculprit，whohadnotstriventodenyorpalliatehisoffense。HesentforHarrisonandCraye，reprehendingthemverygentlyforthetonetheyhadadoptedtoarepentantsinner，andwhentheyreturnedtotheirstudy，theyusedthelanguageofdespair。Theythenmadeheadlonginquisitionthroughthehouse，drivingthefagstotheedgeofhysterics，andunearthing，withtremendouspompandparade，thenaturalandinevitablesystemofsmallloansthatprevailsamongsmallboys。
　　"Yousee，Harrison，ThorntonminorlentmeapennylastSaturday，becauseIwasfinedforbreakingthewindow；andIspentitatKeyte’s。Ididn’tknowtherewasanyharminit。AndWraymajorborrowedtwopencefrommewhenmyunclesentmeapost—officeorder——IcasheditatKeyte’s——forfivebob；buthe’llpaymebackbeforetheholidays。Wedidn’tknowtherewasanythingwronginit。"
　　Theywadedthroughhoursofthiskindofthing，butfoundnousury，oranythingapproachingtoBeetle’sgorgeousscaleofinterest。Theseniors——fortheschoolhadnotraditionofdeferencetoprefectsoutsidecompulsorygames——toldthemsuccinctlytogoabouttheirbusiness。Theywouldnotgiveevidenceonanyterms。Harrisonwasoneidiot，andCrayewasanother；butthegreatestofall，theysaid，wastheirhouse—master。
　　Whenahouseisthoroughlyupset，howevergooditsconscience，itbreaksintoknotsandcoteries——smallgatheringsinthetwilight，box—roomcommittees，andgroupsinthecorridor。Andwhenfromgrouptogroup，withanimmenseaffectationofsecrecy，threewickedboyssteal，crying"_Cave’_"whenthereisnoneedofcaution，andwhispering"Don’ttell！"ontheheelsoftrumperyconfidencesthatinstantinvented，averyfineairofplotandintriguecanbewovenroundsuchahouse。
　　Attheendofafewdays，itdawnedonProutthathemovedinanatmosphereofperpetualambush。Mysterieshedgedhimonallsides，warningsranbeforehisheavyfeet，andcountersignsweremutteredbehindhisattentiveback。McTurkandStalkyinventedmanyabsurdandidlephrases——catch—wordsthatsweptthroughthehouseasfirethroughstubble。Itwasararejest，andtheonlypracticaloutcomeoftheUsuryCommission，thatoneboyshouldsaytoafriend，withawfulgravity，"Doyouthinkthere’smuchofitgoingoninthehouse？"Theotherwouldreply，"Well，onecan’tbetoocareful，youknow。"Theeffectonahouse—masterofhumaneconscienceandgoodintentmaybeimagined。Again，amanwhohassincerelydevotedhimselftogainingtheesteemofhischargesdoesnotliketohearhimselfdescribed，evenatadistance，as"PopularityProut"byadarkandscowlingCeltwithafluenttongue。A
　　rumorthatstories——unusualstories——aretoldintheform—rooms，betweenthelights，byaboywhodoesnotcommandhisconfidence，agitatessuchaman；andevenelaborateandtenderpoliteness——forthecourtesywise—grownmenoffertoabewilderedchildwasthecourtesythatStalkywrappedroundProut——restoresnothispeaceofmind。
　　"Thetoneofthehouseseemschanged——changedfortheworse，"saidProuttoHarrisonandCraye。"Haveyounoticedit？。Idon’tforaninstantimpute——"
　　Heneverimputedanything；but，ontheotherhand，heneverdidanythingelse，and，withthebestintentionsintheworld，hehadreducedthehouse—prefectstoastateasnearlyborderingonnervousirritationashealthyboyscanknow。Worstofall，theybeganattimestowonderwhetherStalky&Co。hadnotsometruthintheiroften—repeatedassertionsthatProutwasagloomyass。
　　"Asyouknow，Iamnotthekindofmanwhoputshimselfoutforeverylittlethinghehears。Ibelieveinlettingthehouseworkouttheirownsalvation——withalightguidinghandonthereins，ofcourse。Butthereisaperceptiblelackofreverence———alowertoneinmattersthattouchthehonorofthehouse，asortofhardness。"
　　Oh，Proutheisanobleman，anobleman，anobleman！
　　OurHeffyisanobleman——
　　Hedoesanawfullot，BecausehispopularityOh，pop—u—pop—u—larity——
　　HisgiddypopularityWouldsufferdidhenot！
　　Thestudydoorstoodajar；andthesong，bornebytwentyclearvoices，camefaintfromaform—room。Thefagsratherlikedthetune；thewordswereBeetle’s。
　　"That’sathingnosensiblemanobjectsto，"saidProutwithalop—sidedsmile；"butyouknowstrawsshowwhichwaythewindblows。Canyoutraceittoanydirectinfluence？Iamspeakingtoyounowasheadsofthehouse。"
　　"Thereisn’ttheleastdoubtofit，"saidHarrisonangrily。"Iknowwhatyoumean，sir。ItallbeganwhenNumberFivestudycametotheform—rooms。There’snouseblinkin’it，Craye。Youknowthat，too。"
　　"Theymakethingsratherdifficultforus，sometimes，"saidCraye。"It’smoretheirmannerthananythingelse，thatHarrisonmeans。"
　　"Dotheyhamperyouinthedischargeofyourduties，then？"
　　"Well，no，sir。Theyonlylookonandgrin——andturnuptheirnosesgenerally。"
　　"Ah，"saidProutsympathetically。
　　"Ithink，sir，"saidCraye，plungingintothebusinessboldly，"itwouldbeagreatdealbetterfftheyworesentbacktotheirstudy——betterforthehouse。Theyareratheroldtobeknockingabouttheform—rooms。"
　　"TheyareyoungerthanOrrin，orFlint，andadozenothersthatIcanthinkof。"
　　"Yes，sir；butthat’sdifferent，somehow。They’reratherinfluential。Theyhaveaknackofupsettin’thingsinaquietwaythatonecan’ttakeholdof。Atleast，ifonedoes——"
　　"Andyouthinktheywouldbebetterintheirownstudyagain？"
　　EmphaticallyHarrisonandCrayewereofthatopinion。AsHarrisonsaidtoCraye，afterwards，"They’veweakenedourauthority。They’retoobigtolick；they’vemadeanexhibitionofusoverthisusurybusiness，andwe’realaughing—stocktotherestoftheschool。I’mgoingup（forSandhurst，understood）nextterm。They’vemanagedtoknockmeoutofhalfmyworkalreadywiththeir——theirlunacy。Iftheygobacktotheirstudywemayhavealittlepeace。"
　　"Hullo，Harrison。"McTurkambledroundthecorner，witharovingeyeonallpossiblehorizons。"Bearin’up，oldman？That’sright。Liveitdown！Liveitdown！"
　　"Whatd’youmean？"
　　"Youlookalittlepensive，"saidMcTurk。"Exhaustin’jobsuperintendin’thehonorofthehouse，ain’tit？Bytheway，howareyouoffformares’—nests？"
　　"Lookhere，"saidHarrison，hopingforinstantreward。"We’verecommendedProuttoletyougobacktoyourstudy。"
　　"Thedooceyouhave！Andwhounderthesunare_you_tointerferebetweenusandourhousemaster？。UponmySam，youtwotryusveryhard——youdo，indeed。Ofcoursewedon’tknowhowfaryouabuseyourpositiontoprejudiceuswithMr。Prout；butwhenyoudeliberatelystopmetotellmeyou’vebeenmakin’arrangementsbehindourback——insecret——withProut——I——Idon’tknowreallywhatweoughttodo。"
　　"That’sbeastlyunfair！"criedCraye。
　　"Itis。"McTurkhadadoptedaghastlysolemnitythatsatwellonhislong，leanface。"Hangitall！Aprefect’sonethingandanusher’sanother；butyouseemtocombine’em。Yourecommendthis——yourecommendthat！_You_sayhowandwhenwegobacktoourstudy！"
　　"But——but——wethoughtyou’dlikeit，Turkey。Wedid，indeed。Youknowyou’llbeeversomuchmorecomfortablethere。"Harrison’svoicewasalmosttearful。
　　McTurkturnedawayasthoughtohidehisemotions。
　　"They’rebroke！"HehuntedupStalkyandBeetleinabox—room。"They’resick！
　　They’vebeenbeggin’HeffytoletusgobacktoNumberFive。Poordevils！Poorlittledevils！"
　　"It’stheolivebranch，"wasStalky’scomment。"It’sthegiddywhiteflag，bygum！
　　Cometothinkofit，we_have_metagrobolized’em。"
　　Justafterteathatday，Mr。Proutsentforthemtosaythatiftheychosetoruintheirfuturebyneglectingtheirwork，itwasentirelytheirownaffair。Hewishedthem，however，tounderstandthattheirpresenceintheform—roomscouldnotbetoleratedonehourlonger。Hepersonallydidnotcaretothinkofthetimehemustspendineliminatingthetracesoftheirevilinfluences。HowfarBeetlehadpanderedtothebasersideofyouthfulimaginationhewouldascertainlater；andBeetlemightbesurethatifMr。Proutcameacrossanysoul—corruptingconsequences——
　　"Consequencesofwhat，sir？"saidBeetle，genuinelybewilderedthistime；andMcTurkquietlykickedhimontheankleforbeing"fetched"byProut。Beetle，thehouse—mastercontinued，knewverywellwhatwasintended。Evilandbriefhadbeentheircareersunderhiseye；andasonestanding_in_loco_parentis_totheiryetuncontaminatedassociates，hewasboundtotakehisprecautions。Thereturnofthestudykeyclosedthesermon。
　　"Butwhatwasthebaser—side—of—imaginationbusiness？"saidBeetleonthestairs。
　　"Ineverknewsuchanassasyouareforjustifyin’yourself，"saidMcTurk。"IhopeIjollywellskinnedyourankle。Whydoyouletyourselfbedrawnbyeverybody？"
　　"Drawsbeblowed！ImusthavetickledhimupinsomewayIdidn’tknowabout。IfI’dhadanotionofthatbefore，ofcourseIcouldhaverubbeditinbetter。It’stoolatenow。Whatapity！’Baserside。’What_was_hedrivin’at？"
　　"Nevermind，"saidStalky。"Iknewwecouldmakeitahappylittlehouse。Isaidso，remember——butIswearIdidn’tthinkwe’ddoitsosoon。"
　　"No，"saidProutmostfirmlyinCommon—room。"ImaintainthatGillettiswrong。
　　True，Iletthemreturntotheirstudy。"
　　"Withyourknownviewsoncribbing，too？"purredlittleHartopp。"Whatanimmoralcompromise！"
　　"Onemoment，"saidtheReverendJohn。"I——we——allofushaveexercisedanabsolutelyheart—breakingdiscretionforthelasttendays。Nowwewanttoknow。Confess——haveyouknownahappyminutesince——"
　　"Asregardsmyhouse，Ihavenot，"saidProut。"Butyouareentirelywronginyourestimateofthoseboys。Injusticetotheothers——inself—defence——"
　　"Ha！Isaiditwouldcometothat，"murmuredtheReverendJohn。
　　"——Iwasforcedtosendthemback。Theirmoralinfluencewasunspeakable——simplyunspeakable。"
　　Andbitbybithetoldhistale，beginningwithBeetle’susury，andendingwiththehouse—prefects’appeal。
　　"Beetleinthe_ro’le_ofShylockisnewtome，"saidKing，withtwitchinglips。"I
　　heardrumorsofit——"
　　"Before？"saidProut。
　　"No，afteryouhaddealtwiththem；butIwascarefulnottoinquire。Ineverinterferewith——"
　　"Imyself，"saidHartopp，"wouldcheerfullygivehimfiveshillingsifhecouldworkoutonesimplesumincompoundinterestwithoutthreegrosserrors。"
　　"Why——why——why！"Mason，themathematicalmaster，stuttered，afiercejoyonhisface，"you’vebeenhad——preciselythesameasme！"
　　"Andsoyouheldaninquiry？"LittleHartopp’svoicedrownedMason’sereProutcaughttheimportofthesentence。
　　"Theboyhimselfhintedattheexistenceofadealofitinthehouse，"saidProut。
　　"Heispastmasterinthatline，"saidthechaplain。"But，asregardsthehonorofthehouse——"
　　"Theylowereditinaweek。Ihavestriventobuilditupforyears。Myownhouse—prefects——andboysdonotwillinglycomplainofeachother——besoughtmetogetridofthem。Yousayyouhavetheirconfidence，Gillett：theymaytellyouanothertale。AsfarasIamconcerned，theymaygotothedevilintheirownway。I’msickandtiredofthem，"saidProutbitterly。
　　ButitwastheReverendJohn，withasmilingcountenance，whowenttothedeviljustafterNumberFivehadclearedawayaverypleasantlittlebrew（itcostthemtwoandfourpence）andwassettlingdowntoprep。
　　"Comein，Padre，comein，"saidStalky，thrustingforwardthebestchair。"We’veonlymetyouofficial—liketheselasttendays。"
　　"Youwereundersentence，"saidtheReverendJohn。"Idonotconsortwithmalefactors。"
　　"Ah，butwe’rerestoredagain，"saidMcTurk。"Mr。Prouthasrelented。"
　　"Withoutastainonourcharacters，"saidBeetle。"Itwasapainfulepisode，Padre，mostpainful。"
　　"Now，considerforawhile，andperpend，_mes_enfants_。ItisaboutyourcharactersthatI’vecalledto—night。Inthelanguageoftheschools，whatthedooce_have_youbeenuptoinMr。Prout’shouse？Itisn’tanythingtolaughover。Hesaysthatyousoloweredthetoneofthehousehehadtopackyoubacktoyourstudies。Isthattrue？"
　　"Everywordofit，Padre。"
　　"Don’tbeflippant，Turkey。Listentome。I’vetoldyouveryoftenthatnoboysintheschoolhaveagreaterinfluenceforgoodorevilthanyouhave。YouknowIdon’ttalkaboutethicsandmoralcodes，becauseIdon’tbelievethattheyoungofthehumananimalrealizeswhattheymeanforsomeyearstocome。Allthesame，Idon’twanttothinkyou’vebeenpervertingthejuniors。Don’tinterrupt，Beetle。Listentome。Mr。Prouthasanotionthatyouhavebeencorruptingyourassociatessomehoworother。"
　　"Mr。Prouthassomanynotions，Padre，"saidBeetlewearily。"Whichoneisthis？"
　　"Well，hetellsmethatheheardyoutellingastoryinthetwilightintheform—room，inawhisper。AndOrrinsaid，justasheopenedthedoor，’Shutup，Beetle；it’stoobeastly。’Nowthen？"
　　"YourememberMrs。Oliphant’s’BeleagueredCity’thatyoulentmelastterm？"said。
　　Beetle。
　　ThePadrenodded。
　　"Igotthenotionoutofthat。Only，insteadofacity，ImadeittheColl。inafog——besiegedbyghostsofdeadboys，whohauledchapsoutoftheirbedsinthedormitory。Allthenamesarequitereal。Youtellitinawhisper，youknowwiththenames。Orrindidn’tlikeitonelittlebit。Noneof’emhaveeverletmefinishit。
　　Itgetsjustawfulattheendpart。"
　　"Butwhyintheworlddidn’tyouexplaintoMr。Prout，insteadofleavinghimundertheimpression——？"
　　"PadreSahib，"saidMcTurk，"itisn’ttheleastgoodexplainin’toMr。Prout。Ifhehasn’toneimpression，he’sboundtohaveanother。"
　　"He’ddoitwiththebesto’motives。He’s_in_loco_parentis_，"purredStalky。
　　"Youyoungdemons！"theReverendJohnreplied。"AndamItounderstandthatthe———theusurybusinesswasanotherofyourhouse—master’simpressions？"
　　"Well——wehelpedalittleinthat，"saidStalky。"IdidoweBeetletwoandfourpenceatleast，BeetlesaysIdid，butIneverintendedtopayhim。Thenwestartedabitofanargumentonthestairs，and——andMr。Proutdroppedintoitaccidental。Thatwashowitwas，Padre。HepaidmecashdownlikeagiddyDook（stoppeditoutofmypocket—moneyjustthesame），andBeetlegavehimmynote—of—handallcorrect。I
　　don’tknowwhathappenedafterthat。"
　　"Iwastootruthful，"saidBeetle。"Ialwaysam。Yousee，hewasunderanimpression，Padre，andIsupposeIoughttohavecorrectedthatimpression；butofcourseIcouldn’tbe_quite_certainthathishousewasn’tgivenovertomoney—lendin’，couldI？Ithoughtthehouse—prefectsmightknowmoreaboutitthanI
　　did。Theyoughtto。They’regiddypalladiumsofpublicschools。"
　　"Theydid，too——bythetimethey’dfinished，"saidMcTurk。"Asniceapairofconscientious，well—meanin’，upright，pure—souledboysasyou’deverwanttomeet，Padre。Theyturnedthehouseupsidedown——HarrisonandCraye———withthebestmotivesintheworld。"
　　"Theysaidso。’Theysaiditveryloudandclear。Theywentandshoutedinourear，’"saidStalky。
　　"Myownprivateimpressionisthatallthreeofyouwillinfalliblybehanged，"saidtheReverendJohn。
　　"Why，wedidn’tdoanything，"McTurkreplied。"ItwasallMr。Prout。DidyoueverreadabookaboutJapanesewrestlers？Myuncle———he’sintheNavy——gavemeabeautyonce。"
　　"Don’ttrytochangethesubject，Turkey。"
　　"I’mnot，sir。I’mgivin’anillustration——sameasasermon。Thesewrestler—chapshavegotsortsortoftrickthatletstheotherchapdoallthework。Thantheygivealittlewriggle，andheupsetshimself。It’scalled_shibbuwichee_or_tokonoma_，orsomethin’。Mr。Prout’sa_shibbuwicher_。Itisn’tourfault。"
　　"Didyousupposewewentroundcorruptin’themindsofthefags？"saidBeetle。"Theyhaven’tany，tobeginwith；andiftheyhad，they’recorruptedlongago。I’vebeenafag，Padre。"
　　"Well，IfanciedIknewthenormalrangeofyouriniquities；hutifyoutakesomuchtroubletopileupcircumstantialevidenceagainstyourselves，youcan’tblameanyoneif——"
　　"Wedon’tblameanyone，Padre。Wehaven’tsaidawordagainstMr。Prout，havewe？"
　　Stalkylookedattheothers。"Welovehim。Hehasn’tanotionhowwelovehim。"
　　"H’m！Youdissembleyourloveverywell。Haveyoueverthoughtwhogotyouturnedoutofyourstudyinthefirstplace？"
　　"ItwasMr。Proutturnedusout，"saidStalky，withsignificance。
　　"Well，Iwasthatman。Ididn’tmeanit；butsomewordsofmine，I’mafraid，gaveMr。Prouttheimpression——"
　　NumberFivelaughedaloud。
　　"Youseeit’sjustthesamethingwithyou，Padre，"saidMcTurk。"Heisquicktogetanimpression，ain’the？Butyoumustn’tthinkwedon’tlovehim，’causewedo。
　　Thereisn’tanounceofviceabouthim。"
　　Adoubleknockfellonthedoor。
　　"TheHeadtoseeNumberFivestudyinhisstudyatonce，"saidthevoiceofFoxy，theschoolsergeant。
　　"Whew！"saidtheReverendJohn。"Itseemstomethatthereisagreatdealoftroublecomingforsomepeople。"
　　"Myword！Mr。Prout’sgoneandtoldtheHead，"saidStalky。"He’samoraldouble—ender。Notfair，luggin’theHeadintoahouse—row。"
　　"Ishouldrecommendacopy—bookona——h’m——safeandcertainpart，"saidtheReverendJohndisinterestedly。
　　"Huh！Helicksacrosstheshoulders，an’itwouldslamlikeabeastlybarn—door，"
　　saidBeetle。"Good—night，Padre。We’reinforit。"
　　OncemoretheystoodinthepresenceoftheHead——Belial，Mammon，andLucifer。Buttheyhadtodealwithamanmoresubtlethanthemall。Mr。Prouthadtalkedtohim，heavilyandsadly，forhalfanhour；andtheHeadhadseenallthatwashiddenfromthehouse—master。
　　"You’vebeenbotheringMr。Prout，"hesaidpensively。"House—mastersaren’theretobebotheredbyboysmorethanisnecessary。Idon’tlikebeingbotheredbythesethings。Youarebothering_me_。Thatisaveryseriousoffense。Youseeit？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"Well，now，Ipurposetobotheryou，onpersonalandprivategrounds，becauseyouhavebrokenintomytime。Youaremuchtoobigtolick，soIsupposeIshallhavetomarkmydispleasureinsomeotherway。Say，athousandlinesapiece，aweek’sgating，andafewthingsofthatkind。Muchtoobigtolick，aren’tyou？"
　　"Oh，no，sir，"saidStalkycheerfully；foraweek’sgatinginthesummertermisserious。
　　"Ve—rygood。Thenwewilldowhatwecan。Iwishyouwouldn’tbotherme。"
　　Itwasafair，sustained，equablestroke，withalittledrawtoit，hutwhattheyfeltmostwashisunfairnessinstoppingtotalkbetweenexecutions。Thus："Amongthe——lowerclassesthiswouldlaymeopentoachargeof——assault。Youshouldbemoregratefulforyour——privilegesthanyouare。Thereisalimit——onefindsitbyexperience，Beetle——beyondwhichitisneversafetopursueprivatevendettas，because——don’tmove——soonerorlateronecomes——intocollisionwiththe——higherauthority，whohasstudiedtheanimal。_Et_ego_——McTurk，please—_in_Arcadia_vixi_。
　　There’sacertainflagrantinjusticeaboutthisthatoughttoappealto——yourtemperament。Andthat’sall！Youwilltellyourhouse—masterthatyouhavebeenformallycanedbyme。"
　　"Myword！"saidMcTurk，wrigglinghisshoulder—bladesalldownthecorridor。"Thatwasbusiness！TheProoshanBateshasaninfernalstraighteye。"
　　"Wasn’titwilyofmetoaskforthelickin’，"saidStalky，"insteadofthoseimpots？"
　　"Rot！Wewereinforitfromthefirst。Iknewthelookofhisoldeye，"saidBeetle。"Iwaswithinaninchofblubbing。"
　　"Well，Ididn’texactlysmile，"Stalkyconfessed。