"Let’sgodowntothelavatoryandhavealookatthedamage。Oneofuscanholdtheglassandt’otherscansquint。"
　　Theyproceededontheselinesforsometenminutes。Thewaleswereveryredandverylevel。Therewasnotapennytochoosebetweenanyofthemforthoroughness，efficiency，andacertainclarityofoutlinethatstampstheworkoftheartist。
　　"Whatareyoudoingdownthere？"Mr。Proutwasattheheadofthelavatorystairs，attractedbythenoiseofsplashing。
　　"We’veonlybeencanedbytheHead，sir，andwe’rewashingofftheblood。TheHeadsaidweweretotellyou。Wewerecomingtoreportourselvesinaminute，sir。
　　（_Sotto_voce_。）That’sascoreforHeffy！"
　　"Well，hedeservestoscoresomething，poordevil，"saidMcTurk，puttingonhisshirt。"We’vesweatedastoneandahalfoffhimsincewebegan。"
　　"Butlookhere，whyaren’twewrathywiththeHead？Hesaiditwasaflagrantinjustice。Soitis！"saidBeetle。
　　"Dearman，"saidMcTurk，andvouchsafednofurtheranswer。
　　ItwasStalkywholaughedtillhehadtoholdonbytheedgeofabasin。
　　"You_are_afunnyass！What’sthatfor？"saidBeetle。
　　"I’m——I’mthinkingoftheflagrantinjusticeofit！"
　　THEMORALREFORMERS。
　　Therewasnodisguisingthedefeat。ThevictorywastoProut，buttheygrudgeditnot。IfhehadbrokentherulesofthegamebycallingintheHead，theyhadhadagoodrunfortheirmoney。
　　TheReverendJohnsoughttheearliestopportunityoftalkingthingsover。MembersofabachelorCommon—room，ofaschoolwheremasters’studiesaredesignedlydottedamongstudiesandform—rooms，can，iftheychoose，seeagreatdealoftheircharges。NumberFivehadspentsomecautiousyearsintestingtheReverendJohn。Hewasemphaticallyagentleman。Heknockedatastudydoorbeforeentering；hecomportedhimselfasavisitorandnotastrayedlictor；heneverprosed，andhenevercarriedoverintoofficiallifetheconfidencesofidlehours。Proutwaseveranunmitigatednuisance；Kingcamesolelyasanavengerofblood；evenlittleHartopp，talkingnaturalhistory，seldomforgothisoffice；buttheReverendJohnwasaguestdesiredandbelovedbyNumberFive。
　　Beholdhim，then，intheironlyarm—chair，abentbriarbetweenhisteeth，chindowninthreefoldsonhisclericalcollar，andblowinglikeanamiablewhale，whileNumberFivediscoursedoflifeasitappearedtothem，andspeciallyofthatlastinterviewwiththeHead——inthematterofusury。
　　"Onelickingonceaweekwoulddoyouanimmenseamountofgood，"hesaid，twinklingandshakingallover；"and，asyousay，youwereentirelyintheright。"
　　"Ra—ather，Padre！Wecouldhaveproveditifhe’dletustalk，"saidStalky；"buthedidn’t。TheHead’sadownybird。"
　　"Heunderstandsyouperfectly。Ho！ho！Well，youworkedhardenoughforit。"
　　"Buthe’sawfullyfair。Hedoesn’tlickachapinthemorningan’preachathimintheafternoon，"saidBeetle。
　　"Hecan’t；heain’tinOrders，thankgoodness，"saidMcTurk。NumberFiveheldtheverystrongestviewsonclericalhead—masters，andwereeverreadytomeettheirpastorinargument。
　　"AlmostallotherschoolshaveclericalHeads，"saidtheReverendJohngently。
　　"Itisn’tfaironthechaps，"Stalkyreplied。"Makes’emsulky。Ofcourseit’sdifferentwithyou，sir。Youbelongtotheschool——sameaswedo。Imeanordinaryclergymen。"
　　"Well，Iamamostordinaryclergyman；andMr。Hartopp’sinOrders，too。"
　　"Ye——es，buthetook’emafterhecametotheColl。Wesawhimgoupforhisexam。
　　That’sallright，"saidBeetle。"ButjustthinkiftheHeadwentandgotordained！"
　　"Whatwouldhappen，Beetle？"
　　"Oh，theColl。’udgotopiecesinayear，sir。There’snodoubto’that。"
　　"Howd’youknow？"TheReverendJohnwassmiling。
　　"We’vebeenherenearlysixyearsnow。TherearepreciousfewthingsabouttheColl。
　　wedon’tknow，"Stalkyreplied。"Why，evenyoucamethetermafterIdid，sir。I
　　rememberyouraskingournamesinformyourfirstlesson。Mr。King，Mr。Prout，andtheHead，ofcourse，aretheonlymastersseniortous——inthatway。"
　　"Yes，we’vechangedagooddeal——inCommon—room。"
　　"Huh！"saidBeetlewithagrunt。"Theycamehere，an’theywentawaytogetmarried。
　　Jollygoodriddance，too！"
　　"Doesn’tourBeetleholdwithmatrimony？"
　　"No，Padre；don’tmakefunofme。I’vemetchapsintheholidayswho’vegotmarriedhouse—masters。It’sperfectlyawful！Theyhavebabiesandteethingandmeaslesandallthatsortofthingrightbung_in_theschool；andthemasters’wivesgivetea—parties——tea—parties，Padre！——andaskthechapstobreakfast。"
　　"Thatdon’tmattersomuch，"saidStalky。"Butthehouse—masterslettheirhousesalone，andtheyleaveeverythingtotheprefects。Why，inoneschool，achaptoldme，therewerebigbaizedoorsandapassageaboutamilelongbetweenthehouseandthemaster’shouse。Theycoulddojustwhattheypleased。"
　　"Satanrebukingsinwithavengeance。"
　　"Oh，larksarerightenough；butyouknowwhatwemean，Padre。Afterabititgetsworsean’worse。Thenthere’sabigbust—upandarowthatgetsintothepapers，andalotofchapsareexpelled，youknow。"
　　"Alwaysthewrongun’s；don’tforgetthat。Haveacupofcocoa，Padre？"saidMcTurkwiththekettle。
　　"No，thanks；I’msmoking。Alwaysthewrong’uns？Pro—ceed，myStalky。"
　　"Andthen"——Stalkywarmedtothework——"everybodysays，’Who’dha’thoughtit？
　　Shock—in’boys！Wickedlittlekids！’Itallcomesofhavin’marriedhouse—masters，_I_think。"
　　"ADanielcometojudgment。"
　　"Butitdoes，"McTurkinterrupted。"I’vemetchapsintheholidays，an’they’vetoldmethesamething。Itlooksawfullyprettyforone’speopletosee——aniceseparatehousewithaniceladyincharge，an’allthat。Butitisn’t。Ittakesthehouse—mastersofftheirwork，anditgivestheprefectsaheaptoomuchpower，an’——an’——itrotsupeverything。Yousee，itisn’tasifwewerejustanordinaryschool。Wetakecrammers’rejectionsaswellasgoodlittleboyslikeStalky。We’vegottodothattomakeourname，ofcourse，andweget’emintoSandhurstsomehoworother，don’twe？"
　　"True，OTurk。Likeabookthoutalkest，Turkey。"
　　"Andsowewantratherdifferentmasters，don’tyouthinkso，tootherplaces？Wearen’tliketherestoftheschools。"
　　"Itleadstoallsortsofbullyin’，too，achaptoldme，"saidBeetle。
　　"Well，you_do_needmostofasingleman’stime，Imustsay。"TheReverendJohnconsideredhishostscritically。"Butdoyouneverfeelthattheworld——theCommon—room——istoomuchwithyousometimes？"
　　"Notexactly——insummer，anyhow。"Stalky’seyerovedcontentedlytothewindow。"Ourboundsareprettybig，too，andtheyleaveustoourselvesagooddeal。"
　　"Forexample，hereamIsittinginyourstudy，verymuchinyourway，eh？"
　　"Indeedyouaren’t，Padre。Sitdown。Don’tgo，sir。Youknowwe’regladwheneveryoucome。"
　　Therewasnodoubtingthesincerityofthevoices。TheReverendJohnflushedalittlewithpleasureandrefilledhisbriar。
　　"AndwegenerallyknowwheretheCommon—roomare，"saidBeetletriumphantly。"Didn’tyoucomethroughourlowerdormitorieslastnightafterten，sir？"
　　"Iwenttosmokeapipewithyourhouse—master。No，Ididn’tgivehimanyimpressions。Itookashortcutthroughyourdormitories。"
　　"Isniffedawhiffof’baccy，thismornin’。YoursisstrongerthanMr。Prout’s。_I_
　　knew，"saidBeetle，wagginghishead。
　　"Goodheavens！"saidtheReverendJohnabsently。ItwassomeyearsbeforeBeetleperceivedthatthiswasratheratributetoinnocencethanobservation。Thelong，light，blindlessdormitories，devoidofinnerdoors，werecrossedatallhoursofthenightbymastersvisitingoneanother；forbachelorssituplaterthanmarriedfolk。Beetlehadneverdreamedthattheremightbeapurposeinthissteadypolicing。
　　"Talkingaboutbullying，"theReverendJohnresumed，"youallcaughtitprettyhotwhenyouwerefags，didn’tyou？"
　　"Well，wemusthavebeenratherawfullittlebeasts，"saidBeetle，lookingserenelyoverthegulfbetweenelevenandsixteen。"MyHat，whatbulliestheywerethen——
　　Fairburn，’Gobby’Maunsell，andallthatgang！"
　　"’Memberwhen’Gobby’calledustheThreeBlindMice，andwehadtogetuponthelockersandsingwhilehebuzzedinkpotsatus？"saidStalky。"They_were_bulliesifyoulike！"
　　"Butthereisn’tanyofitnow，"saidMcTurksoothingly。
　　"That’swhereyoumakeamistake。We’reallinclinedtosaythateverythingisallrightaslongwearen’tourselveshurt。Isometimeswonderifitisextinct——
　　bullying。"
　　"Fagsbullyeachotherhorrid；buttheupperformsaresupposedtobeswottin’forexams。They’vegotsomethingelsetothinkabout，"saidBeetle。
　　"Why？Whatdoyouthink？"Stalkywaswatchingthechaplain’sface。
　　"Ihavemydoubts。"Then，explosively，"Onmyword，forthreemoderatelyintelligentboysyouaren’tveryobservant。Isupposeyouweretoobusymakingthingswarmforyourhouse—mastertoseewhatlayunderyournoseswhenyouwereintheform—roomslastweek？"
　　"What，sir？I——Iswearwedidn’tseeanything，"saidBeetle。
　　"ThenI’dadviseyoutolook。Whenalittlechapiswhimperinginacornerandwearshisclotheslikerags，andneverdoesanywork，andisnotoriouslythedirtiestlittle’corridor—caution’intheColl。，something’swrongsomewhere。"
　　"That’sClewer，"saidMcTurkunderhisbreath。
　　"Yes，Clewer。HecomestomeforhisFrench。It’shisfirstterm，andhe’salmostascompleteawreckasyouwere，Beetle。He’snotnaturallyclever，buthehasbeenhammeredtillhe’snearlyanidiot。"
　　"Oh，no。Theyshamsillytogetoffmoretickings，’’saidBeetle。"_I_knowthat。"
　　"I’veneveractuallyseenhimknockedabout，"saidtheReverendJohn。
　　"Thegenuinearticledon’tdothatinpublic，"saidBeetle。"Fairburnnevertouchedmewhenanyonewaslookingon。"
　　"Youneedn’tswaggeraboutit，Beetle，"saidMcTurk。"Weallcaughtitinourtime。"
　　"ButIgotitworsethananyone，"saidBeetle。"Ifyouwantanauthorityonbullyin’，Padre，cometome。Corkscrews——brush—drill——keys——head—knucklin’——
　　arm—twistin’——rockin’——AgAgs——andalltherestofit。"
　　"Yes。Idowantyouasanauthority，orratherIwantyourauthoritytostopit——allofyou。"
　　"WhataboutAbanaandPharpar，Padre——HarrisonandCraye？TheyareMr。Prout’spets，"saidMcTurkalittlebitterly。"Wearen’tevensub—prefects。"
　　"I’veconsideredthat，butontheotherhand，sincemostbullyingismerethoughtlessness——"
　　"Notonelittlebitofit，Padre，"saidMcTurk。"Bullieslikebullyin’。Theymeanit。Theythinkitupinlessonandpractiseitinthequarters。"
　　"Nevermind。Ifthethinggoesuptotheprefectsitmaymakeanotherhouse—row。
　　You’vehadonealready。Don’tlaugh。Listentome。Iaskyou——myownTenthLegion——totakethethingupquietly。IwantlittleClewermadetolookfairlycleananddecent——"
　　"Blowedif_I_washhim！"whisperedStalky。
　　"Decentandself—respecting。Asfortheotherboy，whoeverheis，youcanuseyourinfluence"——apurelysecularlightflickeredinthechaplain’seye——"inanywayyoupleaseto——todissuadehim。That’sall。I’llleaveittoyou。Good—night，_mes_enfants_。"
　　"Well，whatarewegoin’todo？"NumberFivestaredateachother。
　　"YoungClewerwouldgivehiseyesforaplacetobequietin。_I_knowthat，"saidBeetle。"Ifwemadehimastudy—fag，eh？"
　　"No！"saidMcTurkfirmly。"He’sadirtylittlebrute，andhe’dmessupeverything。
　　Besides，weain’tgoin’tohaveanybeastlyErickin’。D’youwanttowalkaboutwithyourarmroundhisneck？"
　　"He’dcleanoutthejam—pots，anyhow；an’theburnt—porridgesaucepan——it’sfilthynow。"
　　"Notgoodenough，"saidStalky，bringingupbothheelswithacrashonthetable。
　　"Ifwefindthemerryjesterwho’sbeenbullyin’himan’makehimhappy，that’llbeallright。Whydidn’twespothimwhenwewereintheform—rooms，though？"
　　"MaybealotoffagshavemadeadeadsetatClewer。Theydothatsometimes。"
　　"Thenwe’llhavetokickthewholeofthelowerschoolinourhouse——onspec。Comeon，"saidMcTurk。
　　"Keepyourhairon！Wemustn’tmakeafussaboutthebiznai。Whoeveritishe’skeptquietorwe’dhaveseenhim，"saidStalky。"We’llwalkroundandsniffabouttillwe’resure。"
　　Theydrewthehouseform—rooms，accountingforeveryjuniorandsenioragainstwhomtheyhadsuspicions；investigated，atBeetle’ssuggestion，thelavatoriesandbox—rooms，butwithoutresult。EverybodyseemedtobepresentsaveClewer。
　　"Rum！"saidStalky，pausingoutsideastudydoor。"Golly！"
　　Athinpipingmixedwithtearscamemuffledthroughthepanels。
　　"’AsbeautifulKittyonemorningwastripping——’"
　　"Louder，youyoungdevil，orI’llbuzzabookatyou！"
　　"’With，apitcherofmilk——’Oh，Campbell，_please_don’t！’Tothefairof——"
　　Abookcrashedonsomethingsoft，andsquealsarose。
　　"Well，Ineverthoughtitwasastudy—chap，anyhow。Thataccountsforournotspottinghim，"saidBeetle。"SeftonandCampbellareratherheftychapstotackle。
　　Besides，onecan’tgointotheirstudylikeaform—room。"
　　"Whatswine！"McTurklistened。"Where’sthefunofit？IsupposeClewer’sfaggin’
　　forthem。"
　　"Theyaren’tprefects。That’sonegoodjob，"saidStalky，withhiswar—grin。"SeftonandCampbell！Um！CampbellandSefton！Ah！Oneof’em’sacrammer’spup。"
　　Thetwowereprecocioushairyyouthsbetweenseventeenandeighteen，senttotheschoolindespairbyparentswhohopedthatsixmonths’steadycrammight，perhaps，jockeythemintoSandhurst。NominallytheywereinMr。Prout’shouse；actuallytheywereundertheHead’seye；andsincehewasverycarefulnevertopromotestrangenewboystoprefectships，theyconsideredtheyhadagrievanceagainsttheschool。
　　SeftonhadspentthreemonthswithaLondoncrammer，andthetaleofhisadventurestherelostnothinginthetelling。Campbell，whohadafinetasteinclothesandafluentvocabulary，followedhisleadinlookingdownloftilyontherestoftheworld。Thiswasonlytheirsecondterm，andtheschool，usedtowhatitprofanelycalled"crammers’pups，"hadtreatedthemwithrathergallingreserve。Buttheirwhiskers——Seftonownedarealrazor——andtheirmustacheswerebeyondquestionimpressive。
　　"Shallwegoinan’dissuade’em？"McTurkasked。"I’veneverhadmuchtodowith’em，butI’llbetmyhatCampbell’safunk。"
　　"No——o！That’s_oratio_directa_，"saidStalky，shakinghishead。"Ilike_oratio_obliqua_。’Sides，where’dourmoralinfluencebethen？Thinko’that！"
　　"Rot！Whatareyougoin’todo？"BeetleturnedintoLowerNumberNineform—room，nextdoortothestudy。
　　"Me？"ThelightsofwarflickeredoverStalky’sface。"Oh，Iwanttojapewith’em。
　　Shutupabit！"
　　Hedrovehishandsintohispocketsandstaredoutofwindowatthesea，whistlingbetweenhisteeth。Thenafoottappedthefloor；oneshoulderlifted；hewheeled，andbegantheshortquickdouble—shuffle——thewar—danceofStalkyinmeditation。
　　Thricehecrossedtheemptyform—room，withcompressedlipsandexpandednostrils，swayingtothequick—step。ThenhehaltedbeforethedumbBeetleandsoftlyknuckledhisbead，Beetlebowingtothestrokes。McTurknursedonekneeandrockedtoandfro。TheycouldhearClewerhowlingasthoughhisheartwouldbreak。
　　"Beetleisthesacrifice，"Stalkysaidatlast，"I’msorryforyou，Beetle。’MemberGalton’s’ArtofTravel’[oneoftheformshadbeenstudyingthatpleasantwork]an’
　　thekidwhosebleatin’excitedthetiger？"
　　"Oh，curse！"saidBeetleuneasily。Itwasnothisfirstseasonasasacrifice。
　　"Can’tyougetonwithoutme？"
　　"’Fraidnot，Beetle，dear。You’vegottobebulliedbyTurkeyan’me。Themoreyouhowl，o’course，thebetterit’llbe。Turkey，goan’covetastumpandabox—ropefromsomewhere。We’lltiehimupforakill——_a’_la_Galton。’Memberwhen’Molly’
　　Fairburnmadeuscock—fightwithourshoesoff，an’tiedupourknees？"
　　"Butthathurtlikesin。"
　　"Courseitdid。Whatacleverchapyouare，Beetle！Turkey’llknockyouallovertheplace。’Memberwe’vehadabigrowallround，an’I’vetrappedyouintodoin’this。
　　Lendusyourwipe。"Beetlewastrussedforcock—fighting；but，inadditiontothetransversestumpbetweenelbowandknee，Hiskneeswereboundwithabox—rope。Inthisposture，atapushfromStalkyherolledoversideways，coveringhimselfwithdust。
　　"Rufflehishair，Turkey。Nowyougetdown，too。’Thebleatin’ofthekidexcitesthetiger。’Youtwoareinsuchasweatin’waxwithmethatyouonlycurse。’Memberthat。I’lltickleyouupwithastump。You’llhavetoblub，Beetle。"
　　"RightO！I’llworkuptoitinhalfashake，"saidBeetle。
　　"Nowbegin——andrememberthebleatin’o’thekid。"
　　"Shutup，youbrutes！Letmeup！You’venearlycutmykneesoff。Oh，you_are_
　　beastlycads！_Do_shutup。’Tisn’tajoke！"Beetle’sprotestwas，intone，aworkofart。
　　"Giveittohim，Turkey！Kickhim！Rollhimover！Killhim！Don’tfunk，Beetle，youbrute。Kickhimagain，Turkey。"
　　"He’snotblubbin’really。Rollup，Beetle，orI’llkickyouintothefender，"
　　roaredMcTurk。Theymadeahideousnoiseamongthem，andthebaitalluredtheirquarry。
　　"Hullo！What’sthegiddyjest？"SeftonandCampbellenteredtofindBeetleonhisside，hisheadagainstthefender，weepingcopiously，whileMcTurkproddedhiminthebackwithhistoes。
　　"It’sonlyBeetle，"Stalkyexplained。"He’sshammin’hurt。Ican’tgetTurkeytogoforhimproperly。"Seftonpromptlykickedbothboys，andhisfacelighted。"Allright，I’llattendto’em。Getupan’cock—fight，youtwo。Givemethestump。I’lltickle’em。Here’sagiddyjest！Comeon，Campbell。Let’scook’em。"
　　ThenMcTurkturnedonStalkyandcalledhimveryevilnames。
　　"Yousaidyouweregoin’tocock—fighttoo，Stalky。Comeon！"
　　"Moreassyouforbelievin’me，then！"shriekedStalky。
　　"Haveyouchapshadarow？"saidCampbell。"Row？"saidStalky。"Huh！I’monlyeducatin’them。D’youknowanythin’aboutcock—fighting，Seffy？"
　　"DoIknow？Why，atMaclagan’s，whereIwascrammin’intown，weusedtocock—fightinhisdrawing—room，andlittleMaclagandaren’tsayanything。Butwewerejustthesameasmenthere，ofcourse。DoIknow？_I_’llshowyou。"
　　"Can’tIgetup？"moanedBeetle，asStalkysatonhisshoulder。
　　"Don’tjaw，youfatpiffler。You’regoingtofightSeffy。"
　　"He’llslayme！"
　　"Oh，lug’emintoourstudy，"saidCampbell。"It’snicean’quietinthere。I’llcock—fightTurkey。ThisisanimprovementonyoungClewer。"
　　"RightO！Imoveit’sshoes—offfortheman’shoes—onforus，"saidSeftonjoyously，andthetwowereflungdownonthestudyfloor。Stalkyrolledthembehindanarm—chair。"NowI’lltieyoutwoupan’directthebull—fight。Golly，whatwristsyouhave，Seffy。They’retoothickforawipe；gotabox—rope？"saidhe。
　　"Lotsinthecorner，"Seftonreplied。"Hurryup！Stopblubbin’，youbrute，Beetle。
　　We’regoin’tohaveagiddycampaign。Losershavetosingforthewinners——singodesinhonoroftheconqueror。Youcallyourselfabeastlypoet，don’tyou，Beetle？I’llpoetyou。"
　　HewriggledintopositionbyCampbell’sside。Swiftlyandscientificallythestumpswerethrustthroughthenaturalcrooks，andthewriststiedwithwell—stretchedbox—ropestoanaccompanimentofinsultsfromMcTurk，bound，betrayed，andvolublebehindthechair。StalkysetawayCampbellandSefton，andstrodeovertohisallies，lockingthedoorontheway。
　　"Andthat’sallright，"saidheinachangedvoice。
　　"Whatthedevil——？"Seftonbegan。Beetle’sfalsetearshadceased；McTurk，smiling，wasonhisfeet。Togethertheyboundthekneesandanklesoftheenemyevenmorestraitly。
　　Stalkytookthearm—chairandcontemplatedthescenewithhisblandestsmile。Amantrussedforcook—fightingis，perhaps，themosthelplessthingintheworld。
　　"’Thebleatin’ofthekidexcitesthetiger。’Oh，youfrabjousasses！"Helaybackandlaughedtillhecouldnomore。Thevictimstookinthesituationbutslowly。
　　"We’llgiveyouthefinestlickin’youeverhadinyouryoungliveswhenwegetup！"
　　thunderedSeftonfromthefloor。"You’lllaughtheothersideofyourmouthbeforeyou’vedone。Whatthedeuced’youmeanbythis？"
　　"You’llseeintwoshakes，"saidMcTurk。"Don’tswearlikethat。Whatwewanttoknowis，whyyoutwohulkin’swinehavebeenbullyin’Clewer？"
　　"It’snoneofyourbusiness。"
　　"WhatdidyoubullyClewerfor？"Thequestionwasrepeatedwithmaddeningiterationbyeachinturn。Theyknewtheirwork。
　　"Becausewejollywellchose！"wastheansweratlast。"Let’sgetup。"Eventhentheycouldnotrealizethegame。
　　"Well，nowwe’regoin’tobullyyoubecausewejollywellchoose。We’regoin’tobejustasfairtoyouasyouweretoClewer。Hecouldn’tdoanythingagainstyou。Youcan’tdoanythingtous。Odd，ain’tit？"
　　"Can’twe？Youwaitan’see。"
　　"Ah，"saidBeetlereflectively，"thatshowsyou’veneverbeenproperlyjestedwith。
　　Apubliclickin’ain’tinitwithagentlejape。Betabobyou’llweepan’promiseanything。"
　　"Lookhere，youngBeetle，we’llhalfkillyouwhenwegetup。I’llpromiseyouthat，atanyrate。"
　　"You’regoingtobehalfkilledfirst，though。DidyougiveClewerHead—knuckles？"
　　"DidyougiveClewerHead—knuckles？"Mc—Turkechoed。Atthetwentiethrepetition——noboycanstandthetortureofoneunvaryingquery，whichistheessenceofbullying——
　　cameconfession。
　　"Wedid，confoundyou！"
　　"Thenyou’llbeknuckled；"andknuckledtheywere，accordingtoancientexperience。
　　Head—knucklingisnotrifle；"Molly"Fairburnoftheolddayscouldnothavedonebetter。
　　"DidyougiveClewerBrush—drill？"Thistimethequestionwasansweredsooner，andBrush—drillwasdealtoutforthespaceoffiveminutesbyStalky’swatch。Theycouldnotevenwritheintheirbonds。NobrushisemployedinBrush—drill。
　　"DidyougiveClewertheKey？"
　　"No；wedidn’t。Iswearwedidn’t！"fromCampbell，rollinginagony。
　　"Thenwe’llgiveittoyou，soyoucanseewhatitwouldbelikeifyouhad。"
　　ThetortureoftheKey——whichhasnokeyatall——hurtsexcessively。Theyenduredseveralminutesofit，andtheirlanguagenecessitatedthegag。
　　"DidyougiveClewerCorkscrews？"
　　"Yes。Oh，curseyoursillysouls！Letusalone，youcads。"
　　Theywerecorkscrewed，andthetortureoftheCorkscrew——thishasnothingtodowithcorkscrews——iskeenerthanthetortureoftheKey。
　　Themethodandsilenceoftheattackswasbreakingtheirnerves。Betweeneachnewtorturecamethepitiless，dazingrainofquestions，andwhentheydidnotanswertothepoint，Isabella—coloredhandkerchiefswerethrustintotheirmouths。
　　"NowarethoseallthethingsyoudidtoClewer？Takeoutthegag，Turkey，andlet’emanswer。"
　　"Yes，Iswearthatwasall。Oh，you’rekillingus，Stalky！"criedCampbell。
　　"Pre—ciselywhatClewersaidtoyou。Iheardhim。Nowwe’regoin’toshowyouwhatrealbullyin’is。’WhatIdon’tlikeaboutyou，Sefton，is，youcometotheColl。
　　withyourstick—upcollarsan’patent—leatherboots，an’youthinkyoucanteachussomethingaboutbullying。Doyouthinkyoucanteachusanythingaboutbullying？
　　Takeoutthegagandlethimanswer。"
　　"No！"——ferociously。
　　"Hesaysno。Rockhimtosleep。Campbellcanwatch。"
　　Itneedsthreebeysandtwoboxing—glovestorockaboytosleep。Againtheoperationhasnothingtodowithitsname。Seftonwas"rocked"tillhiseyessetinhisheadandhegaspedandcrowedforbreath，sickanddizzy。
　　"MyAunt！"saidCampbell，appalled，fromhiscorner，andturnedwhite。
　　"Puthimaway，"saidStalky。"BringonCampbell。Nowthis_is_bullyin’。Oh，I
　　forgot！Isay，Campbell，whatdidyoubullyClewerfor？Takeouthisgagandlethimanswer。"
　　"I——Idon’tknow。Oh，letmeoff！IswearI’llmakeit_pax_。Don’t’rock’me！"
　　"’Thebleatin’ofthekidexcitesthetiger。’Hesayshedon’tknow。Sethimup，Beetle。Givemetheglovean’putinthegag。"
　　InsilenceCampbellwas"rocked"sixty—fourtimes。
　　"IbelieveI’mgoin’todie！"hegasped。"Hesaysheisgoin’todie。Puthimaway。
　　Now，Sefton！Oh，Iforgot！Sefton，whatdidyoubullyClewerfor？"
　　Theanswerisunprintable；butitbroughtnotthefaintestflushtoStalky’sdownycheek。
　　"MakehimanAgAg，Turkey！"
　　AndanAgAgwashemade，forthwith。Thehard—boughtexperienceofnearlyeighteenyearswasathisdisposal，buthedidnotseemtoappreciateit。
　　"Hesayswearesweeps。Puthimaway！Now，Campbell！Oh，Iforgot！Isay，Campbell，whatdidyoubullyClewerfor？"
　　Thencamethetears——scaldingtears；appealsformercyandabjectpromisesofpeace。
　　LetthemceasethetorturesandCampbellwouldneverlifthandagainstthem。Thequestionsbeganagain——toanaccompanimentofsmallpersuasions。
　　"Youseemhurt，Campbell。Areyouhurt？"
　　"Yes。Awfully！"
　　"Hesaysheishurt。Areyoubroke？"
　　"Yes，yes！IswearIam。Oh，stop！"
　　"Hesaysheisbroke。Areyouhumble？"
　　"Yes！"
　　"Hesaysheishumble。Areyoudevilishhumble？"
　　"Yes！"
　　"Hesaysheisdevilishhumble。WillyoubullyCleweranymore？"
　　"No。No——ooh！"
　　"Hesayshewon’tbullyClewer。Oranyoneelse？"
　　"No。IswearIwon’t。"
　　"Oranyoneelse。Whataboutthatlickin’youandSeftonweregoin’togiveus？"
　　"Iwon’t！Iwon’t！IswearIwon’t！"
　　"Hesayshewon’tlickus。Doyouesteemyourselftoknowanythingaboutbullyin’？"
　　"No，Idon’t！"
　　"Hesayshedoesn’tknowanythingaboutbullyin’。Haven’twetaughtyoualot？"
　　"Yes——yes！"
　　"Hesayswe’vetaughthimalot。Aren’tyougrateful？"
　　"Yes！"
　　"Hesaysheisgrateful。Puthimaway。Oh，Iforgot！Isay，Campbell，whatdidyoubullyClewerfor？"
　　Heweptanew；hisnervesbeingraw。"BecauseIwasabully。Isupposethat’swhatyouwantmetosay？"
　　"Hesaysheisabully。Rightheis。Puthiminthecorner。NomorejapesforCampbell。Now，Sefton！"
　　"Youdevils！Youyoungdevils！"ThisandmuchmoreasSeftonwaspuntedacrossthecarpetbyskilfulknees。
　　"’Thebleatin’ofthekidexcitesthetiger。’We’regoin’tomakeyoubeautiful。
　　Wheredoeshekeephisshavingthings？[Campbelltold。]Beetle，getsomewater。
　　Turkey，makethelather。We’regoin’toshaveyou，Seffy，soyou’dbetterliejollystill，oryou’llgetcut。I’venevershavedanyonebefore。"
　　"Don’t！Oh，don’t！Pleasedon’t！"
　　"Gettin’polite，eh？I’monlygoin’totakeoffoneduckylittlewhisker——"
　　"I’ll——I’llmakeit_pax_，ifyoudon’t。IswearI’llletyouoffyourlickin’whenIgetup！"
　　"_And_halfthatmustachewe’resoproudof。Hesayshe’llletusoffourlickin’。
　　Isn’thekind？"
　　McTurklaughedintothenickel—platedshaving—cup，andsettledSefton’sheadbetweenStalky’svise—likeknees。
　　"Holdonashake，"saidBeetle，"youcan’tshavelonghairs。You’vegottocutallthatmustacheshortfirst，an’thenscrapehim。"
　　"Well，I’mnotgoin’tohuntaboutforscissors。Won’tamatchdo？Chuckusthematch—box。He_is_ahog，youknow；wemightaswellsingehim。Liestill！"Helitavesta，butcheckedhishand。"Ionlywanttotakeoffhalf，though。"
　　"That’sallright。"Beetlewavedthebrush。"I’lllatheruptothemiddle——see？andyoucanburnofftherest。"
　　Thethin—hairedfirstmustacheofyouthfluffedoffinflametothelather—lineinthecentreofthelip，andStalkyrubbedawaytheburntstumpagewithhisthumb。Itwasnotaverygentleshave，butitabundantlyaccomplisheditspurpose。
　　"Nowthewhiskerontheotherside。Turnhimover！"Betweenmatchandrazorthis，too，wasremoved。"Givehimhisshaving—glass。Takethegagout。Iwanttohearwhathe’llsay。"
　　Buttherewerenowords。Seftongazedatthelop—sidedwreckinhorroranddespair。
　　Twofattearsrolleddownhischeek。
　　"Oh，Iforgot！Isay，Sefton，whatdidyoubullyClewerfor？"
　　"Leavemealone！Oh，youinfernalbullies，leavemealone！Haven’tIhadenough？"
　　"Hesayswemustleavehimalone，"saidMcTurk。
　　"Hesayswearebullies，an’wehaven’tevenbegunyet，"saidBeetle。"You’reungrateful，Seffy。Golly！Youdolookanatrocityandahalf！"
　　"Hesayshehashadenough，"saidStalky。"Heerrs！"
　　"Well，towork，towork！"chantedMcTurk，wavingastump。"Comeon，mygiddyNarcissus。Don’tfallinlovewithyourownreflection！"
　　"Oh，lethimoff，"saidCampbellfromhiscorner；"he’sblubbing，too。"
　　Seftoncriedlikeatwelve—year—oldwithpain，shame，woundedvanity，andutterhelplessness。
　　"You’llmakeit_pax_，Sefton，won’tyou？Youcan’tstanduptothoseyoungdevils——"
　　"Don’tberude，Campbell，de—ah，"saidMcTurk，"oryou’llcatchitagain！"
　　"You_are_devils，youknow，"saidCampbell。
　　"What？foralittlebullyin’——sameasyou’vebeengivin’Clewer！Howlonghaveyoubeenjestin’withhim？"saidStalky。"Allthisterm？"
　　"Wedidn’talwaysknockhimabout，though！"
　　"Youdidwhenyoucouldcatchhim，"saidBeetle，cross—leggedonthefloor，droppingastumpfromtimetotimeacrossSefton’sinstep。"Don’tIknowit！"
　　"I——perhapswedid。"
　　"Andyouwentoutofyourwaytocatchhim？Don’tIknowit！Becausehewasanawfullittlebeast，eh？Don’tIknowit！Now，yousee，_you_’reawfulbeasts，andyou’regettin’whathegot——forbein’abeast。Justbecausewechoose。"
　　"Weneverreallybulliedhim——likeyou’vedoneus。"
　　"Yah！"saidBeetle。"Theyneverreallybully——’Molly’Fairburndidn’t。Onlyknock’emaboutalittlebit。That’swhattheysay。Onlykicktheirsoulsoutof’em，andtheygoandblubinthebox—rooms。Shovetheirheadsintotheulstersan’blub。
　　Writehomethreetimesaday——yes，youbrute，I’vedonethat——askin’tobetakenaway。You’veneverbeenbulliedproperly，CampbellI’msorryyoumade_pax_。"
　　"I’mnot！"saidCampbell，whowasahumoristinaway。"Lookout，you’reslayingSefton！"
　　InhisexcitementBeetlehadusedthestumpunreflectingly，andSeftonwasnowshoutingformercy。
　　"An’you！"hecried，wheelingwherehesat。"You’veneverbeenbullied，either。
　　Wherewereyoubeforeyoucamehere？"
　　"I——Ihadatutor。"
　　"Yah！Youwould。Youneverblubbedinyourlife。Butyou’reblubbin’now，bygum。
　　Aren’tyoublubbin’？"
　　"Can’tyousee，youblindbeast？"Seftonfelloversideways，tear—tracksfurrowingthedriedlather。Crackcamethecricket—stumponthecurvedlatter—endofhim。
　　"Blind，amI，"saidBeetle，"andabeast？Shutup，Stalky。I’mgoin’tojapeabitwithourfriend，_a’_la_’Molly’Fairburn。_I_thinkIcansee。Can’tIsee，Sefton？"
　　"Thepointiswelltaken，"saidMcTurk，watchingthestrapatwork。"You’dbettersaythathesees，Seffy。"
　　"Youdo——youcan！Iswearyoudo！"yelledSefton，forstrongargumentswerecoercinghim。
　　"Aren’tmyeyeslovely？"Thestumproseandfellsteadilythroughoutthiscatechism。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Agentlehazel，aren’tthey？"
　　"Yes——oh，yes！"
　　"Whataliaryouare！They’resky—blue。Ain’ttheysky—blue？"
　　"Yes——oh，yes！"
　　"Youdon’tknowyourmindfromoneminutetoanother。Youmustlearn——youmustlearn。"
　　"Whatabaityou’rein！"saidStalky。"Keepyourhairon，Beetle。"
　　"I’vehaditdonetome，"saidBeetle。"Now——aboutmybeingabeast。"
　　"_Pax_——oh，_pax_！"criedSefton；"makeit_pax_。I’llgiveup！Letmeoff！I’mbroke！Ican’tstandit！"
　　"Ugh！Justwhenweweregettin’ourhandin！"gruntedMcTurk。
　　"Theydidn’tletCleweroff，I’llswear。"
　　"Confess——apologize——quick！"saidStalky。
　　FromthefloorSeftonmadeunconditionalsurrender，moreabjectlyeventhanCampbellHewouldnevertouchanyoneagain。Hewouldgosoftlyallthedaysofhislife。
　　"We’vegottotakeit，Isuppose？"saidStalky。"Allright，Sefton。You’rebroke？
　　Verygood。Shutup，Beetle！Butbeforeweletyouup，youan’Campbellwillkindlyobligeuswith’KittyofColeraine’——_a’_la_Clewer。"
　　"That’snotfair，"saidCampbell；"we’vesurrendered。"
　　"’Courseyouhave。Nowyou’regoin’todowhatwetellyou——sameasClewerwould。Ifyouhadn’tsurrenderedyou’dha’beenreallybullied。Havin’surrendered——doyoufollow，Seffy？——yousingodesinhonoroftheconquerors。Hurryup！"
　　Theydroppedintochairsluxuriously。CampbellandSeftonlookedateachother，and，neithertakingcomfortfromthatview，struckup"KittyofColeraine。"
　　"Vilebad，"saidStalky，asthemiserablewailingended。"Ifyouhadn’tsurrendereditwouldhavebeenourpainfuldutytobuzzbooksatyouforsingin’outo’tune。
　　Nowthen。"
　　Hefreedthemfromtheirbonds，butforseveralminutestheycouldnotrise。
　　Campbellwasfirstonhisfeet，smilinguneasily。Seftonstaggeredtothetable，buriedhisheadinhisarms，andshookwithsobs。Therewasnoshadowoffightineither——onlyamazement，distress，andshame。
　　"Ca——can’theshavecleanbeforetea，please？"saidCampbell。"It’stenminutestobell。"
　　Stalkyshookhishead。Hemeanttoescortthehalf—shavedonetothemeal。
　　McTurkyawnedinhischairandBeetlemoppedhisface。Theywerealldrippingwithexcitementandexertion。
　　"IfIknewanythingaboutit，IswearI’dgiveyouamorallecture，"saidStalkyseverely。
　　"Don’tjaw；they’vesurrendered，"saidMcTurk。"Thismoralsuasionbiznaitakesitoutofachap。"
　　"Don’tyouseehowgentlewe’vebeen？WemighthavecalledClewerintolookatyou，"saidStalky。"’Thebleatin’ofthetigerexcitesthekid。’Butwedidn’t。
　　We’veonlygottotellafewchapsinColl。aboutthisandyou’dbehootedallovertheshop。Yourlifewouldn’tbeworthhavin’。Butwearen’tgoin’todothat，either。We’restrictlymoralsuasers，Campbell；so，unlessyouorSeffysplitaboutthis，noonewill。"
　　"Iswearyou’reabrick，"saidCampbell。"IsupposeIwasratherabrutetoClewer。"
　　"Itlookedlikeit，"saidStalky。"ButIdon’tthinkSeffyneedcomeintohallwithcock—eyewhiskers。Horridbadforthefagsiftheysawhim。Hecanshave。Ain’tyougrateful，Sefton？"
　　Theheaddidnotlift。Seftonwasdeeplyasleep。
　　"That’srummy，"saidMcTurk，asasnoremixedwithasob。"’Cheek，_I_think；orelsehe’sshammin’。"
　　"No，’tisn’t，"saidBeetle。"’When’Molly’FairburnhadattendedtomeforanhourorsoIusedtogobungofftosleeponaformsometimes。Poordevil！Buthecalledmeabeastlypoet，though。"
　　"Well，comeon。"Stalkyloweredhisvoice。"Good—by，Campbell。’Member，ifyoudon’ttalk，nobodywill。"
　　Thereshouldhavebeenawar—dance，butthatallthreeweresoutterlytiredthattheyalmostwenttosleepabovethetea—cupsintheirstudy，andslepttillprep。
　　"Amostextraordinaryletter。Areallparentsincurablymad？Whatdoyoumakeofit？"saidtheHead，handingacloselywritteneightpagestotheReverendJohn。
　　"’Theonlysonofhismother，andsheawidow。’Thatistheleastreasonablesort。"
　　Thechaplainreadwithpursedlips。"Ifhalfthosechargesaretrueheshouldbeinthesick—house；whereasheisdisgustinglywell。Certainlyhehasshaved。Inoticedthat。"
　　"Undercompulsion，ashismotherpointsout。Howdelicious！Howsalutary！"
　　"Youhaven’ttoanswerher。Itisn’toftenIdon’tknowwhathashappenedintheschool；butthisisbeyondme。"
　　"IfyouaskedmeIshouldsayseeknottopropitiate。Whenoneisforcedtotakecrammers’pups——"
　　"Hewasperfectlywellatextra—tuition——withme——thismorning，"saidtheHead，absently。"Unusuallywellbehaved，too。"
　　"——theyeithereducatetheschool，ortheschool，asinthiscase，educatesthem。I
　　preferourownmethods，"thechaplainconcluded。
　　"Youthinkitwasthat？"AliftoftheHead’seyebrow。
　　"I’msureofit！AndnothingexcuseshistryingtogivetheCollegeabadname。"
　　"That’sthelineImeantotakewithhim，"theHeadanswered。
　　TheAugurswinked。
　　AfewdayslatertheReverendJohncalledonNumberFive。"Whyhaven’tweseenyoubefore，Padre？"saidthey。
　　"I’vebeenwatchingtimesandseasonsandeventsandmen——andboys，"hereplied。"I
　　ampleasedwithmyTenthLegion。Imakethemmycompliments。Clewerwasthrowingink—ballsinformthismorning，insteadofdoinghiswork。Heisnowdoingfiftylinesfor——unheard—ofaudacity。"
　　"Youcan’tblameus，sir，"saidBeetle。"Youtoldustoremovethe——er——pressure。
　　That’stheworstofafag。"
　　"I’veknownboysfiveyearshisseniorthrowink—balls，Beetle。TosuchanonehaveIgiventwohundredlines——notsolongago。AndnowIcometothinkofit，werethoselinesevershownup？"
　　"Werethey，Turkey？’saidBeetleunblushingly。
　　"Don’tyouthinkClewerlooksalittlecleaner，Padre？"Stalkyinterrupted。
　　"We’renoendofmoralreformers，"saidMcTurk。
　　"ItwasallStalky，butitwasalark，"saidBeetle。
　　"Ihavenoticedthemoralreforminseveralquarters。Didn’tItellyouyouhadmoreinfluencethananyboysintheColl。ifyoucaredtouseit？"
　　"It’satrifleexhaustin’tousefrequent——ourkindofmoralsuasion。Besides，yousee，itonlymakesClewercheeky。"
　　"Iwasn’tthinkingofClewer；Iwasthinkingof——theotherpeople，Stalky。"
　　"Oh，wedidn’tbothermuchabouttheotherpeople，"saidMcTurk。"Didwe？"
　　"But_I_did——fromthebeginning。"
　　"Thenyouknew，sir？"
　　Adownwardpuffofsmoke。"Boyseducateeachother，theysay，morethanwecanordare。IfIhadusedonehalfofthemoralsuasionyoumayormaynothaveemployed——"
　　"Withthebestmotivesintheworld。Don’tforgetourpiousmotives，Padre，"saidMcTurk。
　　"IsupposeIshouldbenowlanguishinginBidefordjail，shouldn’tI？Well，toquotetheHead，inalittlebusinesswhichwehaveagreedtoforget，thatstrikesmeasflagrantinjustice……Whatareyoulaughingat，youyoungsinners？Isn’tittrue？I
　　willnotstaytobeshoutedat。WhatIlookedintothisdenofiniquityforwastofindoutifanyonecaredtocomedownforabatheofftheRidge。ButIseeyouwon’t。"
　　"Won’twe，though！Halfashake，PadreSahib，tillwegetourtowels，and_nous_sommes_avec_vous_！"
　　ALITTLEPREP。
　　EastertermwasbutamontholdwhenStettsonmajor，adayboy，contracteddiphtheria，andtheHeadwasveryangry。Hedecreedanewandnarrowersetofbounds——theinfectionhadbeentracedtoanout—lyingfarmhouse——urgedtheprefectsseverelytolickalltrespassers，andpromisedextraattentionsfromhisownhand。
　　TherewerenowordsbadenoughforStettsonmajor，quarantinedathismother’shouse，whohadloweredtheschool—averageofhealth。Thishesaidinthegymnasiumafterprayers。Thenhewrotesometwohundredletterstoasmanyanxiousparentsandguardians，andbadetheschoolcarryon。Thetroubledidnotspread，but，onenight，adog—cartdrovetotheHead’sdoor，andinthemorningtheHeadhadgone，leavingallthingsinchargeofMr。King，seniorhouse—master。TheHeadoftenranuptotown，wheretheschooldevoutlybelievedhebribedofficialsforearlyproofsoftheArmyExaminationpapers；butthisabsencewasunusuallyprolonged。
　　"Downyoldbird！"saidStalkytothealliesonewetafternooninthestudy。"Hemusthavegoneonabendandbeenlockedupunderafalsename。"
　　"Whatfor？"Beetleenteredjoyouslyintothelibel。
　　"Fortyshillin’soramonthforhackin’thechucker—outofthePavvyontheshins。
　　Batesalwayshasaspreewhenhegoestotown。Wishhewasback，though。I’maboutsicko’King’s’whipsan’scorpions’an’lecturesonpublic—schoolspirit——yah！——andscholarship！"
　　"’Crassan’materializedbrutalityofthemiddle—classes——readin’solelyformarks。
　　Notascholarinthewholeschool，’"McTurkquoted，pensivelyboringholesinthemantel—piecewithahotpoker。
　　"That’sratherasicklywayofspendinganafternoon。Stinkstoo。Let’scomeoutan’
　　smoke。Here’satreat。"StalkyheldupalongIndiancheroot。"’Baggeditfrommypaterlastholidays。I’mabitshyofitthough；it’sheftierthanapipe。We’llsmokeitpalaver—fashion。Handitround，eh？Let’slieupbehindtheoldharrowontheMonkey—farmRoad。"
　　"Outofbounds。Boundsbeastlystrictthesedays，too。Besides，weshallcat。"
　　Beetlesniffedthecherootcritically。"It’saregularPomposoStinkadore。"
　　"Youcan；Ishan’t。Whatd’yousay，Turkey？"
　　"Oh，may’swell，Is’pose。"
　　"Chuckonyourcap，then。It’stwotoone。Beetle，outyoucome！"
　　Theysawagroupofboysbythenotice—boardinthecorridor；littleFoxy，theschoolsergeant，amongthem。
　　"Morebounds，Iexpect，"saidStalky。"Hullo，Foxibus，whoareyouinmournin’for？"
　　TherewasabroadbandofcraperoundFoxy’sarm。
　　"Hewasinmyoldregiment，"saidFoxy，jerkinghisheadtowardsthenotices，whereanewspapercuttingwasthumb—tackedbetweencalloverlists。
　　"Bygum！"quothStalky，uncoveringasheread。"It’soldDuncan——Fat—SowDuncan——killedondutyatsomethingorotherKotal。’_Rallyin’_his_men_with_
　　_conspicuous_gallantry。_’Hewould，ofcourse。’_The_body_was_recovered_。’That’sallright。Theycut’emupsometimes，don’tthey，Foxy？"
　　"Horrid，"saidthesergeantbriefly。
　　"PooroldFat—Sow！Iwasafagwhenheleft。Howmanydoesthatmaketous，Foxy？"
　　"Mr。Duncan，heistheninth。HecomeherewhenhewasnobiggerthanlittleGreytertius。Myoldregiment，too。Yiss，ninetous，Mr。Corkran，uptodate。"
　　Theboyswentoutintothewet，walkingswiftly。
　　"Wonderhowitfeels——tobeshotandallthat，"saidStalky，astheysplasheddownalane。"Wheredidithappen，Beetle？"
　　"Oh，outinIndiasomewhere。We’realwaysrowin’there。Butlookhere，Stalky，what_is_thegoodo’sittin’underahedgean’cattin’？It’sbe—eastlycold。It’sbe—eastlywet，andwe’llbecollaredassureasagun。"
　　"Shutup！DidyoueverknowyourUncleStalkygetyouintoamessyet？"Likemanyotherleaders，Stalkydidnotdwellonpastdefeats。
　　Theypushedthroughadrippinghedge，landedamongwater—loggedclods，andsatdownonarust—coatedharrow。Thecherootburnedwithsputteringsofsaltpetre。Theysmokeditgingerly，eachpassingtotheotherbetweendosedforefingerandthumb。
　　"Goodjobwehadn’toneapiece，ain’tit？"saidStalky，shiveringthroughsetteeth。
　　Toprovehiswordsheimmediatelylaidallbeforethem，andtheyfollowedhisexample……
　　"Itoldyou，"moanedBeetle，sweatingclammydrops。"Oh，Stalky，youareafool！"
　　"_Je_cat_，_tu_cat_，_il_cat_。_Nouscattons_！"McTurkhandeduphiscontributionandlayhopelesslyonthecoldiron。
　　"Something’swrongwiththebeastlything。Isay，Beetle，haveyoubeendroppin’inkonit？"
　　ButBeetlewasinnocasetoanswer。Limpandempty，theysprawledacrosstheharrow，therustmarkingtheirulstersinredsquaresandtheabandonedcheroot—endreekingundertheirverycoldnoses。Then——theyhadheardnothing——theHeadhimselfstoodbeforethem——theHeadwhoshouldhavebeenintownbribingexaminers——theHeadfantasticallyattiredinoldtweedsandadeer—stalker！
　　"Ah，"hesaid，fingeringhismustache。"Verygood。Imighthaveguessedwhoitwas。
　　YouwillgobacktotheCollegeandgivemycomplimentstoMr。Kingandaskhimtogiveyouanextra—speciallicking。Youwillthendomefivehundredlines。Ishallbebackto—morrow。Fivehundredlinesbyfiveo’clockto—morrow。Youarealsogatedforaweek。Thisisnotexactlythetimeforbreakingbounds。Extra—special，please。"
　　Hedisappearedoverthehedgeaslightlyashehadcome。Therewasamurmurofwomen’svoicesinthedeeplane。
　　"Oh，youProoshanbrute！"saidMcTurkasthevoicesdiedaway。"Stalky，it’sallyoursillyfault。"
　　"Killhim！Killhim！"gaspedBeetle。
　　"Ica—an’t。I’mgoingtocatagain……Idon’tmindthat，butKing’llgloatoverushorrid。Extra—special，ooh！"
　　Stalkymadenoanswer——notevenasoftone。TheywenttoCollegeandreceivedthatforwhichtheyhadbeensent。Kingenjoyedhimselfmostthoroughly，forbyvirtueoftheirsenioritytheboyswereexemptfromhishand，saveunderspecialorder。
　　Luckily，hewasnoexpertinthegentleart。
　　"’Strange，howdesiredothoutrunperformance，’"saidBeetleirreverently，quotingfromsomeShakespeareplaythattheywerecrammingthatterm。Theyregainedtheirstudyandsettleddowntotheimposition。
　　"You’requiteright，Beetle。"Stalkyspokeinsilkyandpropitiatingtones。"Now，iftheHeadhadsentusuptoaprefect，we’dhavegotsomethingtoremember！"
　　"Lookhere，"McTurkbeganwithcoldvenom，"wearen’tgoin’torowyouaboutthisbusiness，becauseit’stoobadforarow；butwewantyoutounderstandyou’rejollywellexcommunicated，Stalky。You’reaplainass。"
　　"HowwasItoknowthattheHead’udcollarus？Whatwashedoin’inthoseghastlyclothes，too？"
　　"Don’ttrytoraiseaside—issue，"Beetlegruntedseverely。
　　"Well，itwasallStettsonmajor’sfault。Ifhehadn’tgonean’gotdiphtheria’twouldn’thavehappened。Butdon’tyouthinkitratherrummy——theHeaddroppin’onusthatway？"
　　"Shutup！You’redead！"saidBeetle。"We’vechoppedyourspursoffyourbeastlyheels。We’vecockedyourshieldupsidedownand———andIdon’tthinkyououghttobeallowedtobrewforamonth。"
　　"Oh，stopjawin’atme。Iwant——"
　　"Stop？Why——why，we’regatedforaweek。"McTurkalmosthowledastheagonyofthesituationover—camehim。"Alickin’fromKing，fivehundredlines，_and_agatin’。
　　D’youexpectustokissyou，Stalky，youbeast？"
　　"Droprottin’foraminute。IwanttofindoutabouttheHeadbein’wherehewas。"
　　"Well，youhave。Youfoundhimquitewellandfit。Foundhimmakin’lovetoStettsonmajor’smother。Thatwasherinthelane——Iheardher。Andsowewereorderedalickin’beforeaday—boy’smother。Bonyoldwidow，too，"saidMcTurk。"Anythingelseyou’dliketofindout？"
　　"Idon’tcare。IswearI’llgetevenwithhimsomeday，"Stalkygrowled。
　　"Lookslikeit，"saidMcTurk。"Extra—special，week’sgatin’andfivehundred……andnowyou’regoin’torowaboutit！Helpscraghim，Beetle！"StalkyhadthrownhisVirgilatthem。
　　TheHeadreturnednextdaywithoutexplanation，tofindthelineswaitingforhimandtheschoolalittlerelaxedunderMr。King’sviceroyalty。Mr。Kinghadbeentalkingatandroundandovertheboys’heads，inaloftyandpromiscuousstyle，ofpublic—schoolspiritandthetraditionsofancientseats；forhealwaysimprovedanoccasion。Beyondwakingintwohundredandfiftyyoungheartsalivelyhatredofallotherfoundations，heaccomplishedlittle——solittle，indeed，thatwhen，twodaysaftertheHead’sreturn，hechancedtocomeacrossStalky&Co。，gatedbuteverresourceful，playingmarblesinthecorridor，hesaidthathewasnotsurprised——notintheleastsurprised。Thiswaswhathehadexpectedfrompersonsoftheir_morale_。
　　"Butthereisn’tanyruleagainstmarbles，sir。Veryinterestin’game，"saidBeetle，hiskneeswhitewithchalkanddust。Thenhereceivedtwohundredlinesforinsolence，besidesanordertogotothenearestprefectforjudgmentandslaughter。
　　ThisiswhathappenedbehindthecloseddoorsofFlint’sstudy，andFlintwasthenHeadoftheGames：——
　　"Oh，Isay，Flint。Kinghassentmetoyouforplayin’marblesinthecorridoran’
　　shoutin’’alleytor’an’’knuckledown。’"
　　"WhatdoeshesupposeIhavetodowiththat？"wastheanswer。
　　"Dunno。Well？"Beetlegrinnedwickedly。"WhatamItotellhim？He’sratherwrathyaboutit。"
　　"IftheHeadchoosestoputanoticeinthecorridorforbiddin’marbles，Icandosomething；butIcan’tmoveonahouse—master’sreport。HeknowsthataswellasI
　　do。"
　　ThesenseofthisoracleBeetleconveyed，allunsweetened，toKing，whohastenedtointerviewFlint。
　　NowFlinthadbeensevenandahalfyearsattheCollege，countingsixmonthswithaLondoncrammer，fromwhoseroofhehadreturned，homesick，totheHeadforthefinalArmypolish。Therewerefourorfiveotherseniorswhobadgonethroughmuchthesamemill，nottomentionboys，rejectedbyotherestablishmentsonaccountofacertainoverwhelmingness，whomtheHeadhadwroughtintoveryfairshape。ItwasnotaSixthtobehandledwithoutgloves，asKingfound。
　　"AmItounderstanditisyourintentiontoallowboard—schoolgamesunderyourstudywindows，Flint？Ifso，Icanonlysay——"Hesaidmuch，andFlintlistenedpolitely。
　　"Well，sir，iftheHeadseesfittocallaprefects’meetingweareboundtotakethematterup。Butthetraditionoftheschoolisthattheprefectscan’tmoveinanymatteraffectingthewholeschoolwithouttheHead’sdirectorder。"
　　Muchmorewasthendelivered，bothsidesalittlelosingtheirtemper。
　　Aftertea，ataninformalgatheringofprefectsinhisstudy，Flintrelatedtheadventure。
　　"He’sbeenplayin’forthisforaweek，andnowhe’sgotit。YouknowaswellasI
　　dothatifhehadn’tbeengassingatusthewayhehas，thatyoungdevilBeetlewouldn’thavedreamedofmarbles。"
　　"Weknowthat，"saidPerowne，"butthatisn’tthequestion。OnFlint’sshowin’Kinghascalledtheprefectsnamesenoughtojustifyafirst—classrow。Crammers’
　　rejections，ill—regulatedhobble—de—hoys，wasn’tit？Nowit’simpossibleforprefects——"
　　"Rot，"saidFlint。"King’sthebestclassicalcramwe’vegot；and’tisn’tfairtobothertheHeadwitharow。He’suptohiseyeswithextra—tu。andArmyworkasitis。Besides，asItoldKing，we_aren’t_apublicschool。We’realimitedliabilitycompanypayin’fourpercent。Myfather’sashareholder，too。"
　　"What’sthatgottodowithit？"saidVenner，ared—headedboyofnineteen。
　　"Well，seemstomethatweshouldbeinterferin’withourselves。We’vegottogetintotheArmyor——getout，haven’twe？King’shiredbytheCounciltoteachus。Alltherest’sgumdiddle。Can’tyousee？"
　　ItmighthavebeenbecausehefelttheairwasalittlethunderousthattheHeadtookhisafter—dinnercheroottoFlint’sstudy；buthesooftenbegananeveninginaprefect’sroomthatnobodysuspectedwhenhedriftedinpensively，aftertheknocksthatetiquettedemanded。
　　"Prefects’meeting？"Acockofonewiseeye—brow。
　　"Notexactly，sir；we’rejusttalkingthingsover。Won’tyoutaketheeasychair？"
　　"Thanks。Luxuriousinfants，youare。"HedroppedintoFlint’sbighalf—couchandpuffedforawhileinsilence。"Well，sinceyou’reallhere，ImayconfessthatI’mthemutewiththebowstring。"
　　Theyoungfacesgrewserious。Thephrasemeantthatcertainoftheirnumberwouldbewithdrawnfromallfurthergamesforextra—tuition。ItmightalsomeanfuturesuccessatSandhurst；butitwaspresentruinfortheFirstFifteen。
　　"Yes，I’vecomeformypoundofflesh。IoughttohavehadyououtbeforetheExetermatch；butit’soursacreddutytobeatExeter。"
　　"Isn’ttheOldBoys’matchsacred，too，sir？"saidPerowne。TheOldBoys’matchwastheeventoftheEasterterm。
　　"We’llhopetheyaren’tintraining。Nowforthelist。FirstIwantFlint。It’stheEuclidthatdoesit。Youmustworkdeductionswithme。Perowne，extramechanicaldrawing。DawsongoestoMr。KingforextraLatin，andVennertomeforGerman。HaveIdamagedtheFirstFifteenmuch？"Hesmiledsweetly。
　　"Ruinedit，I’mafraid，sir，"saidFlint。"Can’tyouletusofftilltheendoftheterm？"
　　"Impossible。ItwillbeatightsqueezeforSandhurstthisyear。"
　　"AndalltobecutupbythosevileAfghans，too，"saidDawson。"Wouldn’tthinkthere’dbesomuchcompetition，wouldyou？"
　　"Oh，thatremindsme。CrandalliscomingdownwiththeOldBoys——I’veaskedtwentyofthem，butweshan’tgetmorethanaweakteam。Idon’tknowwhetherhe’llbemuchuse，though。Hewasratherknockedabout，recoveringpooroldDuncan’sbody。"
　　"Crandallmajor——theGunner？"Perowneasked。
　　"No，theminor——’Toffee’Crandall——inanativeinfantryregiment。Hewasalmostbeforeyourtime，Perowne。"
　　"Thepapersdidn’tsayanythingabouthim。WereadaboutFat—Sow，ofcourse。
　　What’sCrandalldone。sir？"
　　"I’vebroughtoveranIndianpaperthathismothersentme。Itwasrathera——hefty，Ithinkyousay——pieceofwork。ShallIreadit？"TheHeadknewhowtoread。Whenhehadfinishedthequarter—columnofclosetypeeverybodythankedhimpolitely。
　　"GoodfortheoldColl。！"saidPerowne。"Pityhewasn’tintimetosaveFat—Sow，though。That’sninetous，isn’tit，inthelastthreeyears？"
　　"Yes……AndItookoldDuncanoffallgamesforextra—tu。fiveyearsagothisterm，"
　　saidtheHead。"Bytheway，whodoyouhandovertheGamesto，Flint？"
　　"Haven’tthoughtyet。Who’dyourecommend，sir？"
　　"No，thankyou。I’vehearditcasuallyhintedbehindmybackthattheProoshanBatesisadownybird，butheisn’tgoingtomakehimselfresponsibleforanewHeadoftheGames。Settleitamongyourselves。Good—night。"
　　"Andthat’stheman，"saidFlint，whenthedoorshut，"thatyouwanttobotherwithadame’sschoolrow。"
　　"Iwasonlypullin’yourfatleg，"Perownereturned，hastily。"You’resoeasytodraw，Flint。"
　　"Well，nevermindthat。TheHead’sknockedtheFirstFifteentobits，andwe’vegottopickupthepieces，ortheOldBoyswillhaveawalk—over。Let’spromotealltheSecondFifteenandmakeBigSideplayup。There’sheapsoftalentsomewherethatwecanpolishupbetweennowandthematch。"
　　ThecasewasrepresentedsourgentlytotheschoolthatevenStalkyandMcTurk，whoaffectedtodespisefootball，playedoneBig—Sidegameseriously。Theywereforthwithpromotederetheirardorhadtimetocool，andthedignityoftheirCapsdemandedthattheyshouldkeepsomeshowofvirtue。Thematch—teamwasworkedatleastfourdaysoutofseven，andtheschoolsawhopeahead。