but I confess I do not to-night. Some of you, after your idiotic performances at prep., seem to think me a fit person to cheer. I am going to show you that I am not.'
Crash—crash—crash—came the triple cheer that disproved it, and the Head glowered under the gas.
'That is enough. You will gain nothing. The little boys (the Lower School did not like that form of address) will do me three hundred lines apiece in the holidays. I shall take no further notice of them. The Upper School will do me one thousand lines apiece in the holidays, to be shown up the evening of the day they come back. And further'
'Gummy, what a glutton!' Stalky whispered.
'For your behaviour towards Mr. Mason I intend to lick the whole of the Upper School to-morrow when I give you your journey-money. This will include the three study-boys I found dancing on the form-room desks when I came up. Prefects will stay after call-over.'
The school filed out in silence, but gathered in groups by the gymnasium door waiting what might befall.
'And now, Flint,' said the Head, 'will you be good enough to give me some explanation of your conduct?'
'Well, sir,' said Flint desperately, 'if you save a chap's life at the risk of your own when he's dyin' of diphtheria, and the Coll. finds it out, wha-what can you expect, sir?'
'Um, I see. Then that noise was not meant
