em pretty right?"

"Yes," said Ainger laconically.

"Have you noticed anything, Barnworth?"

"There's a draught in the big dormitory, sir," replied Barnworth
seriously.

"Indeed, we must have that seen to. Of course, what I mean is as to the
conduct of the boys, and so on. Are the rules pretty generally obeyed?"

It was Stafford's turn, and his report was disconcerting too.

"No, sir, not very much."

The new master put down the poker.

"I am sorry to hear that; for discipline must be maintained. Can you
suggest anything to improve the state of the house?"

"No, sir," replied Felgate.

This was getting intolerable. The new master's patience was oozing
away, and his wits, strange to say, were coming in.

"This is rather damping," he said. "Things seem pretty right, there's a
draught in the big dormitory, the rules are not very much obeyed, and
nothing can be suggested to improve matters."

The four sat silent--the situation was quite as painful to them as to
Mark.

The latter grew desperate.

"Now," said he, raising his voice in a way which put up Ainger's back.
"You four boys are in the Sixth, and I understand that the discipline of
the house is pretty much in your hands. I shall have to depend on you;
and if things go wrong, of course I shall naturally hold you
responsible."

Ainger flushed up at this; while Stafford, on whom the master's eyes
were fixed, vaguely nodded his head.

"I am very anxious for the house to get a good name for order, and
work--and," added he, "I hope we shall be able to do something at
sports, too."

Here, at least, the master expected he would meet with a response. But
Ainger, the boy chiefly interested in sports, was sulking; and
Barnworth, who also was an athlete, was too absorbed in speculating what
remark was maturing itself in Felgate's mind to heed what was being
said.

"I suppose the house has an eleven--for instance?"

"Yes, generally," said Stafford.

Felgate now came in with his remark.

"Something ought to be done to prevent our house being interfered with
by Mr Bickers," said he; "there are sure to be rows while that lasts."

"Oh," said Railsford, who had heard rumours of this feud already; "how
are we interfered with?"

"Oh, every way," replied Ainger; "but we needn't trouble you about that,
sir. We can take care of ourselves."

"But I should certainly wish to have any difficulty put right," said the
new master, "especially if it interfere