Tadpoles.

Now, at last, they had a clear issue before them--Greenfield senior, was
he a hero or was he a blackguard? There was no mistaking sides there.
There was no unpleasant possibility of having to make common cause and
proclaim an armistice. No! on the question of Greenfield senior,
Guinea-pigs and Tadpoles had something to fight about from morning till
night, and therefore _they_, at any rate, were happy!

"Jellicott," said Dr Senior one day, as the masters met for five
minutes' talk in the head master's study, "Greenfield in the Fifth is
not well, I'm afraid. I never see him out in the playground."

"Really?" said Mr Jellicott. "I'm so rarely out there that I haven't
noticed. I believe, however, he is quite well."

"I hope he is not overworking," said the Doctor. "He has done so very
well this term that it would be a pity if he spoiled his chance by
knocking himself up."

"Greenfield senior," put in Mr Rastle, "appears to be unpopular just at
present; at least, so I gather from what I have heard. I don't know
what crime he has committed, but the tribunal of his class have been
very severe on him, I fancy."

The Doctor laughed.

"Boys will be boys! Well, it's a relief if that's the solution of the
mystery, for I was afraid he was ill. We have no right to interfere
with these boyish freaks, as long as they are not mischievous. But you
might keep your eye on the little comedy, Jellicott. It would be a pity
for it to go too far."

Mr Jellicott did keep his eye on the little comedy, and came to the
conclusion that, whatever Greenfield had done, he was being pretty
severely paid out. He reported as much to the Doctor, who, however,
still deprecated interference.

"We might only make things worse," said he, "by meddling. Things like
this always right themselves far better than an outsider can right them.
Besides, as Greenfield will get his move up after Christmas, he will be
less dependent on the good graces of his present class-fellows."

And so the matter ended for the present, as far as the masters were
concerned. The reader will, perhaps, feel very indignant, and declare
the Doctor was neglecting his duty in treating so serious a matter so
lightly. He ought (some one says) to have investigated the whole affair
from beginning to end, and made sure what was the reason of the Fifth's
displeasure and of Oliver's disgrace. In fact, when one comes to think
of it, it is a marvel how the Doctor