ad a large
stock of such articles, and let them out on loan for the term. It was a
paying business. Gordon, of course, could not divulge this.

"I got it in the holidays, sir."

The Chief was surprised and shocked at this. He could quite easily
understood that a boy should buy a crib at some second-hand bookshop in
the town, during term time, when surrounded with the general atmosphere
of Public School dishonesty; but it did seem unnatural that a boy, while
living in the clean surroundings of his home, should be scheming to
cheat his fellows and masters. The Chief said as much; Gordon did not
quite follow him. Besides everyone cribbed.

"What I can't understand, Caruthers," the Chief went on, "is that you
always assume a tremendous keenness on the School and House, of which
you give absolutely no proof in your actions except on the field. This
is the second time I have had to speak to you on this subject. Do you
imagine that the good reputation of the House depends solely on its
performance in the Thirds, or that of the School on its number of
victories in School matches?"

Gordon thought it did. But he knew that "Yes" was hardly the answer the
Chief expected. He held his peace. It was no use arguing the subject.

When he came out of the study, he met Rudd palpitating with funk.

"You didn't say anything about my lending you that crib, did you?" Rudd
was very frightened of the Chief.

"Of course not, you bloody-looking fool. The best thing you can do is to
go and get me a better crib with all possible speed, my friend. And mind
it's a decent one. The last one was rotten; and I can't do without one.
I was bottled yesterday."

In three days Rudd's agent from town had procured him a fine edition of
the Sicilian expedition. Davenport and Gordon did some superb construe
during the remainder of the term.

It is, of course, very easy to run down any existing system; and the
Public School system has come in for its fair share of abuse. Yet it
must be remembered that no one has yet been able to devise a better. And
after all, for the average man it is not such a bad training. It is
inclined to destroy individuality, to turn out a fixed pattern; it
wishes to take everyone, no matter what his tastes or ideas may be, and
make him conform to its own ideals. In the process, much good is
destroyed, for the Public School man is slack, easy-going, tolerant, is
not easily upset by scruples, laughs at good things, smiles at bad,