.

"Look here, Caruthers," he said one evening, during hall, in the last
half of the summer term, "I don't want to say anything; but you know you
are making a most awful ass of yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"You know quite well what I mean. I don't think it's your fault; it is
the fault of this rotten system under which we live. You are not what
you were when you first came. Of course, it is natural to crib and fool
about, but you are going a bit far. One day you will be captain of this
House. You'll be sorry then."

"Oh, don't be a damned ass, Betteridge, preaching to me. I know what I
am doing. It's not long that I shall have to enjoy myself. I shall be in
the Sixth soon, and shall have to slow down then. But at present I shall
do damned well what I like. After all, what does it matter if I do rot
all day and muck about generally? It makes no difference to you or the
House. It's my own damned business, and besides, everyone else does it!"

It was useless to reason with him. The argument that "others do it" is
impossible to combat. And, after all, environment is what counts, and it
is a fairly dangerous environment with which to surround any but the
average sensual being who eats, drinks, laughs and is merry, and never
thinks at all. And yet masters are surprised when they find the big man
whom they thought impregnable following the accepted customs. They say:
"What a pity! A fine fellow gone to the dogs, and after all we've done
for him, too!" and yet whose fault is it?

But this is by the wayside. For better or for worse the character of
Gordon Caruthers was developing on its own lines. Criticism should be
withheld till the last threads are woven, and we can judge of the
complex whole.

* * * * *

The summer term was drawing to a close. It had not been very successful
as far as Gordon was concerned. His cricket had frankly been a failure,
and the prominence he had gained in his House hardly compensated for the
misgivings with which the Chief and Buller regarded his future. It
seemed as if he could not help running up against "the Bull."

A-K was knocked out of the Senior House competition at once. They drew
Christy's and were beaten by an innings. Gordon made eleven and fifteen,
and was missed three times while making them. Foster, however, got a
very sturdy thirty-three not out, and took three wickets. He got his
House cap. Gordon was furious, and swore that he was jolly w