two gentlemen ceased, and at the
sound of the House tutor's tread down the passage they fled very
ingloriously to their own abode. Mr Parkinson, the House tutor, was one
of the most popular masters in the school. He had only just missed his
blue at Oxford, and since he had gone down had devoted all his energies
to training on the junior members of the House at football and cricket.
He was in rather a hurry this particular evening, as he had to make out
the list of studies, but he shook hands with everyone, and asked all the
new boys their names before turning out the lights, with instructions
not to kick up too much row.

At last Gordon was at rest. For ten hours at least he would not have to
worry about anything. He lay back in bed contentedly and listened to the
conversation. As was natural, the talk was at first only about the
holidays, but it soon drifted round to school politics, and one Bradford
began to hold forth on the composition of the Fifteen, as if he was the
captain's bosom friend. To Gordon, of course, most of the names
mentioned signified nothing. He gathered that the great Lovelace was
going to be captain and was sure to have rows with Buller the games
master, but besides this he picked up very little. Gradually the
conversation turned on individuals, and especially on a certain
Meredith, who was apparently a double-first, with a reputation that did
not end on the cricket pitch.

"You know I think Meredith goes a bit too far at times," came a voice
from the middle of the room.

Bradford rose at once. "What the hell do you mean? Meredith go too far?
Why, he is a splendid wicket-keeper, and far and away the finest
half-back in the school. You must allow a good deal to a blood like
him."

"Oh, I know he is a magnificent athlete and all that, but don't you
think he does rather a lot of harm in the House?"

"Harm? Who to?"

"Well, I mean there's Davenham now and----"

"Davenham!" came the scornful retort. "What does it matter what happens
to Davenham? He's absolutely useless to the House, rotten at games and
spends his whole time reading about fossils. Who cares a curse about
Davenham!"

"Oh, I suppose you are right, but----"

"My dear ass, of course I am right. Meredith is a simply glorious
fellow. Do you remember the way he brought down Freeman in the Two Cock?
Why, the House simply couldn't get on without him."

To Gordon all this conveyed very little. He had no idea who Meredith or
Davenha