se
that if you are going to be a real power in the House, if you are going
to fight the masters, as you say you will, you can't afford to fling
away points? You must appear impregnable. Don't be an ass. A master
holds all the high cards. If you play into his hand, he has you done to
the world. Suppose you were caught going out at night your last year,
what would happen? You might get the sack at once; and all your
rebellion would be wasted. And, mark you, a rebellion is wanted. There
is real need of a man who has the strength of his opinions and sticks
out. What's the use of it if you go and get sacked? Of course, they
might keep you on, and ask you to go at the end of the term to save your
face. What would your position be then? You would be bound hand and
foot, powerless to do anything. Life would slip past you. You have got
to be above suspicion. Think, however much you may want to do a thing
now, however much praise you may think an action of yours would get,
stop and consider how it will appear two years hence. A really serious
row might knock you out for the rest of your time here: a bad name
sticks. Remember that. Think of the day when you are going to be a real
power, and stand up for the independence of the individual to think as
he likes, not as Buller likes; for the independence of the House to run
itself. 'The Bull' runs our house to-day. You hear men say, 'We can't do
that, Buller would be sick!' You have to free them of Buller's tyranny,
if you are going to be a man; and if you do, you can't fight in rusty
armour. These masters may be fools, but they have the cards."

Gordon listened to Tester's flow of words. He was furious. But when at
last lights were put out and he lay back in bed and watched the stars
steadfast in love and splendour, and the moon immutable, enigmatic,
smiling quietly, he appreciated the truth of Tester's argument. A great
battle was before him; he would have to go into it strong and prepared
at every point. There must be no chink in his coat of mail.

Some day his hour would come; till then he had to wait in patience, and
during the long vigil he would keep his shield clean of rust. He would
have to think, to weigh his decisions, to keep before his eyes the goal
towards which his ambition was set.

CHAPTER III: BROADENING OUTLOOK

Like a huge reel of thread the long winter term unrolled itself.
November drifted by with its gusty winds that shrieked in the empty
cloisters.