game, but as the real business of life. That was what
rankled. Caruthers would laugh when he dropped a catch in a Colts match,
or missed his collar on the upper; but in a House match his face would
be set, his eyes wide and eager. Humour had for the moment ceased to
exist, as far as he was concerned. He clearly preferred his house to his
school. Was he stirring up any feeling between the outhouses and the
School House? He remembered an occasion terms back when Gordon in a
House game had shouted out: "Let the swine have it." Then, again, there
was that affair of bribing Burgoyne to lay out one of his men. And then
the incident this afternoon. Outwardly he was doing his very best to
separate the interests of his house from those of the school, to split
Fernhurst into two factions. But supposing, after all, these were merely
outward signs, supposing Gordon's excessive keenness, coupled with the
rash hotheadedness of youth, led him where his cooler judgment would
have checked him. If that were so, and if strong measures were taken,
might not his keenness change into a hatred of Fernhurst, might it not
lead him to open antagonism with the rest of the school? Punishment
might merely inflame and not crush him, while if his feelings were only
the natural effervescence of youth, they would wear down in time, and
then all would be well. Yet he realised that it is the things which show
that count in this world, a man is judged not by what he is, but by what
he appears to be. Everything pointed to the belief that Gordon was
working against the interests of Fernhurst; whether he actually meant to
do so or not was immaterial. He had to be dealt with as if it was
deliberate. It might be hard on him, but it was not the interests of the
individual, but of the community, that had to be considered.

"The Bull" sent for Akerman, the school captain, after chapel on Sunday
morning.

"Akerman, I want to speak to you about Caruther's behaviour in the Two
Cock yesterday afternoon. Of course, I did not see what happened, but
from what I have heard I think measures ought to be taken. It is a
serious matter. Light measures are no good. I know Caruthers; you have
got to crush him, or he will laugh at you. I think what is required is a
thrashing from the Games Committee. He is bound to be awed by the
disapproval of a body representing Fernhurst football. I suppose now
that the Games Committee wouldn't raise any objection? What about
Hazelton?"