oing to be very few football
matches; but "uppers" were played with the old keenness, and there was
fierce competition for the last places in the scrum. Ferrers wrote a
long article to _The Country_ on "The Public Schools and the War," which
bubbled over with enthusiasm.

Gordon found authority a pleasant thing. There were, of course, bound to
be little worries, but they were transient. The new boys caused him a
certain amount of trouble. They never would take the trouble to find out
if they were posted for House games. The result was that as often as not
the House found itself playing with only six forwards. Gordon made a
speech to the House on the subject. The very next day Golding, a most
wretched-looking specimen, failed to turn up on a House game.

Gordon gave him a lecture on the insignificance of the new boy and the
importance of games.

"This sort of thing can't go on," he said, using the formula that every
prefect has used since the day prefects were first made. "If it did, we
might find everyone cutting House games and going off to pick-ups! What
would happen then?"

Golding was far too frightened to have any views on the subject.

"Well, I shall have to beat you."

Gordon led the way to the empty space by the cloisters where roll was
called.

"Bend over there!"

Golding showed a natural reluctance to do anything of the sort.

"No, right down; and lift up your coat."

Gordon gave him a fairly hard stroke. Golding squealed "Oh!" and rose,
holding his trousers, and looking round fretfully. Gordon's heart
melted. After all, this was a new kid, and a pretty poor specimen at
that.

The next shot was very gentle.

The sequel reached Gordon three days later. Golding had gone back down
to the day-room. Rudd was taking hall, which was, of course, an excuse
for everyone to talk.

"How many?" asked several voices. "Did he hurt?"

"Oh, only one and a half," announced Golding, puffed out with pride.
"First hardly hurt me at all, and the second one was quite a misfire."

This was rather a surprise to those who remembered Gordon's driving
power. Golding was thought rather a "lad" after all.

Gordon, however, soon dispelled this illusion. A week later he went down
to the House game in which Golding was playing and cursed him roundly
all the afternoon with perfect justice. After tea he gave him six for
slacking: and all delusions about Golding's bravery were immediately
dispelled.

"Damned little tick,"