Come here, you fellows," said the master, walking into the playground
one morning, with a piece of paper in his hand; "I've got something to
speak about."

The boys crowded round, wondering what was up.

"I've got hero a challenge from Horace House to play a match against
them, either on our ground or on theirs. I think it's a pity that you
shouldn't have an opportunity of playing against strangers. Of course
they are bigger and heavier than we are, and we should probably get
licked; but that isn't the question: any sportsman would sooner play a
losing game than no game at all, and it'll be good practice. We always
used to have a match with them every term; but some little time ago
there seemed to be a lack--well, I'll say of good sportsmen among them,
and the meetings had to be abandoned. I've talked the matter over with
Mr. Welsby, and he seems willing to give the thing another trial."

An excited murmur ran through the crowd.

"Wait a minute," interrupted the speaker, holding up his hand.
"Mr. Welsby has left it with me to make arrangements for the match, and
I shall only do so on one condition. I know that since the event
happened to which I referred a moment ago a decidedly unfriendly spirit
has existed between you and the boys at Mr. Phillips's. Now an
exhibition of this feeling on a football field would be a disgrace to
the school. You must play like gentlemen, and there must be no
wrangling or disputing. They are agreeable for a master to play on each
side, so I shall act as captain. Anything that has to be said must be
left to me, and I shall see you get fair play. Do you clearly
understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well, then, I'll write and say we shall be pleased to play them
here on Saturday week."

The prospect of mooting the Philistines in the open field filled the
mind of every boy with one thought, and the whole establishment went
football mad. It was played in the schoolroom and passages with empty
ink-pots and balls of paper, in the bedrooms with slippers and sponges,
and even in their dreams fellows kicked the bed-clothes off, and woke up
with cries of "Goal!" on their lips.

Mr. Blake arranged the order of the team, and remarking that they would
need a good defence, put himself and Shaw as full backs. Acton took
centre forward, with Jack Vance on his right, while Diggory was told off
to keep goal.

At length the eventful morning arrived. Class 2 came utterly to grief
in their w