e big enough to keep him many nights in unloading it.

Dick and Heathcote led their junior partner rejoicing to the
housekeeper, and assisted in counting out his shirts and socks. They
then took him to show him off in the lobbies, deserting him once or
twice, to his consternation, in order to greet some crony or take part
in a mild shindy in the studies.

The presence of their "new kid" inspired them with a wonderful fund of
humour and audacity. His astonishment flattered them and his panics
delighted them. With a lively recollection of their own experiences
last term, they took care he should be wandering in the Quad when the
"dredger" came its rounds; and, for fear he should miss the warm
consolations of a lower third "Scrunch," they organised one for his
special benefit, and had the happiness of seeing him rising in the
middle, scared and puffing, with cheeks the colour of a peony. All the
while they tried to figure as his protectors, and demanded credit for
getting him through his ordeals in a way he would by no means have got,
if left, as they had been, to his own resources.

Nor were they wholly unoriginal in their endeavours to make him feel at
home in his new surroundings.

"By George! it's ten minutes to dinner-time," said Dick, looking at the
clock. "There'll be a frightful row if you are late first day, and
you've barely time to dress."

"Dress! I am dressed," said Coote, in alarm.

"You muff, you're not in your flannels. Think of a new fellow turning
up to Hall first day not in his flannels, eh, Georgie?"

"My eye!" said Georgie; "what a row there'd be!"

"Cut as hard as ever you can, and put them on. Better not show up till
just as the clock strikes, in case fellows humbug you. We'll be near
the door and show you where to sit."

"Whatever should I have done," thought the grateful Coote to himself, as
he rushed off to don his brand-new flannels, "if it hadn't been for
those two bricks?"

The "two bricks" waited somewhat anxiously near the door of the Hall for
their "new kid," and as the clock began to strike they had the joy of
seeing him dart resplendent across the Quad, keeping in the shade as
much as possible, and looking nervously up at the clock.

"Lamm it on!" called Heathcote, as the bell ceased and the breathless
athlete ran into their arms.

"Am I all right?" asked the victim.

"So-so," said they, surveying him critically, "but you'd better carry
your coat over your arm. Lo