ening two or three evenings a week, say two, when he's been
at work all day. It be a good deal to ask a man, that is."

"It be, surely," Harry said; "but what a sight o' good it would do, and
if his woife be willing to give oop her time to the girls, maybe he
would do as much for us." There was a pause again. Several of the lads
looked irresolute.

"Well," Bill Cummings said, "I be ready for another if some more of 'ee
will join't." The example was contagious. Four others agreed to join.

"Come," Harry Shepherd said, "it bean't no use if Jack can't tell
schoolmaister that a dozen o' us will come in ef he will open a school
two nights a week. You'll join, woan't you, Fred Wood?"

"Oi allers hated my books," Fred said, "and used to be bottom o' class.
It ain't as I doan't believe what Jack Simpson says; there be no doubt
as it would be a sight better look-out if one got to be fond o' books,
and such loike. I doan't believe as ever I shall be, but I doan't mind
giving it a trial for six months, and if at the end o' that time I
doan't like it, why I jacks it oop."

The adhesion of this seemingly reluctant recruit settled the matter.
Even John Jordan yielded upon the same terms, and the whole party,
fifteen in number, put down their names, and Jack Simpson undertook to
speak to Mr Dodgson.

"See how we shall get laughed at," John Jordan said. "Why, we shall get
made fun o' by the whole place."

"Let 'em laugh," Jack said, "they won't laugh long. I never was laughed
at, and why should you be? They canna call us Jennies, for we sixteen
will play any sixteen wi'in five miles round, at any game they like, or
fight 'em if it comes to that. We has only got to stick together. I
sha'n't be one of the night-school, but I am one wi' you, and we'll just
stick together. Don't let us mind if they do laugh; if they go on at it,
and I doubt they will, just offer to fight anyone your own size, and if
he be bigger than you like I'll take him in hand."

"That's it," Harry Shepherd said enthusiastically; "we'll stick
together, and you see how we'll get on; and look here, I vote we each
pay threepence a week, that will get us a room at two bob, and candles.
Then we can work a' night wi'out being disturbed."

"This be a good idea o' thine, Harry. I'll give my threepence a week as
well as the rest, and I'll come in on the nights when you don't go to
school and help any that wants it."

"Yes," Bill Cummings said, "and we'll send round c