[24] #Verger#: here, the porter.

[25] #Pellets#: wads of paper.

As soon as dinner was over, and Tom had been questioned by such
neighbors as were curious as to his birth, parentage, education, and
other like matters, East, who evidently enjoyed his new dignity of
patron and Mentor, proposed having a look at the close,[26] which Tom,
athirst for knowledge, gladly assented to, and they went out through
the quadrangle and passed the fives' court,[27] into the great
play-ground.

[26] #Close#: this close or play-ground contains something
over thirteen acres.

[27] #Fives' court#: the space set apart for playing fives, a
game resembling tennis.

"That's the chapel you see," said East, "and there just behind it is
the place for fights; you see it's most out of the way of the masters,
who all live on the other side and don't come by here after the first
lesson or callings-over. That's when the fights come off. And all this
part where we are is the little side-ground, right up to the trees,
and on the other side of the trees is the big side-ground, where the
great matches are played. And there's the island[28] in the farthest
corner; you'll know that well enough next half, when there's island
fagging.[29] I say, it's horrid cold! let's have a run across;" and
away went East, Tom close behind him. East was evidently putting his
best foot foremost, and Tom, who was mighty proud of his running, and
not a little anxious to show his friend that although a new boy he was
no milk-sop, laid himself down to the work in his very best style.
Right across the close they went, each doing all he knew, and there
wasn't a yard between them, when they pulled up at the island-moat.

[28] #Island#: the island no longer exists.

[29] #Fagging#: the power given the sixth form, by authority
and the custom of the school, to require the boys of the lower
forms or classes to do errands, and act as servants generally.
The system still has its defenders who regard it as a means of
discipline.

"I say," said East, as soon as he got his wind, looking with much
increased respect at Tom, "you aren't a bad scud, not by no means.
Well, I'm warm as toast now."

WHITE TROUSERS IN NOVEMBER.

"But why do you wear white trousers in November?" said Tom. He had
been struck by this peculiarity in the costume of almost all the
School-house boys.

"Why, bless us, don't you know?--No, I forgot. Why, to-day's