n. 'Pon my
word, I won't. So I said 'No.' That's odd, because it's not easy for me
to say 'No.' The governor pointed that out last hols. Somehow, I can't
say 'No,' particularly if there's any excitement in saying 'Yes.' And my
beastly 'No' hurt, did it? Well, I'm very, _very_ sorry."

He held out his hand, which John took. Then, for a moment, there was a
pause before Desmond continued awkwardly--

"You know, Jonathan, that the Demon is my pal. You like him better than
you did, don't you?"

John had the tact not to speak; but he shook his head dolefully.

"And I couldn't chuck him, even if I wanted to, which I don't--which I
don't," he repeated, with an air of satisfying himself rather than John.
And John divined that Scaife's hold upon Desmond's affections was not so
strong as he had deemed it to be. Desmond continued, "But I want you,
too, old Jonathan, and if--if----"

"All right," said John, nobly. He perceived that Desmond's loyalty to
Scaife made him hesitate and flush. "I understand, Caesar, and if I can't
be first, let me be second; only, remember, with me you're first, rain
or shine."

Desmond looked uneasy. "Isn't that a case of 'heads I win, tails you
lose'?"

John considered; then he smiled cheerfully, "You know you are a winner,
Caesar. You're cut out for a winner; you can win whatever you want to
win."

"Oh, that's all rot," said Desmond. He looked very grave, and in his
eyes lay shadows which John had never seen before.

And so ended John's first year at Harrow.

FOOTNOTES:

[25] All Public Houses are out of bounds.

CHAPTER VII

_Reform_

"'It must be a gran' thing to be a colledge profissor.'

"'Not much to do,' said Mr. Hennessy.

"'But a gr--reat deal to say,' said Mr. Dooley."

When John returned to the Hill at the beginning of the winter term the
great change had taken place. Rutford had assumed the duties of
Professor of Greek at a Scotch University; Warde was in possession of
the Manor; Scaife and Desmond and John--but not the Caterpillar--had got
their remove. They were Fifth Form boys--and in tails! John, it is true,
although tougher and broader, was still short for his years and juvenile
of appearance, but Scaife and Desmond were quite big fellows, and their
new coats became them mightily. Trieve was Head of the House; Lovell,
Captain of the House football Eleven and in the Lower Sixth.

"Lovell will have to behave himself now," the Duffer remarked t