m down. But what good ever came of them? Only rows with all the
keepers for ten miles round; and big-side Hare and Hounds is better fun
ten times over. What else?"

No answer.

"Well, I won't go on. Think it over for yourselves: you'll find, I
believe, that he don't meddle with any one that's worth keeping. And
mind now, I say again, look out for squalls, if you will go your own
way, and that way ain't the Doctor's, for it'll lead to grief. You all
know that I'm not the fellow to back a master through thick and thin. If
I saw him stopping football, or cricket, or bathing, or sparring, I'd be
as ready as any fellow to stand up about it. But he don't--he encourages
them; didn't you see him out to-day for half-an-hour watching us? (loud
cheers for the Doctor;) and he's a strong, true man, and a wise one too,
and a public-school man too. (Cheers.) And so let's stick to him, and
talk no more rot, and drink his health as the head of the house. (Loud
cheers.) And now I've done blowing up, and very glad I am to have done.
But it's a solemn thing to be thinking of leaving a place which one has
lived in and loved for eight years; and if one can say a word for the
good of the old house at such a time, why, it should be said, whether
bitter or sweet. If I hadn't been proud of the house and you--aye, no
one knows how proud--I shouldn't be blowing you up. And now let's get
to singing. But before I sit down I must give you a toast to be drunk
with three-times-three and all the honours. It's a toast which I hope
every one of us, wherever he may go hereafter, will never fail to drink
when he thinks of the brave bright days of his boyhood. It's a toast
which should bind us all together, and to those who've gone before, and
who'll come after us here. It is the dear old school-house--the best
house of the best school in England!"

My dear boys, old and young, you who have belonged, or do belong, to
other schools and other houses, don't begin throwing my poor little book
about the room, and abusing me and it, and vowing you'll read no more
when you get to this point. I allow you've provocation for it. But, come
now--would you, any of you, give a fig for a fellow who didn't believe
in, and stand up for his own house and his own school? You know you
wouldn't. Then don't object to my cracking up the old School-house,
Rugby. Haven't I a right to do it, when I'm taking all the trouble of
writing this true history for all your benefits? If you