nt you, if I go and snivel to him,
and tell him I've really tried to learn it but found it so hard without
a translation, or say I've had a toothache, or any humbug of that kind,
I'm a snob. That's my school morality; it's served me--and you too, Tom,
for the matter of that--these five years. And it's all clear and fair,
no mistake about it. We understand it, and they understand it, and I
don't know what we're to come to with any other."

Tom looked at him pleased, and a little puzzled. He had never heard East
speak his mind seriously before, and couldn't help feeling how
completely he had hit his own theory and practice up to that time.

"Thank you, old fellow," said he. "You're a good old brick to be
serious, and not put out with me. I said more than I meant, I dare say,
only you see I know I'm right: whatever you and Gower and the rest do, I
shall hold on--I must. And as it's all new and an up-hill game, you see,
one must hit hard and hold on tight at first."

"Very good," said East; "hold on and hit away, only don't hit under the
line."

"But I must bring you over, Harry, or I shan't be comfortable. Now, I
allow all you've said. We've always been honourable enemies with the
masters. We found a state of war when we came, and went into it of
course. Only don't you think things are altered a good deal? I don't
feel as I used to the masters. They seem to me to treat one quite
differently."

"Yes, perhaps they do," said East; "there's a new set, you see, mostly,
who don't feel sure of themselves yet. They don't want to fight till
they know the ground."

"I don't think it's only that," said Tom. "And then the Doctor, he does
treat one so openly, and like a gentleman, and as if one was working
with him."

"Well, so he does," said East; "he's a splendid fellow, and when I get
into the sixth I shall act accordingly. Only you know he has nothing to
do with our lessons now, except examining us. I say, though," looking at
his watch, "it's just the quarter. Come along."

As they walked out they got a message to say, "that Arthur was just
starting and would like to say good-bye;" so they went down to the
private entrance of the School-house, and found an open carriage, with
Arthur propped up with pillows in it, looking already better, Tom
thought.

They jumped up on to the steps to shake hands with him, and Tom mumbled
thanks for the presents he had found in his study, and looked round
anxiously for Arthur's mother.