Cheek! Why, it's Cash and my young
brother. I say, let's go and drive them off, you fellows."

So the four descended, and a brisk scrimmage ensued, which resulted in
the complete rout of the invaders and the capture of their football.

With which tremendous prize the victorious army returned to quarters and
continued their discussion on moral reform.

"Yes, as I was saying, we shall have to stick to it a bit. But young
Stratton'll make it worth our while, I fancy."

This hidden allusion to the tea and cake completed the speaker's
argument, and the party forthwith sat down with one ink-pot among them
for preparation.

As it happened, the preparation for the day was an English Essay on
"Your favourite Animal," with special attention to the spelling and the
stops.

It was always a sore point with the Classic juniors to be set an English
lesson. They could understand being taught Latin, but they considered
they ought to be exempt from writing and spelling their own language.
It wasn't Classics, and they didn't like it, and they oughtn't to be let
in for it. However, it was no use growling; and as the subject (apart
from the spelling and points) was a congenial one, it seemed a fair
opening for the commencement of their reformed career.

"Look here," said Wally, "don't let's all have the same beast. I'm
going to have a dog."

"Oh, I wanted a dog," said Fisher minor.

"Can't; he's bagged. Have a cat?"

"No, I don't like cats--can't I write about a dog too?"

"That would be rot. Haven't you got the whole of Noah's Ark to pick
from--lions, tigers, ants, hippopotamuses, cobra de capellos?"

"How much?" asked D'Arcy. "Are they good to eat?"

"Uncommon good. Will you take cobra de capellos?"

"Ah right," said D'Arcy; "I don't mind."

"I shall take pigs," said Ashby.

"There you are," said Wally; "there's lots left. You have cows, kid--"

"No--if you won't let me have the dog--"

"Dog in the Wheatfield. Joke!--laugh, you chaps," interjected D'Arcy.

"I shall have rabbits," said Fisher minor.

"Good old rabbits! Did you ever keep any? What were their names?" said
Wally.

"Don't you know?" said Ashby, solemnly. "One was called `How' and the
other `Now,' weren't they, Fisher minor?"

Whereupon there was mirth at the expense of Fisher minor.

Silence having been procured, D'Arcy began to write.

"`Cobbrer de Capillars is my favrite--' What is it? Bird, beast, or
fish, Wally?"

"Shut up;