t appeared to
dawn on the question, and as going back to bed would be a farce, he
proceeded to dress.

He had just completed his toilet when he heard some one moving in the
next study.

"There's Fairbairn getting up," he said to himself. "I wonder if he
could help me?"

He thought he could. And yet, under the nervous exterior of this boy
there lurked a certain pride which held him back from acting on the
impulse. After all, if he was to do the work, why should he try to
shunt part of his responsibility on to another?

So, though he went to his friend's study, he said nothing about the
batch of juniors from whom he expected a morning call.

Fairbairn was arraying himself in his boating things, and greeted his
friend cheerily.

"Hullo, Riddell, here's an early start for you!"

"Yes," said Riddell; "I couldn't sleep very well, so I thought I might
as well get up."

"Best thing for you. But why haven't you your flannels on?"

"I'm not going out," said Riddell. "Besides, I don't believe I have
flannels," added he.

"What, a Willoughby captain and no flannels! You'll have to get a suit
at once, do you hear? But, I say, why don't you come down to the river
with Porter and me? We're going to have a little practice spin, and you
could steer us. It would do you more good than sticking indoors. Come
along."

Riddell protested he would rather not, and that he couldn't steer; but
Fairbairn pooh-poohed both objections, and finally carried off his man
to the river, where his unwonted appearance in the stern of the
schoolhouse pair-oar caused no little astonishment and merriment among
the various early visitors who usually frequented the waters of the
Craydle.

Despite these unflattering remarks, and despite the constant terror he
was in of piloting his boat into the bank, or running foul of other
boats, Riddell decidedly enjoyed his little outing, the more so as the
exercise and occupation drove away entirely for a time all thoughts of
the coming visit of the ill-behaved juniors.

But as soon as he returned to the school the prospect of this ordeal
began again to haunt him, and spoilt morning chapel for him completely.

As he stood during the service in his captain's place he could not
prevent his eye wandering hurriedly down the ranks of boys opposite and
wondering how many of them he would be called upon to interview in his
study before the term was over. As he reached the end of the array his
eye rest