r in his eagerness.

The spinster, who had already received in her own opinion sufficient
affront for one evening, put the worst construction possible on this
accident, and answered with evident ill-temper, "You are very clumsy,
sir!"

"I beg your pardon, indeed!" said Fairbairn. "I hope you are not hurt?"

"Be silent, sir!"

Fairbairn, quite taken aback by this unexpected exclamation, did not
know what to say, and looked round inquiringly at the doctor, as much as
to ask if the lady was often taken this way.

The doctor, however, volunteered no explanation, but looked
uncomfortable and coughed.

"If you will excuse me," said Miss Stringer to her sister, with a forced
severity of tone, "I will go to my room."

"You are not well, I fear," said Mrs Patrick. "I will go with you";
and next moment the enemy was gone, and the doctor and his boys were
together.

Dr Patrick, who, to tell the truth, seemed scarcely less relieved than
his visitors, made no attempt to apologise for Miss Stringer's sudden
indisposition, and embarked at once on a friendly talk about school
affairs.

This had been his only object in inviting the boys. He had nothing
momentous to say, and no important change to propose. Indeed, his
object appeared to be more to get them to talk among themselves on
matters of common interest to the school, and to let them see that his
sympathy was with them in their efforts for the public good.

No reference was made to the state of affairs in Parrett's, or to the
rivalries of the two captains. That the doctor knew all about these
matters no one doubted, but he took the wise course of leaving them to
right themselves, and at the same time of making it very clear what his
opinions were of the effect of disunion and divided interest in a great
public school.

Altogether the evening was profitably and pleasantly spent, and when at
length the boys took their leave it was with increased respect for the
head master and one another.

The ladies, greatly to their relief, did not return to the scene.

"Miss Stringer," said Fairbairn, as the three walked together across the
quadrangle, "doesn't seem to appreciate cricket."

The others laughed.

"I say," said Bloomfield, "you put your foot into it awfully! She
thought you were chaffing her all the time."

"Did she? What a pity!" replied Fairbairn.

"Of course, we were bound to help you out when you were once in,"
continued Bloomfield. "But I don't f