uld have made the state
of Bloomfield's mind clearer.

But a day or two later the last glimmer of doubt was removed by the
proceedings which took place in that august assembly, the Willoughby
Parliament.

Honourable members assembled in large numbers, as they always did after
any special school excitement, and even had this inducement been
lacking, the significant sentence, "Resignation of Mr Bloomfield--
Election of President," on the notice-board would have sufficed to pack
the house.

Riddell had implored Bloomfield not to take this step, or at least to
defer it to the beginning of the next term. But he might as well have
pleaded with a lamp-post. The Parrett's captain was inexorable.

"No," said he; "if it was the last day of the term I'd do it. It would
serve me right if I was kicked round the school for sticking there so
long."

Before the business began Crossfield rose and asked to be allowed to put
a question. This was the signal for a general buzz of anticipation
which was not lessened by the sight of Messrs. Game and Ashley looking
very uncomfortable where they sat.

"I should like to ask Mr Game, whom I see present, if he will kindly
report to the House the proceedings of the last special meeting, which
he summoned in the interests of the honour of the school. I hope the
gentleman will speak out, as we are all anxious to hear him."

Game blushed up to the roots of his hair, and dug his hands in his
pocket, and tried to look as unconcerned as possible at the laughter
which greeted this innocent question.

As he made no offer to reply, Crossfield thereupon regaled the House
with a highly facetious report of that famous meeting, amid much
laughter and cheers, not a few of which were directed to the heroic
"Skyrockets." This little diversion being at an end, it was suggested
by the Chair that perhaps the matter might now drop, which, greatly to
the relief of the discomfited ex-monitors, it accordingly did, and after
a few other questions the orders of the day were reached.

"Gentlemen," said Bloomfield, rising and speaking nervously, but
resolutely, "you will see by the notice-paper that I am going to resign
the office of President of the Willoughby Parliament. (No, no.)
Gentlemen, there's a proverb which says, `It's never too late to mend.'
That's the principle on which I am doing this now. I've been in this
chair under false pretences. (No, no.) I was elected here under false
pretences. (