The cake fetched a shilling, and Diggory and Vance bid ninepence each for the book and pocket-knife; so Mugford came out of his difficulty without suffering any further loss than what was afterwards made good again by the generosity of his two comrades.

They, for their part, made no fuss over this little act of kindness, but handed the book and clasp-knife over to Mugford without waiting for the money, and little thinking what an important part these trifling possessions would play in the subsequent history of the Triple Alliance.
The sale had not long been concluded, and the little community were preparing to obey Acton's order to "Come outside," when the latter rushed into the room finning with rage.
"I say," he exclaimed, "what do you think that beast of a Noaks has done?
Why, he's gone and put ashes all over our slide!" In their heart of hearts every one felt decidedly relieved at this announcement; still it was necessary, at all events, to simulate some of their leader's wrath, and accordingly there was a general outcry against the offender.
"Oh, the cad!"-- "What an awful shame!"-- "Let's tell Blake!" etc., etc.
"Who is Noaks ?" asked Diggory.

"Is he that sour-looking man who brings the boots in every morning ?" "Yes, that's so," answered Vance.

"He hates us all--partly, I believe, because his son's a Philistine.

I wonder old Welsby doesn't get another man." "His son's a _what ?_" asked Diggory; but at that moment Acton came marching round the room ordering every one out into the playground, and Jack Vance hurried off to get his cap and muffler without replying to the question.
Sliding was out of the question, and the "House of Lords" having amused themselves for a time by capturing small boys and throwing them into the snow-drift, some one remarked that it would be good fun to build a snow man; which proposition was received with acclamation, and all hands were soon hard at work rolling the big balls which were to form the base of the statue.