Finally, it was found that Duffield had in votes; whereat there were tremendous cheers and counter-cheers, not unmixed with recriminations, and imputations and threats, which promised our heroes a lively time of it when finally they adjourned to the Den.
Before that happened, however, a solemn ceremony had to be gone through, in which they were personally interested.

The chairman read out a list of new boys, and ordered them to answer to their names, and come forward on to the platform.

It was a nervous ordeal, even for the most self- composed, to be thus publicly trotted out in the presence of all Templeton, and to hear the derisive cheers with which his name and appearance were greeted as he obeyed.
"Look at his legs!" cried one, as Dick, inwardly hoping he was making a favourable impression, passed up the hall and mounted the steps.
Whereupon Dick suddenly became conscious of his lower limbs--which, by the way, were as straight and tight a pair of shanks as any boy of fourteen could boast--and tried to hide them behind a chair.
"I can see them still!" cried a shrill voice, just as he thought he had succeeded; and poor Dick, who, an hour ago, had almost forgotten he was a new boy, had to endure a storm of laughter, and look as much at his ease as he could, while all Templeton mounted on chairs, and stretched its necks to catch a glimpse of his unfortunate legs.
Heathcote came in for a similar trial on account of his blushes, and poor Aspinall positively staggered, and finally broke down under allusions to the "bottle," and "soothing syrup," and "mamma" and "sister Lottie." The Sixth had the sense not to attempt to quell the disorder till it had had a fair chance of blowing itself off.

Then Pontifex ordered the names to be put into a hat, and handed round for each of the monitors to draw.

Each monitor accordingly drew, and announced the name of his future fag.