"Hullo! here come the new boys." Time did not appear to have endowed our heroes yet with confidence or elegance in the art of ascending the Templeton platform.

Dick still retained a painful recollection of his legs, and Heathcote was torn asunder by the cruel vagaries of his high collar, which would not keep on the button, but insisted on heeling over, choker and all, at critical moments to one side.

Aspinall made a more respectable show, for he was too nervous to bestow a thought on his dress, or to notice the curious eyes turned upon him from remote corners.
New boys were always presented by their seniors, and it was a critical moment when Cresswell, taking Dick and Aspinall, one by each arm, said in an audible voice:-- "Captain, allow me to introduce Mr Richardson and Mr Aspinall, two new boys." Dick bowed as gracefully as he could, and watched the captain's hand sharply, in case it might show signs of expecting to be shaken, which it did, with a cheery-- "Very glad to see you, Richardson.

I hear you won the new boys' race.
You've got a good trainer in Cresswell.

How do you do, Aspinall?
Feeling more at home here, aren't you?
I recollect how lost I was the first time I tumbled into school." "Captain, allow me to introduce Mr Heathcote," said Pledge.
Poor Heathcote, whose choker had now got round to his back, turned crimson, and said, "Thank you," and then made a grab at the captain's hand, by way of hiding his confusion.
"Ah, how are you, Heathcote ?" said the magnate kindly.