In spite of him we're going to make Railsford's the cock house at Grandcourt! That will be the best way to pay him out, and it will take us all our time to do it, without dirtying our fingers over him." Ainger concluded amidst a burst of cheers which quite took him aback, and the meeting dispersed enthusiastically to talk over the wonderful programme, and take the first steps towards carrying it out.
The captain's words came upon most of the fellows as a surprise that there could be any other way out of their present misfortunes than by submitting to them tamely and giving up the glory of their house as a bad job.

The audacious proposal first took their breath away, and then took possession of them.

They would have their revenge; and here was a way open to them.

It scarcely occurred to any but the experienced seniors that there would be any difficulty in making Ainger's bold predictions true.

Arthur for instance, having heard it publicly announced that he was about to win the Swift Exhibition, thought and behaved as if the prize were already in his hands.
"Twenty pounds a-year for three years," said he complacently, to his ally.