The baronet for instance, was called upon to enter for the second class of kicking the football contest, and Arthur was moved from the quarter-mile to the half-mile, because a good man was wanted there to beat Smythe, of the School-House, whereas Sherriff could very well be trusted to take care of the quarter-mile for Railsford's house.
Mr Railsford presently arrived on the scene, and went into the whole programme enthusiastically, and in a way which won him friends among the boys, more even than his reputed authorship of the Bickers outrage had lately done.

He invited any boys who chose during the next few days to try over their event in his presence, and suggested that a record of the times should be carefully kept, with a view to ensure that each trial should beat the last.
More than that, he offered a prize for the best all-round record in the house; and proposed that, although they were not rich enough to give prizes for each event, any boy who beat the School record in his competition should receive back his entrance fee.

This practical suggestion gave much satisfaction.
"Of course," said he, to one or two of those round him, "it is harder to run against time than against another fellow.

You must make up your minds for that; and I would advise you to try to get the two best in our house to enter for each event, so as to get the spur of a close race.
Our times are sure to be the better for it." Boys liked him for that word "our." It sounded like a common cause, and they were quick to hail the first symptom of such feeling in a master.
The next fortnight witnessed a smart athletic fever in the house.

Of course, it soon spread abroad what Railsford's was up to, and the School form generally improved in consequence.