"It's a sort of family affair, you see.
It's half a pity he can't know that we've bowled him out and are sticking to him.

But I suppose it's best not to let him suspect it." "No--better keep it all dark.

He'll know all about it some day." And the two confederates went to bed happy that night, in the consciousness that they were restored to one another's confidence, and that they were standing between their miscreant "kinsman" and the punishment which properly belonged to his crime.

On the following morning a notice appeared on the common room door, signed by Ainger, summoning the house to meet after tea on particular business.

The important business had no connection with the _affaire Bickers_, but was the captain's first move towards pulling up the house to the proud position he designed for it.
"Now, you fellows," said he, in the course of a short spirited speech, "I needn't tell you that our house is down on its luck this term.
(Cheers.) We are in the black books of the doctor, as you know--and we can't well help it.