CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
A FLY IN THE OINTMENT.
Ainger's prediction that the house was not likely to get much backing-up in its new efforts from Felgate, looked likely enough to be fulfilled.
While everyone else was full of athletic and scholastic fervour, he remained listless and even sulky.

Some said it was because Ainger had proposed the great scheme, and Felgate disdained to play second riddle even to the captain.

Others said it was because he could not win anything even if he tried.

Others darkly hinted that he was one of the authors of the house's present disgrace; and others whispered that there was no love lost between Railsford and his fourth prefect.

In this last conjecture the gossips were right.