Nor, strange to say, did the school-work suffer in consequence.

The idlers in the Shell, being in the way of spurts, took a sudden spurt of interest in class-- partly for fear of being excluded by detention or otherwise from Saturday's celebration, and partly because the healthy condition of their bodies had begotten for the time being a healthier condition of mind.

Arthur and the baronet actually knew their syntax for two days running, and the astounding phenomenon of a perfectly empty detention- room occurred on both the Friday and the Saturday.

The latter event was specially satisfactory to Railsford, as he was able to secure the services of Monsieur Lablache as assistant-judge--not exactly a popular appointment, but, failing any better, one which fellows had to make the best of.
The house rose that Saturday morning with a full sense of the crisis which was upon it.

Despite Felgate's sneers, and the jealous ridicule which floated in from outside on their efforts, they felt that they stood face to face with a great chance.