On an emergency they could and would turn out, and their broad backs and sturdy arms generally gave a good account of themselves.

But as a general rule they grieved their friends by an eccentric habit of "mugging," which, as anybody knows, is a most uncomfortable and alarming symptom in a boy of a house such as Railsford's.

True, there were among them a few noble spirits who never did a stroke of work unless under compulsion; but as a rule the Fifth- form fellows in Railsford's lay under the imputation of being studious, and took very little trouble to clear their characters.

Only when the school sports came round, or the house matches, their detractors used to forgive them.
The four prefects, to whom the reader has been already introduced, divided among them the merits and shortcomings of their juniors.

Ainger and Felgate, though antagonistic by nature, were agreed as to an aggressive foreign policy; while Barnworth and of course the amiable Stafford considered there was quite enough work to do at home without going afield.