So they form themselves into a very snug and exclusive little coterie, and I for one don't blame them. But send them along to me, and I will deal faithfully with them." To the Quartette the Head pointed out that there is a time and place for everything, and that rules, if not enforced, bring mockery and discredit upon their authors. "Bridge is an excellent game," he said, "and a true mental gymnastic. But there happens to be a regulation here which forbids the playing of cards by boys among themselves. We need not go into the soundness of that regulation: the only relevant point is that you have broken it. You are big boys, and the bigger the boy the bigger the offence. I am going to make the punishment fit the crime by asking Mr. Brett to turn you out of your studies for the rest of the term. For the next four weeks you will consort with the _profanum vulgus_ in your House Common Room, where I fancy that bridge and other intellectual pursuits are not much cultivated. Now you can go." The Quartette turned dismally towards the door. It was a stiff sentence. But the Head had not quite finished. "It would be interesting," he added drily, "to know whether you play bridge because you like it or because you think it a grand thing to do. Come and dine with me on Saturday night, and we will have a rubber." "Sportsman, the old Head!" commented Philip, as they walked across the quadrangle. "My word, yes!" said the other three. CHAPTER XIV THE IRON AGE MR. MABLETHORPE was much interested when Philip told him the story in the holidays. "The Head is all right," he said. "He was only a housemaster in my day, but there was no doubting his quality, even then. But this man Brett is a national disaster. Do you think you can derive any further profit from remaining his disciple?" No, Philip thought not. * * * * * So Philip arrived at Coventry at last, having started some years previously, it may be remembered.