The crisis between Dick, Tenny, and Ande came about in this way. The form had started in on the study of Virgil, and thought it exceedingly hard after the simple, narrative discourse of Cæsar's Commentaries. Master Sherwood was not sparing in his assigning of lessons, and had assigned a few lines in addition to the regular, allotted portion. There was much secret dissatisfaction, and especially from Dullhead Dick. The thing had occurred once before and they had universally decided not to read more than the generally allotted portion. Ande had been the soul of honour on that occasion, had refused to read, and the Master had passed him over lightly as he was a new fifth form lad. To his surprise several of the fifth arose when called upon and recited the extra portion. Now, disgusted with the whole fifth, he refused to assemble with them to consider their grievances. The secret conclave was called and the decision made, but they stupidly said nothing to their absent member. The eventful recitation came, and the close of the allotted portion read by Ande himself. Then he paused. "Proceed," said Sherwood. "If you do," growled Dick, who was next in line, "you'll take a licking after school." The whispered threat exasperated the reader, and he proceeded resolutely on. Dick gave him a sly kick under the bench in his rage. "Æolus, haec contra; Tuos, O regina, quid optes Explorare labor; mihi jussa capessere fas est.'" "Stop there," said the master. "You may begin, Richard Thomas." "We haven't got any farther," blurted out Dick. "Ah! I thought I assigned to the eightieth line." "We only take thirty-five lines," persisted Dick. "Master Thomas, will you recite?" sternly asked the master. Dick made no movement, but sat in dogged and sullen silence. "Very well," said Mr. Sherwood, "you may write out the next thirty lines and commit them to memory." "I'll pay you back," growled Dick to Ande, as he gave him a fierce nudge. "Tenny, you may scan and translate." Tenny, the head, did not dare disobey, although he had promised with the others not to read the extra portion, and even had not studied it. He, however, trusting in his natural ability, thought he could weather through. He began, but stumbled lamentably until Mr. Sherwood, incensed, gave his lines to the next, who made as bad a failure of them; and so it continued until Ande was again reached. Mr. Sherwood compressed his lips. "Well, Trembath, we'll try you again." Ande arose and scanned and translated in a truly commendable manner. "Master Trembath, you have done credit to those lines," said Mr. Sherwood, well pleased. "You have saved the credit of the form; you may take your place at the head of the fifth." The lads above were furious with jealousy, and burly Dick vowed threats of vengeance for his thirty lines.