CHAPTER PAGE I. BEHIND THE SCENES 1 II. CHANGE AND CHANCE 11 III. VERY RAW MATERIAL 21 IV. SETTLING IN 33 V. NICKNAMES 43 VI. BOY TO BOY 53 VII. REASSURANCE 62 VIII. LIKES AND DISLIKES 75 IX. CORAM POPULO 90 X. ELEGIACS 105 XI. A MERRY CHRISTMAS 123 XII. THE NEW YEAR 133 XIII. THE HAUNTED HOUSE 146 XIV. “SUMMER-TERM” 163 XV. SPRAWSON’S MASTERPIECE 174 XVI. SIMILIA SIMILIBUS 186 XVII. THE FUN OF THE FAIR 196 XVIII. DARK HORSES 212 XIX. FAME AND FORTUNE 225 XX. THE EVE OF OFFICE 240 XXI. OUT OF FORM 250 XXII. THE OLD BOYS’ MATCH 259 XXIII. INTERLUDE IN A STUDY 266 XXIV. THE SECOND MORNING’S PLAY 277 XXV. INTERLUDE IN THE WOOD 290 XXVI. CLOSE OF PLAY 304 XXVII. THE EXTREME PENALTY 317 XXVIII. “LIKE LUCIFER” 328 XXIX. CHIPS AND JAN 336 XXX. HIS LAST FLING 349 XXXI. VALE 360 FATHERS OF MEN CHAPTER I BEHIND THE SCENES The two new boys in Heriot’s house had been suitably entertained at his table, and afterwards in his study with bound volumes of _Punch_. Incidentally they had been encouraged to talk, with the result that one boy had talked too much, while the other shut a stubborn mouth tighter than before. The babbler displayed an exuberant knowledge of contemporary cricket, a more conscious sense of humour, and other little qualities which told their tale. He opened the door for Miss Heriot after dinner, and even thanked her for the evening when it came to an end. His companion, on the other hand, after brooding over Leech and Tenniel with a sombre eye, beat a boorish retreat without a word.