A good innings at the third eleven net, followed by some strenuous fielding in the deep, soothed his ruffled feelings to a large extent; and all might have been well but for the intervention of Firby-Smith. That youth, all spectacles and front teeth, met Mike at the door of Wain’s. “Ah, I wanted to see you, young man,” he said. (Mike disliked being called “young man.”) “Come up to my study.” Mike followed him in silence to his study, and preserved his silence till Firby-Smith, having deposited his cricket-bag in a corner of the room and examined himself carefully in a looking-glass that hung over the mantelpiece, spoke again. “I’ve been hearing all about you, young man.” Mike shuffled. “You’re a frightful character from all accounts.” Mike could not think of anything to say that was not rude, so said nothing. “Your brother has asked me to keep an eye on you.” Mike’s soul began to tie itself into knots again. He was just at the age when one is most sensitive to patronage and most resentful of it. “I promised I would,” said the Gazeka, turning round and examining himself in the mirror again. “You’ll get on all right if you behave yourself. Don’t make a frightful row in the house. Don’t cheek your elders and betters. Wash. That’s all. Cut along.” Mike had a vague idea of sacrificing his career to the momentary pleasure of flinging a chair at the head of the house. Overcoming this feeling, he walked out of the room, and up to his dormitory to change. * * * * * In the dormitory that night the feeling of revolt, of wanting to do something actively illegal, increased. Like Eric, he burned, not with shame and remorse, but with rage and all that sort of thing. He dropped off to sleep full of half-formed plans for asserting himself. He was awakened from a dream in which he was batting against Firby-Smith’s bowling, and hitting it into space every time, by a slight sound. He opened his eyes, and saw a dark figure silhouetted against the light of the window. He sat up in bed. “Hullo,” he said. “Is that you, Wyatt?” “Are you awake?” said Wyatt. “Sorry if I’ve spoiled your beauty sleep.” “Are you going out?” “I am,” said Wyatt. “The cats are particularly strong on the wing just now. Mustn’t miss a chance like this. Specially as there’s a good moon, too. I shall be deadly.” “I say, can’t I come too?” A moonlight prowl, with or without an air-pistol, would just have suited Mike’s mood. “No, you can’t,” said Wyatt. “When I’m caught, as I’m morally certain to be some day, or night rather, they’re bound to ask if you’ve ever been out as well as me. Then you’ll be able to put your hand on your little heart and do a big George Washington act. You’ll find that useful when the time comes.” “Do you think you will be caught?” “Shouldn’t be surprised. Anyhow, you stay where you are. Go to sleep and dream that you’re playing for the school against Ripton. So long.”