“If you asked me I should say seek not to propitiate. When one is forced to take crammers’ pups--” “He was perfectly well at extra-tuition--with me--this morning,” said the Head, absently. “Unusually well behaved, too.” “--they either educate the school, or the school, as in this case, educates them. I prefer our own methods,” the chaplain concluded. “You think it was that?” A lift of the Head’s eye-brow. “I’m sure of it! And nothing excuses his trying to give the College a bad name.” “That’s the line I mean to take with him,” the Head answered. The Augurs winked. * * * * * A few days later the Reverend John called on Number Five. “Why haven’t we seen you before, Padre?” said they. “I’ve been watching times and seasons and events and men--and boys,” he replied. “I am pleased with my Tenth Legion. I make them my compliments. Clewer was throwing ink-balls in form this morning, instead of doing his work. He is now doing fifty lines for--unheard-of audacity.” “You can’t blame us, sir,” said Beetle. “You told us to remove the--er--pressure. That’s the worst of a fag.” “I’ve known boys five years his senior throw ink-balls, Beetle. To such an one have I given two hundred lines--not so long ago. And now I come to think of it, were those lines ever shown up?” “Were they, Turkey?’ said Beetle unblushingly. “Don’t you think Clewer looks a little cleaner, Padre?” Stalky interrupted. “We’re no end of moral reformers,” said McTurk. “It was all Stalky, but it was a lark,” said Beetle. “I have noticed the moral reform in several quarters. Didn’t I tell you you had more influence than any boys in the Coll. if you cared to use it?” “It’s a trifle exhaustin’ to use frequent--our kind of moral suasion. Besides, you see, it only makes Clewer cheeky.” “I wasn’t thinking of Clewer; I was thinking of--the other people, Stalky.” “Oh, we didn’t bother much about the other people,” said McTurk. “Did we?” “But _I_ did--from the beginning.” “Then you knew, sir?” A downward puff of smoke. “Boys educate each other, they say, more than we can or dare. If I had used one half of the moral suasion you may or may not have employed--” “With the best motives in the world. Don’t forget our pious motives, Padre,” said McTurk. “I suppose I should be now languishing in Bideford jail, shouldn’t I? Well, to quote the Head, in a little business which we have agreed to forget, that strikes me as flagrant injustice... What are you laughing at, you young sinners? Isn’t it true? I will not stay to be shouted at. What I looked into this den of iniquity for was to find out if any one cared to come down for a bathe off the Ridge. But I see you won’t.” “Won’t we, though! Half a shake, Padre Sahib, till we get our towels, and _nous sommes avec vous_!” A LITTLE PREP.