On the afternoon following this conversation Payne, who was a member of Dacre's House, came into his study and banged his books down on the table with much emphasis. This was a sign that he was feeling dissatisfied with the way in which affairs were conducted in the world. Bowden, who was asleep in an armchair--he had been staying in with a cold--woke with a start. Bowden shared Payne's study. He played centre three-quarter for the Second Fifteen. 'Hullo!' he said. Payne grunted. Bowden realized that matters had not been going well with him. He attempted to soothe him with conversation, choosing what he thought would be a congenial topic. 'What's on on Saturday?' he asked. 'Scratch game. First _v._ Second.' Bowden groaned. 'I know those First _v._ Second games,' he said. 'They turn the Second out to get butchered for thirty-five minutes each way, to improve the First's combination. It may be fun for the First, but it's not nearly so rollicking for us. Look here, Payne, if you find me with the pill at any time, you can let me down easy, you know. You needn't go bringing off any of your beastly gallery tackles.' 'I won't,' said Payne. 'To start with, it would be against rules. We happen to be on the same side.' 'Rot, man; I'm not playing for the First.' This was the only explanation that occurred to him. 'I'm playing for the Second.' 'What! Are you certain?' 'I've seen the list. They're playing Babington instead of me.' 'But why? Babington's no good.' 'I think they have a sort of idea I'm slacking or something. At any rate, Walkinshaw told me that if I bucked up I might get tried again.' 'Silly goat,' said Bowden. 'What are you going to do?' 'I'm going to take his advice, and buck up.' II