"Thank'ee kindly, young masters," began he, with his usual formula; "I ain't no schollard like my Alf is. He could talk to you straight. I'm sorry he ain't here, gents. He's bound to be somewheres, and I'm sure it's no offence meant, his going away. I likes your style, and I hopes that young fly-by-night who says my Alf's a thief will tell him so to his face. My Alf'll settle him proper. Them as pays for my Alf's schooling--which it's two kind ladies, masters, as my missus was kinder foster-sister to--means to make a gent of my Alf. But, bless you, he'd sooner be along of me in the building trade. Not that my Alf ain't a schollard, and can't behave himself. He do behave beautiful to his mother, does Alf, and ain't nothink of a fine gent at home. So there, I tell you straight, and no offence meant, young masters. I like your style, I do. Don't you take on about my Alf bein' a-missing. He's bound to be somewheres. I know'd him do it afore, when things went contrairy. But he wasn't fur off, and come back. On'y don't let 'im cop hold of that there jumper as says he's a thief, or there'll be a row in the 'ouse. Why, my Alf's that straight he wouldn't rob a dog of his bone, not if he was starving. That's flat. So here's to you, young gents; and if you happen to be passing near Crackstoke way, me and my missus'll be proud to see yer. Here's luck!" The speech was rapturously applauded, not only by the party present, but by the knot of fellows in the passage, who were taking advantage of the necessarily open door to join in the proceedings as outsiders. Wally, however, resented the intrusion, and as soon as the speech of the evening was ended, ordered one of the tables to be cleared, and placing his chair upon it, made room for the door to be closed on the intruders, much to their disappointment. After the favourable reception of his speech, Mr Rollitt became very much more at home, and produced a pipe from his pocket, which he proceeded in the most natural way to light. His hosts gazed in a somewhat awe-struck way at the proceeding, but Wally gave the right cue. "That's right, Mr Rollitt; make yourself at home." "So I are. You see, in my days, schooling worn't what it is. Now this here school must be a topper." "It's not bad," said Percy. "You see there was a jolly row on this term between the Classics and our lot, and they had to be taken down a bit." "_Did_ they?" retorted Wally, very indignant; "how many pegs did _you_ come down? Who had to get our chaps to come and give them a leg-up every other day?" "Who swindled at Elections and got licked on the hands, eh!" "Who got their football bagged, and couldn't get it back?" "Who got kicked out of the front row at the Rendlesham match?" "'Armony, gents, 'armony," said Mr Rollitt, waving his pipe encouragingly. The rebuke was opportune. It wasn't fair to the guest to squabble before him.