This was the general impression throughout the School; and, as if to make up for the abstinence of the past few weeks, the fervour of the athletic set waxed high as the eventful day drew near. Yorke had out his men once or twice, practising kicks, and selecting where in the field each player could work to best advantage. Rollitt, of course, did not attend these practices; but Clapperton and Brinkman did, and soon lost the embarrassment with which they first faced their old rivals and enemies. Corder was down too; dreadfully afraid lest by _some_ mishap he should discredit himself, and so be knocked out of his coveted place in the team. Mr Stratton was on the spot also, advising and admonishing--as no one knew better how to do. Even the doctor showed his interest in the new departure of the clubs by coming down too, and by giving directions to reserve seats in the pavilion for a party of his friends. The only unenthusiastic person, except Rollitt, was Dangle. He tried at first to brazen it out, and came down to the field with a sneer on his face to look, so he said, "at the good boys exercising themselves." But the juniors soon routed him out of that attitude. "Booh, hoo! Rollitt's coming! Wants to hear you call him a thief. Run--he'll catch you! Put it on, well run, Dangle, you've missed him this time. Coast's clear, now; you can come back. We'll protect you," and so on. These attentions made Dangle's visits to the field less frequent. In school, he kept the swagger up still longer. "So," said he one day to Clapperton, "I thought you didn't approve of cutting fellows dead?" "No more I do." "Why do you do it, then?" "Have you apologised to Rollitt?" "No." "Has Rollitt thrashed you?" "No." "When one or the other has happened, I shall be delighted to shake hands," said Clapperton. The alternative was a dismal one, but Dangle saw no third way. Which course was least to be desired he could not for the life of him decide. A fight with Rollitt he knew would end disastrously. But to apologise-- and in public! The reader has already had two football matches in the course of this story. He shall not be wearied with a third. Suffice it to say the Penchurch men--men, not boys--presented themselves on the appointed day, and all Fellsgarth turned out to see the battle. Fisher minor scored one more triumph by bringing Rollitt up to the scratch, and so completing as sound and taut a team as Yorke had ever led on to victory. Mrs Stratton was there, wearing the School colours round her hat; and the doctor was there with his field-glasses, pointing out the heroes of the School to his distinguished visitors. This time, by much squeezing and mutual accommodation, the oak tree was made to hold nine persons. Who those nine were none could guess, unless indeed they happened to be standing within a hundred yards of the spot without cotton-wool in their ears.