The day passed without the necessity of any appeal to the president. An anxious consultation was, however, held in his room after closing time. Naturally, owing to the exceptional rush, the accounts were a little out, but as they happened to be on the right side this was a matter for congratulation rather than distress. Nearly two pounds had been taken, and the stock left on hand was valued at five shillings, so that actually it was possible to repay half of the thirty shillings lent, after the very first day. Mr Stratton, however, advised that only ten shillings should be repaid this time, and the other five shillings put into a reserve fund, in case of need. "Of course, you can't expect to do as big a business as this every day," said he. "It will settle down to a regular jog-trot in a few days, and then we shall be able to judge much better how we stand. I shall be very well satisfied if we make about five shillings clear a day." "I think you boys have started very well," began the treasurer, but her husband held up his finger admonishingly. "I should have been very disappointed with them if they had not," said he. "It's easy enough to start, the thing will be to keep it up." "Remember," he added, "it will be better not to brag out of doors about our profits or that sort of thing. It will be time enough to talk about that when we are able to hand over a good lump sum to the clubs. Now it's time you went to preparation. Good night all." "I tell you what," said Lickford to his fellow-shopman as they walked across the Green, "we shall have to be pretty smart to-morrow if we're to get to the club meeting." "Why," said D'Arcy, "I thought none of you Modern cads were going to show up?" "We heard you'd all funked it," said Wally. "I don't blame them," said Ashby; "they've not much to be proud of, those Modern chaps." "Never mind," said Fisher minor, "Fellsgarth can get on well enough without them." The party came to a halt and regarded one another seriously, and Percy said-- "Whoever told you we weren't going to turn up, told crams. We're coming. We'll see you don't have it all to yourselves, rather!" "My eye, won't you get licked for it! Nice to belong to a house where you mayn't sneeze unless your senior lets you." "Go on! Shut up! See if you can't canvass a bit. That's what you're best at--that, and getting it hot on the hands for cheating." Whereupon the troops separated. The taunts of the Classics made their rivals wince, despite their affected contempt. To-morrow was the day of the meeting; and between now and then they must decide whether or not they would obey their own seniors and stay away, or revolt and take the consequences. The unanimous opinion was in favour of revolt, unless Clapperton made it uncommonly worth their while to obey. They were not destined to remain long in doubt, for the senior invaded their quarters that very evening.