How their hero appreciated the attentions his admirers had paid him during his absence the Guinea-pigs did not remain or return to ascertain. They took for granted he was grateful, and bashfully kept out of the way of his thanks for a whole day. After that their enthusiasm returned, but this time it found a new vent. They decided that, although they would all fag for him to the end of his days, they would not for a season, at any rate, solicit jobs from him, but rather encourage him by their sympathy and applause at a more respectful distance. So they took to cheering him in the playground, and following him down the passages. And this not being enough, they further relieved themselves by hooting (at a respectful distance also) the chiefs of the senior school, whose opinions on the question of Greenfield senior were known not to agree with their own. If Oliver was not grateful for all this moral support in his trouble, he must have been a villain indeed of the deepest dye. He never said in so many words he was grateful; but then the Guinea-pigs remembered that feelings are often too deep and too many for words, and so took for granted the thanks which their consciences told them they deserved. Meanwhile a fresh number of the _Dominican_ was in progress, and rapidly nearing the hour of publication. CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. THE "DOMINICAN" ON THE SITUATION. The examination at the beginning of the term had seriously interfered with the prospects of the _Dominican_. Pembury knew well enough it was no good trying to get anything out of the diligent section of his class-fellows at such a time; and he knew equally well that a number contributed entirely by the idlers of the Fifth would neither be creditable to the paper nor appreciated by any one outside. So like a prudent man he held back patiently till the examinations were over, and then pounced down on his men with redoubled importunity. "Look here," said he one day to Ricketts, "when are you going to let me have that paper of yours?" "What paper do you mean?" demanded Ricketts. "Why for the _Dominican_, of course; you don't suppose I want one of your cast-off exam papers, do you?" "Oh, I can't do anything for the _Dominican_ this time," said Ricketts. "Yes, you can, and yes, you will," coolly replied Anthony. "Who says I will?" demanded Ricketts, inclined to be angry. "It sounds as if _I_ do," replied the editor. "Why of course you'll do something for it, Rick?" "I'd be glad enough, but really I'm not in the humour," said Ricketts. "Why ever not?" demanded Tony. "Why, the fact is," said Ricketts, "I fancy the Fifth is not exactly looking up at present, and we've nothing particular to be proud of. If you take my advice you'll keep the _Dominican_ quiet for a bit."