"No one asked you if you did, you young duffer. But I don't think, all the same, I shall give it just yet." They were walking down the big passage arm-in-arm in the direction of the gymnasium, and as Oliver spoke these last words the subject of their conversation appeared advancing towards them. Who could have believed that those three friends who only a month or two ago were quoted all over Saint Dominic's as inseparables could ever meet and pass one another as these three met and passed one another now? Wraysford coloured as he caught sight of his old ally, and looked another way. Oliver, more composed, kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, and appeared to be completely unconscious of the presence of any one but Stephen, who hung on to his arm, snorting and fuming and inwardly raging like a young tiger held in by the chain from his prey. An odd meeting indeed, and a miserable one; yet to none of the three so miserable as to the injured Wraysford, who ever since the day of the Nightingale examination had not known a happy hour at Saint Dominic's. CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. MR CRIPPS AT SAINT DOMINIC'S. Oliver Greenfield's banishment from civilised society, however much it may have gratified the virtuous young gentlemen of the Fifth, was regarded by a small section of fellows in the Sixth with unmitigated disgust. These fellows were the leading spirits of the Saint Dominic Football Club, which was just about to open proceedings for the season. To them the loss of the best half-back in the school was a desperate calamity. They raged and raved over the matter with all the fury of disappointed enthusiasts. _They_ didn't care a bit, it almost seemed, whether the fellow was a cheat or not. All they knew was, he was the quickest half-back and the safest drop-kick the school had, and here was the match with Landfield coming on, and, lo and behold! their man was in Coventry, forsooth, and not to be had out for love or money. Thus baulked, the Sixth Form athletes could afford to wax very virtuous and philanthropic on the subject of Coventry generally. "The Doctor ought to put a stop to it," said Stansfield, who this year occupied the proud position of captain of the fifteen. "Why, we've not got a single man worth twopence behind the scrimmage!" This was gratifying for Loman, one of the council of war, who usually played quarter or half-back in the matches. "I don't see why we shouldn't get him to play if he _is_ at Coventry," said Callonby; "_we_ didn't send him there." "All very well," said the captain; "if we got him we should lose Ricketts, and Bullinger, and Tom Senior, and Braddy, which would come to about the same thing." "And I shouldn't play either," said Loman, "if Greenfield played." Stansfield shrugged his shoulders and looked vicious. "All child's play!" said he. "They think it's very grand and a fine spectacle and all that. But they ought to have more consideration for the credit of the school."