"I'm jolly glad Dencroft has got the house," said Kennedy. "We might have had some awful rotter put in. Dencroft will help us buck up the house games." The new house-master sent for Kennedy on the first evening of term. He wished to find out how the Head of the house and the ex-Head stood with regard to one another. He knew the circumstances, and comprehended vaguely that there had been trouble. "I hope we shall have a good term," he said. "I hope so, sir," said Kennedy. "You--er--you think the house is keener, Kennedy, than when you first came in?" "Yes, sir. They are getting quite keen now. We might win the sports." "I hope we shall. I wish we could win the football cup, too, but I am afraid Mr Blackburn's are very heavy metal." "It's hardly likely we shall have very much chance with them; but we might get into the final!" "It would be an excellent thing for the house if we could. I hope Fenn is helping you get the team into shape?" he added. "Oh, yes, sir," said Kennedy. "We share the captaincy. We both sign the lists." "A very good idea," said Mr Dencroft, relieved. "Good night, Kennedy." "Good night, sir," said Kennedy. XXIII THE HOUSE-MATCHES The chances of Kay's in the inter-house Football Competition were not thought very much of by their rivals. Of late years each of the other houses had prayed to draw Kay's for the first round, it being a certainty that this would mean that they got at least into the second round, and so a step nearer the cup. Nobody, however weak compared to Blackburn's, which was at the moment the crack football house, ever doubted the result of a match with Kay's. It was looked on as a sort of gentle trial trip.