"From time immemorial," he thundered out, "it has been the privilege of the members of this House" (he had been reading _John Bull_ the day before) "to enjoy themselves, to work if they wanted to, to smoke if they wanted to, to do any damned thing they wanted to. The only thing they'd got to do was to play like hell in the Easter term, and here's that ---- Clarke trying to make us do work, and, what is more, to work for Claremont! Gentlemen, let us stand by our traditions." (Mr Bottomley is useful at times.) "That's all very jolly," said the practical Farrow, "but what are you doing?" "Oh, it doesn't matter what we do, as long as we stand up for our rights. Who ever heard of School House men working?" "Now look here, my good fellows," said the ingenious Archie, "it's quite simple, if you will only do as I tell you. Clarke told us to bring him a form list; the obvious thing to do is not to bring one at all." "But, you silly ass, the fellow who ought to have brought it will get into the very Hades of a row." "Exactly. But who is the responsible person? Clarke said the senior man. Well, now, in IV. A I am, as far as work is concerned, the senior man in the form. But Hasel has been in the form a term longer than me, while Farrow, a most arrant idiot, who has only just reached the form, has been in the House a year longer than either of us. There is no senior man. We have all excellent claims to the position, but we waive them in favour of our inferiors." Archie was at once acclaimed as the Napoleon of deceit. That week Clarke found no form order either from IV. A or V.B. After prayers that evening he asked to see all those in IV. A and V.B. When the conspirators arrived at his study Clarke found that everything had been elaborately prepared. There was not a single hitch in the argument. No one was at fault. There had been a general misunderstanding. They were, of course, very sorry. Clarke listened in silence. "Well, I'm sorry this has happened. But when I say that I want a thing done, I expect it to be done. None of you are to blame particularly; but you are all equally guilty. I shall be forced to cane the lot of you." There was a gasp. They had known Clarke was a strong man, but they had hardly expected this. Mansell was indignant. "But look here, Clarke, you can't beat me, I'm a House cap." "Can't I?" "It has been a House tradition for years that a House cap can't be beaten." "I am sorry, Mansell, but I have little respect for traditions. Will you all wait for me in the Sixth Form room?" "All right, I shall go to the Chief then." "I don't think you will, Mansell." The Chief was not very fond of receiving complaints about his House prefects.