It was difficult to feel angry with him. He looked so cool and determined, his shoulders were so square, and the year that had elapsed since we met had added three good inches to his stature. It was a feather in a fellow's cap to know Tempest, even if he did have his little joke at one's expense now and then. I came to the conclusion that Dicky and I must be the only two new boys in the house, for none of the numerous hands, grimy and otherwise, which went up were cased in anything but their native skin. Presently the register clerk came to an end of his list, and I was beginning to congratulate both myself and Brown on our probable escape from detection when Mr Sharpe said-- "New boys, come forward." My left-hand neighbour interposed no obstruction now, as, followed by Dicky, I sidled out of my place and advanced along with five other youths to the front. I was conscious of smiles as I went past the desks, some of recognition of the late owner of the tan boots, some of appreciation of my blushes, and others, as I supposed, of the greenness which had led all my companions to commit the fatal error of not appearing in gloves, and of my error, though in a smaller degree, of appearing in bright yellow two-button goods instead of lavender of the regulation half-dozen. I exchanged glances with Tempest, among others, who looked very serious, and was evidently chagrined that after all his kind trouble on my behalf I should now land myself in this dilemma. Good old Tempest! It wasn't his fault. "Answer to your--" began Mr Sharpe, when, suddenly catching sight of me, he said-- "Why, sir, what nonsense is this? What do you mean by wearing those gloves?" "I beg your pardon, sir," I faltered, and felt that not a word of my speech was being lost by the assembled house; "I've left my lavender six-button gloves in my trunk." Mr Sharpe's mouth curled at the corner in a curious way, and a general titter greeted my explanation from the benches behind. I was fully convinced now that, after all my care, the very solecism I had planned so carefully to avoid had tripped me up at last. "Take them off at once, sir, and let me have no more of this foolishness. You are making a bad start. Were you not the boy I had to speak to in the hall this afternoon?" "Yes, sir. I am sorry I kicked your shins. I hope I didn't hurt much. I thought you were one of the boys." I am sure I meant no harm by it, but he seemed to regard this as a studied insult, and visited me with his wrath not only for it but for the smiles from the boys behind which accompanied it. "What is this boy's name?" he inquired severely, looking round. I wondered who would answer the question; it was evidently not intended for me. It astonished me that Mr Sharpe should not apply at headquarters; I am sure I could have told him. "I think," said a voice which I recognised as Tempest's, "his name is Jones, sir." Think! Surely Tempest might have had a little more confidence than that.