Thishehaddonebecauseheknewbybitter——bymostbitter——experiencethatthemanagementofthecollegewasslack，dilatory，andinefficient。Hemightevenadd，almostasslackastheadministrationofcertainhouseswhichnowthoughtfittositinjudgmentonhisactions。Withashortsummaryofhisscholasticcareer，andaprecisofhisqualifications，includinghisdegrees，hewithdrew，slammingthedoor。
\"Heigho！\"saidthechaplain。\"Oursisadwarfinglife——abelittlinglife，mybrethren。Godhelpallschoolmasters！Theyneedit。\"
\"Idon’tliketheboys，Iown\"——Proutdugviciouslywithhisforkintothetable—cloth——\"andIdon’tpretendtobeastrongman，asyouknow。ButIconfessI
can’tseeanyreasonwhyIshouldtakestepsagainstStalkyandtheothersbecauseKinghappenstobeannoyedby——by——\"
\"Fallingintothepithehasdigged，\"saidlittleHartopp。\"Certainlynot，Prout。Nooneaccusesyouofsettingonehouseagainstanotherthroughsheeridleness。\"
\"Abelittlinglife——abelittlinglife。\"Thechaplainrose。\"IgotocorrectFrenchexercises。BydinnerKingwillhavescoredoffsomeunluckychildofthirteen；hewillrepeattouseverywordofhisbrilliantrepartees，andallwillbewell。\"
\"Butaboutthosethree。Aretheysoprurient—minded？\"
\"Nonsense，\"saidlittleHartopp。\"Ifyouthoughtforaminute，Prout，youwouldseethatthe’precociousflowoffetidimagery，’thatKingcomplainsof，isborrowedwholesalefromKing。He’nursedthepinionthatimpelledthesteel。’Naturallyhedoesnotapprove。Comeintothesmoking—roomforaminute。Itisn’tfairtolistentoboys；buttheyshouldbenowrubbingitintoKing’shouseoutside。Littlethingspleaselittleminds。\"
ThedingydenofftheCommon—roomwasneverusedforanythingexceptgowns。Itswindowsweregroundglass；onecouldnotseeoutofit，butonecouldhearalmosteverywordonthegraveloutside。AlightandwaryfootstepcameupfromNumberFive。
\"Rattray！\"inasubduedvoice——Rattray’sstudyfrontedthatway。\"D’youknowifMr。
King’sanywhereabout？I’vegota——\"McTurkdiscreetlylefttheendofthesentenceopen。
\"No。he’sgoneout，\"saidRattrayunguardedly。
\"Ah！ThelearnedLipsiusisairinghimself，ishe？HisRoyalHighnesshasgonetofumigate。\"McTurkclimbedontherailings，whereheheldforthlikethenever—weariedrook。
\"NowinalltheColl。therewasnostinklikethestinkofKing’shouse，foritstankvehementlyandnoneknewwhattomakeofit。SaveKing。Andhewashedthefags_privatim_et_seriatim_。InthefishpoolsofHesbonwashedhethem，withanapronabouthisloins。\"
\"Shutup，youmadIrishman！\"Therewasthesoundofagolf—ballspurtingupgravel。
\"It’snogoodgettingwrathy，Rattray。We’vecometojapewithyou。Comeon，Beetle。
They’reallathome。Youcanwind’em。\"
\"Where’sthePomposoStinkadore？’Tisn’tsafeforapure—souled，high—mindedboytobeseenroundhishousethesedays。Goneout，hashe？Nevermind。I’lldothebestI
can，Rattray。I’m_in_loco_parentis_justnow。\"
（\"Oneforyou，Prout，\"whisperedMacrea，forthiswasMr。Prout’spetphrase。）
\"Ihaveafewwordstoimparttoyou，myyoungfriend。Wewilldiscoursetogetherawhile。\"
HerethelisteningProutsputtered：Beetle，inastrainedvoice，hadchosenafavoritegambitofKing’s。
\"Irepeat，MasterRattray，wewillconfer，andthematterofourdiscourseshallnotbestinks，forthatisaloathsomeandobsceneword。Wewill，withyourgoodleave——granted，Itrust，MasterRattray，granted，Itrust——studythis——thisscabrousupheavaloflatentdemoralization。Whatimpressesmemostisnotsomuchtheblatantindecencywithwhichyouswaggerabroadunderyourloadofputrescence\"（youmustimaginethisdiscoursepunctuatedwithgolf—balls，butoldRattraywaseverabadshot）\"asthecynicalimmoralitywithwhichyourevelinyourabhorrentaromas。Farbeitfrommetointerferewithanother’shouse——\"
（\"GoodLord！’saidProut，\"butthisisKing。\"
\"Lineforline，letterforletter；listen；\"saidlittleHartopp。）
\"Buttosaythatyoustink，ascertainlewdfellowsofthebasersortaver，istosaynothing——lessthannothing。Intheabsenceofyourbelovedhouse—master，forwhomnoonehasahigherregardthanmyself，Iwill，ifyouwillallowme，explainthegrossness——theunparalleledenormity——theappallingfetorofthestenches（I
believeinthegoodoldAnglo—Saxonword），stenches，sir，withwhichyouhaveseenfittoinfectyourhouse……Oh，bother！I’veforgottentherest，butitwasverybeautiful。Aren’tyougratefultousforlaborin’withyouthisway，Rattray？Lotsofchaps’udneverhavetakenthetrouble，butwe’regrateful，Rattray。\"
\"Yes，we’rehorridgrateful，\"gruntedMcTurk。\"Wedon’tforgetthatsoap。We’repolite。Whyain’tyoupolite，Rat？\"
\"Hallo！\"Stalkycanteredup，hiscapoveroneeye。\"Exhortin’theWhiffers，eh？I’mafraidthey’retoofargonetorepent。Rattray！White！Perowne！Malpas！Noanswer。
Thisisdistressin’。Thisistrulydistressin’。Bringoutyourdead，youglanderedlepers！\"
\"Youthinkyourselffunny，don’tyou？\"saidRattray，stungfromhisdignitybythislast。\"It’sonlyaratorsomethingunderthefloor。We’regoingtohaveitupto—morrow。\"
\"Don’ttrytoshuffleitoffonapoordumbanimal，anddead，too。Iloatheprevarication。’Ponmysoul，Rattray——\"
\"Holdon。TheHartofflesneversaid’Ponmysoul’inallhislittlelife，\"saidBeetlecritically。
（\"Ah！\"saidProuttolittleHartopp。）
\"Uponmyword，sir，uponmyword，sir，Iexpectedbetterthingsofyou，Rattray。Whycanyounotownuptoyourmisdeedslikeaman？Have_I_evershownanylackofconfidencein_you_？\"
（\"It’snotbrutality，\"murmuredlittleHartopp，asthoughansweringaquestionnoonehadasked。\"It’sboy；onlyboy。\"）
\"Andthiswasthehouse，\"Stalkychangedfromapecking，flutteringvoicetotragicearnestness。\"Thiswasthe——the——opencesspitthatdaredtocallus’stinkers。’Andnow——andnow，ittriestoshelteritselfbehindadeadrat。Youannoyme，Rattray。
Youdisgustme！Youirritatemeunspeakably！ThankHeaven，Iamamanofequabletemper——\"
（\"Thisistoyouraddress，Macrea，\"saidProut。
\"Ifearso，Ifearso。\"）
\"OrIshouldscarcelybeabletocontainmyselfbeforeyourmockingvisage。\"
\"_Cave_！\"inanundertone。BeetlehadspiedKingsailingdownthecorridor。
\"Andwhatmayyoubedoinghere，mylittlefriends？\"thehouse—masterbegan。\"Ihadafleetingnotion——correctmeifIamwrong\"（thelistenerswithoneaccordchoked）——\"thatifIfoundyououtsidemyhouseIshouldvisityouwithdirepainsandpenalties。\"
\"Wewerejustgoin’forawalk，sir，\"saidBeetle。
\"AndyoustoppedtospeaktoRattray_en_route_？\"
\"Yes，sir。We’vebeenthrowinggolf—balls，\"saidRattray，comingoutofthestudy。
（\"OldRatismoreofadiplomatthanIthought。Sofarheisstrictlywithinthetruth，\"saidlittleHartopp。\"Observetheethicsofit，Prout。\"）
\"Oh，youweresportingwiththem，wereyou？ImustsayIdonotenvyyouyourchoiceofassociates。Ifanciedtheymighthavebeenengagedinsomeoftheprurientdiscoursewithwhichtheyhavebeensodisgustinglyfreeoflate。Ishouldstronglyadviseyoutodirectyourstepsmostcarefullyinthefuture。Pickupthosegolf—balls。\"Hepassedon。
NextdayRichards，whohadbeenacarpenterintheNavy，andtowhomoddjobswereconfided，wasorderedtotakeupadormitoryfloor；forMr。Kingheldthatsomethingmusthavediedthere。
\"Weneednotneglectallourworkforatrumperyincidentofthisnature；thoughI
amquiteawarethatlittlethingspleaselittleminds。Yes，IhavedecreedtheboardstobetakenupafterlunchunderRichards’sauspices。Ihavenodoubtitwillbevastlyinterestingtoacertaintypeofso—calledintellect；butanyboyofmyhouseoranother’sfoundonthedormitorystairswill_ipso_facto_renderhimselfliabletothreehundredlines。\"
Theboysdidnotcollectonthestairs，butmostofthemwaitedoutsideKing’s。
Richardshadbeenboundtocrythenewsfromtheatticwindow，and，ifpossible，toexhibitthecorpse。
\"’Tisacat，adeadcat！\"Richards’sfaceshowedpurpleatthewindow。Hehadbeeninthechamberofdeathandonhiskneesforsometime。
\"Catbeblowed！\"criedMcTurk。\"It’sadeadfagleftoverfromlastterm。ThreecheersforKing’sdeadfag！\"
Theycheeredlustily。
\"Showit，showit！Let’shaveasquintatit！\"yelledthejuniors。\"GivehertotheBug—hunters。\"（ThiswastheNaturalHistorySociety）。\"ThecatlookedattheKing——anddiedofit！Hoosh！Yai！Yaow！Maiow！Ftzz！\"weresomeofthecriesthatfollowed。
AgainRichardsappeared。
\"She’vebeen\"——hecheckedhimselfsuddenly——\"deadalongtaime。\"
Theschoolroared。
\"Well，comeonoutforawalk，\"saidStalkyinawell—chosenpause。\"It’sallverydisgustin’，andIdohopetheLazar—housewon’tdoitagain。\"
\"Dowhat？\"aKing’sboycriedfuriously。
\"Killapoorinnocentcateverytimeyouwanttogetoffwashing。It’sawfullyhardtodistinguishbetweenyouasitis。Ipreferthecat，Imustsay。Sheisn’tquitesowhiff。Whatareyougoin’todo，Beetle？\"
\"_Je_vais_gloater_。_Je_vais_gloater_tout_le_blessedafternoon。_Jamais_j’ai_
_gloate’_comme_je_gloaterai_aujourd’hui_。_Nous_bunkerons_aux_bunkers。\"
Anditseemedgoodtothemsotodo。
Downinthebasement，wherethegasflickersandthebootsstandinracks，Richards，amidhisblacking—brushes，heldforthtoOkeoftheCommon—room，Gumblyofthedining—halls，andfairLenaofthelaundry。
\"Yiss。Herwereinashockin’staatean’condition。Hernighmademesick，Ital’ee。ButIrowtedunout，andIrowtedunout，an’Imadeallshipshape，thoughhersmeltliketobilges。\"
\"Herdiedmousin’，Ireckon，poorthing，\"saidLena。
\"Thenhermouseddifferenttoanymadecato’God’sworld，Lena。Iupwiththetop—board，an’shewerelyingonherback，an’Iturnedunovverwiththebrume—handle，an’’twasherbackwasallcoveredwiththeplasterfrom’twixtthelathin’。Yiss，Ital’ee。An’underherheadtherelay，like，so’stosay，alittlepillowo’plasterdruvupinfrontofherbyraisonofherslidin’alongonherback。Nocatniverwentmousin’onherback，Lena。Someonehadshovedheralongrightunderneath，sofarastheycouldshoveun。Catsdon’tmaketheyselvespillowsfortodieon。Shovedalong，shewere，whenshewassettin’fortobecold，laike。\"
\"Oh，yeou’mtooclevertolive，Fatty。Yeougogetwedan’taughtsomesense，\"saidLena，theaffiancedofGumbly。
\"Larnedalittle’foreiversomemaidenswasborn。SarvedintheQueen’sNavy，I
have，whereyeou’mtaughttouseyoureyes。Yeougo’tendyourownbusiness，Lena。\"
\"Do’eemeanwhatyou’mbeentellin’us？\"saidOke。
\"Askmenoquestions，I’llgive’eenolies。Bullet—holeclanethrufromsidetoside，an’tuheart—ribsbrokelikewithies。IseedunwhenIturnedunovver。
They’reclever，oh，they’mclever，butthey’mnottoocleverforoldRichards！’Twasontheborntipo’mytonguetotell，tu，but……hesaidusniverwashed，hedid。
Lethisdomboyscallus’stinkers，’hedid。Sarveundomwellraight，Isay！\"
Richardsspatonafreshbootandfelltohiswork，chuckling。
THEIMPRESSIONISTS。
Theyhaddroppedintothechaplain’sstudyforaSaturdaynightsmoke———allfourhouse—masters——andthethreebriarsandtheonecigarreekinginamityprovedtheRev。JohnGillett’sgoodgeneralship。Sincethediscoveryofthecat，Kinghadbeentooreadytoseeaffrontwherenonewasmeant，andtheReverendJohn，buffer—stateandgeneralconfidant，hadworkedforaweektobringaboutagoodunderstanding。Hewasfat，clean—shaven，exceptforabigmustache，ofanimperturbablegoodtemper，and，thosewholovedhimleastsaid，aguilefulJesuit。Hesmiledbenignantlyuponhishandiwork——foursorelytriedmentalkingwithoutverymuchmalice。
\"Nowremember，\"hesaid，whentheconversationturnedthatway，\"Iimputenothing。
ButeverytimethatanyonehastakendirectstepsagainstNumberFivestudy，theissuehasbeenmoreorlesshumiliatingtothetaker。\"
\"Ican’tadmitthat。IpulverizetheegregiousBeetledailyforhissoul’sgood；andtheotherswithhim，\"saidKing。
\"Well，takeyourowncase，King，andgobackacoupleofyears。DoyourememberwhenProutandyouwereontheirtrackforhuttingandtrespass，wasn’tit？HaveyouforgottenColonelDabney？\"
Theotherslaughed。Kingdidnotcaretoberemindedofhiscareerasapoacher。
\"Thatwasoneinstance。Again，whenyouhadroomsbelowthem——Ialwayssaidthatthatwasenteringthelion’sden——youturnedthemout。\"
\"Formakingdisgustingnoises。Surely，Gillett，youdon’texcuse——\"
\"AllIsayisthatyouturnedthemout。Thatsameeveningyourstudywaswrecked。\"
\"ByRabbits—Eggs——mostbeastlydrunk——fromtheroad，\"saidKing。\"Whathasthat？\"
TheReverendJohnwenton。
\"Lastly，theyconceivethataspersionsarecastupontheirpersonalcleanliness——amostdelicatematterwithallboys。Ve—rygood。Observehow，ineachcase，thepunishmentfitsthecrime。Aweekafteryourhousecallsthem’stinkers，’King，yourhouseis，nottoputtoofineapointonit，stunkoutbyadeadcatwhochoosestodieintheonespotwhereshecanannoyyoumost。Againthelongarmofcoincidence！
_Summa_。Youaccusethemoftrespass。Throughsomeabsurdchainofcircumstances——theymayormaynotbeattheotherendofit——youandProutaremadetoappearastrespassers。Youevictthem。Foratimeyourstudyismadeuntenable。Ihavedrawntheparallelinthelastcase。Well？\"
\"ShewasunderthecentreofWhite’sdormitory，\"saidKing。\"Therearedoublefloor—boardstheretodeadennoise。Noboy，eveninmyownhouse，couldpossiblyhaveprieduptheboardswithoutleavingsometrace——andRabbits—Eggswasphenomenallydrunkthatothernight。\"
\"Theyaresingularlyfavoredbyfortune。ThatisallIeversaid。Personally，Ilikethemimmensely，andIbelieveIhavealittleoftheirconfidence。IconfessIlikebeingcalled’Padre。’Theyareatpeacewithme；consequentlyIamnottreatedtobogusconfessionsoftheft。\"
\"YoumeanMason’scase？\"saidProutheavily。\"Thatalwaysstruckmeaspeculiarlyscandalous。IthoughttheHeadshouldhavetakenupthemattermorethoroughly。
Masonmaybemisguided，butatleastheisthoroughlysincereandmeanswell。\"
\"IconfessIcannotagreewithyou，Prout，\"saidtheReverendJohn。\"Hejumpedatsomesillytaleoftheftontheirpart；acceptedanotherboy’sevidencewithout，sofarasIcansee，anyinquiry；and——frankly，Ithinkhedeservedallhegot。\"
\"TheydeliberatelyoutragedMason’sbestfeelings，\"saidProut。\"Awordtomeontheirpartwouldhavesavedthewholething。Buttheypreferredtolurehimon；toplayonhisignoranceoftheircharacters——\"
\"Thatmaybe，\"saidKing，\"butIdon’tlikeMason。IdislikehimfortheveryreasonthatProutadvancestohiscredit。Hemeanswell。\"
\"Ourcriminaltraditionisnottheft——amongourselves，atleast，\"saidlittleHartopp。
\"Fortheheadofahousethatraidedsevenheadofcattlefromtheinnocentpot—wallopersofNortham，isn’tthatratherasweepingstatement？\"saidMacrae。
\"Preciselyso，\"saidHartopp，unabashed。\"That，withgate—lifting，andalittlepoachingandhawk—huntingonthecliffs，isoursalvation。\"
\"Itdoesusfarmoreharmasaschool——\"Proutbegan。
\"Thananyhushed—upscandalcould？Quiteso。Ourreputationamongthefarmersismostunsavory。ButIwouldmuchsoonerdealwithanyamountofingeniouscrimeofthatnaturethan——someotheroffenses。\"
\"Theymaybeallright，buttheyareunboylike，abnormal，and，inmyopinion，unsound，\"Proutinsisted。\"Themoraleffectoftheirperformancesmustpavethewayforgreaterharm。Itmakesmedoubtfulhowtodealwiththem。Imightseparatethem。\"
\"Youmight，ofcourse；buttheyhavegoneuptheschooltogetherforsixyears。_I_
shouldn’tcaretodoit，\"saidMacrae。
\"Theyusetheeditorial’we，’\"saidKing，irrelevantly。\"Itannoysme。’Where’syourprose，Corkran？’’Well，sir，wehaven’tquitedoneityet。’’We’llbringitinaminute，’andsoon。Andthesamewiththeothers。\"
\"There’sgreatvirtueinthat’we，’\"saidlittleHartopp。\"YouknowItakethemfortrig。McTurkmayhavesomeconceptionofthemeaningofit；butBeetleisasthebrutesthatperishaboutsinesandcosines。HecopiesserenelyfromStalky，whopositivelyrejoicesinmathematics。\"
\"Whydon’tyoustopit？\"saidProut。
\"Itrightsitselfattheexams。ThenBeetleshowsupblanksheets，andtruststohis’English’tosavehimfromafall。Ifancyhespendsmostofhistimewithmeinwritingverse。\"
\"IwishtoHeavenhewouldtransferalittleofhisenergyinthatdirectiontoElegiaes。\"Kingjerkedhimselfupright。\"Heis，withthesingleexceptionofStalky，theveryvilestmanufacturerof’barbaroushexameters’thatIhaveeverdealtwith。\"
\"Theworkiscombinedinthatstudy，\"saidthechaplain。\"Stalkydoesthemathematics，McTurktheLatin，andBeetleattendstotheirEnglishandFrench。Atleast，whenhewasinthesick—houselastmonth——\"
\"Malingering，\"Proutinterjected。
\"Quitepossibly。Ifoundaverydistinctfallingoffintheir’Romand’unJeuneHommePauvre’translations。\"
\"Ithinkitisprofoundlyimmoral，\"saidProut。\"I’vealwaysbeenopposedtothestudysystem。\"
\"Itwouldbehardtofindanystudywheretheboysdon’thelpeachother；butinNumberFivethethinghasprobablybeenreducedtoasystem，\"saidlittleHartopp。
\"Theyhaveasysteminmostthings。\"
\"Theyconfessasmuch，\"saidtheReverendJohn。\"I’veseenMcTurkbeinghoundedupthestairstoelegisethe’ElegyinaChurchyard，’whileBeetleandStalkywenttopunt—about。\"
\"Itamountstosystematiccribbing，\"saidProut，hisvoicegrowingdeeperanddeeper。
\"Nosuchthing，\"littleHartoppreturned。\"Youcan’tteachacowtheviolin。\"
\"Inintentionitiscribbing。\"
\"Butwespokeunderthesealoftheconfessional，didn’twe？\"saidtheReverendJohn。
\"Yousayyou’veheardthemarrangingtheirworkinthisway，Gillett，\"Proutpersisted。
\"GoodHeavens！Don’tmakemeQueen’sevidence，mydearfellow。Hartoppisequallyincriminated。IftheyeverfoundoutthatIhadsneaked，ourrelationswouldsuffer——andIvaluethem。\"
\"Ithinkyourattitudeinthismatterisweak，\"saidProut，lookingroundforsupport。\"Itwouldbereallybettertobreakupthestudy——forawhile——wouldn’tit？\"
\"Oh，breakitupbyallmeans，\"saidMacrae。\"WeshallseethenifGillett’stheoryholdswater。\"
\"Bewise，Prout。Leavethemalone，orcalamitywillovertakeyou；andwhatismuchmoreimportant，theywillbeannoyedwithme。Iamtoofat，alas！tobeworriedbybadboys。Whereareyougoing？\"
\"Nonsense！Theywouldnotdare———butIamgoingtothinkthisout，\"saidProut。\"Itneedsthought。Inintentiontheycribbed，andImustthinkoutmyduty。\"
\"He’sperfectlycapableofputtingtheboysontheirhonor。It’s_I_thatamafool。\"TheReverendJohnlookedroundremorsefully。\"NeveragainwillIforgetthatamasterisnotaman。Markmywords，\"saidtheReverendJohn。\"Therewillbetrouble。\"
ButbytheyellowTiberWastumultandaffright。
Outofthebluesky（theywerestillrejoicingoverthecatwar）Mr。ProuthaddroppedintoNumberFive，readthemalectureontheenormityofcribbing，andbiddenthemreturntotheform—roomsonMonday。Theyhadraged，soloandchorus，allthroughthepeacefulSabbath，fortheirsinwasmoreorlessthedailypracticeofallthestudies。
\"What’sthegoodofcursing？\"saidStalkyatlast。\"We’reallinthesameboat。
We’vegottogobackandconsortwiththehouse。Alockerintheform—room，andaseatatprep。inNumberTwelve。\"（HelookedregretfullyroundthecozystudywhichMcTurk，theirleaderinmattersofArt，haddecoratedwithadado，astencil，andcretonnehangings。）
\"Yes！Heffylurchin’intotheform—roomslikeafrowzyoldretriever，toseeifwearen’tuptosomething。Youknowheneverleaveshishousealone，thesedays，\"saidMcTurk。\"Oh，itwillbegiddy！\"
\"Whyaren’tyoudownwatchin’cricket？Ilikearobust，healthyboy。Youmustn’tfrowstinaform。room。Whydon’tyoutakeaninterestinyourhouse？Yah！\"quotedBeetle。
\"Yes，whydon’twe？Let’s！We’lltakeaninterestinthehouse。We’lltakenoendofinterestinthehouse！Hehasn’thadusintheform—roomsforayear。We’velearnedalotsincethen。Oh，we’llmakeitabe—autifulhousebeforewe’vedone！’Memberthatchapin’Eric’or’St。Winifred’s’——Belialsomebody？I’mgoin’tobeBelial，\"
saidStalky，withanensnaringgrin。
\"RightO，\"saidBeetle，\"andI’llbeMammon。I’lllendmoneyatusury——that’swhattheydoatallschoolsaccordin’totheB。O。P。Pennyaweekonashillin’。That’llstartleHeffy’sweakintellect。YoucanbeLucifer，Turkey。\"
\"WhathaveIgottodo？\"McTurkalsosmiled。
\"Headconspiracies——andcabals——andboycotts。Goinforthat’stealthyintrigue’
thatHeffyisalwaystalkin’about。Comeon！\"
Thehousereceivedthemontheirfallwiththemixtureofjestandsympathyalwaysextendedtoboysturnedoutoftheirstudy。Theknownaloofnessofthethreemadethemmoreinteresting。
\"Quitelikeoldtimes，ain’tit？\"Stalkyselectedalockerandflunginhisbooks。
\"We’vecometosportwithyou，myyoungfriends，forawhile，becauseourbelovedhouse—masterhashoveusoutofourdiggin’s。\"
\"’Serveyoujollywellright，\"saidOrrin，\"youcribbers！\"
\"Thiswillneverdo，\"saidStalky。\"Wecan’tmaintainourgiddyprestige，Orrin，de—ah，ifyoumaketheseremarks。\"
Theywrappedthemselveslovinglyabouttheboy，thrusthimtotheopenedwindow，anddrewdownthesashtothenapeofhisneck。Withanequalswiftnesstheytiedhisthumbstogetherbehindhisbackwithapieceoftwine，andthen，becausehekickedfuriously，removedhisshoes。ThereMr。Prouthappenedtofindhimafewminuteslater，guillotinedandhelpless，surroundedbyaconvulsedcrowdwhowouldnotassist。
Stalky，inanupperform—room，hadgatheredhimselfalliesagainstvengeance。Orrinpresentlytoreupattheheadofaboardingparty，andtheform—roomgrewonefogofdustthroughwhichboyswrestled，stamped，shouted，andyelled。Adeskwascarriedawayinthetumult，aknotofwarriorsreeledintoandsplitadoor—panel，awindowwasbroken，andagas—jetfell。Undercoveroftheconfusionthethreeescapedtothecorridor，whencetheycalledinandsentuppassers—bytothefray。
\"Rescue，Kings！Kings！Kings！NumberTwelveform—room！Rescue，Prouts——Prouts！
Rescue，Macraes！Rescue，Hartopps！\"
Thejuniorshurriedoutlikebeesaswarm，askingnoquestions，clatteredupthestaircase，andaddedthemselvestotheembroilment。
\"Notbadforthefirstevening’swork，\"saidStalky，rearranginghiscollar。\"I
fancyProut’llbesomewhatannoyed。We’dbetterestablishanalibi。\"SotheysatonMr。King’srailingstillprep。
\"Yousee，\"quothStalky，astheystrolleduptoprep。withtheignobleherd，\"ifyougetthehouseswellmixedupan’scufflin’，it’sevenbettin’thatsomeasswillstartarealrow。Hullo，Orrin，youlookrathermetagrobolized。\"
\"Itwasallyourfault，youbeast！Youstartedit。We’vegottwohundredlinesapiece，andHeffy’slookin’foryou。JustseewhatthatswineMalpasdidtomyeye！\"
\"Ilikeyoursayingwestartedit。Whocalleduscribbers？Can’tyourinfantmindconnectcauseandeffectyet？Somedayyou’llfindoutthatitdon’tpaytojestwithNumberFive。\"
\"Where’sthatshillin’youoweme？\"saidBeetlesuddenly。
StalkycouldnotseeProutbehindhim，butreturnedtheleadwithoutaquaver。\"I
onlyowedyouninepence，youoldusurer。\"
\"You’veforgottentheinterest，\"saidMcTurk。\"AhalfpennyaweekperbobisBeetle’scharge。Youmustbebeastlyrich，Beetle。\"
\"Well，Beetlelentmesixpence。\"Stalkycametoafullstopandmadeastoworkitoutonhisfingers。\"Sixpenceonthenineteenth，didn’the？\"
\"Yes；hutyou’veforgottenyoupaidnointerestontheotherbob——theoneIlentyoubefore。\"
\"Butyoutookmywatchassecurity。\"Thegamewasdevelopingitselfalmostautomatically。
\"Nevermind。Paymemyinterest，orI’llchargeyouinterestoninterest。Remember，I’vegotyournote—of—hand！\"shoutedBeetle。
\"Youareacold—bloodedJew，\"Stalkygroaned。
\"Hush！\"saidMcTurkveryloudlyindeed，andstartedasProutcameuponthem。
\"Ididn’tseeyouinthatdisgracefulaffairintheform—roomjustnow，\"saidhe。
\"What，sir？We’rejustcomeupfromMr。King’s，\"saidStalky。\"Please，sir，whatamItodoaboutprep。？They’vebrokenthedeskyoutoldmetositat，andtheform’sjustswimmingwithink。\"
\"Findanotherseat——findanotherseat。D’youexpectmetodry—nurseyou？Iwishtoknowwhetheryouareinthehabitofadvancingmoneytoyourassociates，Beetle？\"
\"No，sir；notasageneralrule，sir。\"
\"Itisamostreprehensiblehabit。Ithoughtthatmyhouse，atleast，wouldbefreefromit。Evenwithmyopinionofyou，Ihardlythoughtitwasoneofyourvices。\"
\"There’snoharminlendingmoney，sir，isthere？\"
\"Iamnotgoingtobandywordswithyouonyournotionsofmorality。HowmuchhaveyoulentCorkran？\"
\"I——Idon’tquiteknow，\"saidBeetle。Itisdifficulttoimproviseagoingconcernonthespuroftheminute。
\"Youseemedcertainenoughjustnow。\"
\"Ithinkit’stwoandfourpence，\"saidMcTurk，withaglanceofcoldscornatBeetle。InthehopelesslyinvolvedfinancesofthestudytherewasjustthatsumtowhichbothMcTurkandBeetlelaidclaim，astheirshareinthepledgingofStalky’ssecond—bestSundaytrousers。ButStalkyhadmaintainedfortwotermsthatthemoneywashis\"commission\"foreffectingthepawn；andhad，ofcourse，spentitonastudy\"brew。\"
\"Understandthis，then。Youarenottocontinueyouroperationsasamoney—lender。
Twoandfour—pence，yousaid，Corkran？\"
Stalkyhadsaidnothing，andcontinuedsotodo。
\"Yourinfluenceforevilisquitestrongenoughwithoutbuyingaholdoveryourcompanions。\"Hefeltinhispockets，and（ohjoy！）producedaflorinandfourpence。
\"BringmewhatyoucallCorkran’snote—of—hand，andbethankfulthatIdonotcarrythematteranyfurther。Themoneyisstoppedfromyourpocket—money，Corkran。Thereceipttomystudy，atonce！\"
Littletheycared！Twoandfourpenceinalumpisworthsixweeklysixpencesanyhungrydayoftheweek。
\"Butwhatthedooceisanote—of—hand？\"saidBeetle。\"Ionlyreadaboutitinabook。\"
\"Nowyou’vejollywellgottomakeone，\"saidStalky。
\"Yes——butourinkdon’tturnblacktillnextday。S’posehe’llspotthat？\"
\"Nothim。He’stooworried，\"saidMcTurk。\"Signyournameonabitofimpot—paper，Stalky，andwrite，’IOUtwoandfourpence。’Aren’tyougratefultomeforgettingthatoutofProut？Stalky’dneverhavepaid……Why，youass！\"
MechanicallyBeetlehadhandedoverthemoneytoStalkyastreasurerofthestudy。
Thecustomofyearsisnotlightlybroken。Inreturnforthedocument，ProutexpoundedtoBeetletheenormityofmoney—lending，which，likeeverythingexceptcompulsorycricket，corruptedhousesanddestroyedgoodfeelingamongboys，madeyouthcoldandcalculating，andopenedthedoortoallevil。Finally，didBeetleknowofanyothercases？Ifso，itwashisdutyasproofofrepentancetolethishouse—masterknow。Nonamesneedbementioned。
Beetledidnotknow——atleast，hewasnotquitesure，sir。Howcouldhegiveevidenceagainsthisfriends？Thehousemight，ofcourse——herehefeignedananguisheddelicacy——befullofit。Hewasnotinapositiontosay。Hehadnotmetwithanyopencompetitioninhistrade；butifMr。Proutconsidereditwasamatterthataffectedthehonorofthehouse（Mr。Proutdidconsideritpreciselythat），perhapsthehouse—prefectswouldbebetter……
Hespunitouttillhalf—waythroughprep。
\"And，\"saidtheamateurShylock，returningtotheform—roomanddroppingatStalky’sside，\"ifhedon’tthinkthehouseisputridwithit，I’mseveiralDutch—men——that’sall……I’vebeentoMr。Prout’sstudy，sir。\"Thistotheprep。—master。\"HesaidI
couldsitwhereIliked，sir……Oh，heisjusttricklin’withemotion……Yes，sir，I’monlyaskin’Corkrantoletmehaveadipinhisink。\"
Afterprayers，ontheroadtothedormitories，HarrisonandCraye，seniorhouse—prefects，zealousintheiroffice，waylaidthemwithgreatanger。\"WhathaveyoubeendoingtoHeffythistime，Beetle？He’sbeenjawingusalltheevening。\"
\"WhathasHisSereneTransparencybeenvexin’youfor？\"saidMcTurk。
\"AboutBeetlelendin’moneytoStalky，\"beganHarrison；\"andthenBeetlewentandtoldhimthattherewasanyamountofmoney—lendin’inthehouse。\"
\"No，youdon’t，\"saidBeetle，sittingonaboot—basket。\"That’sjustwhatIdidn’ttellhim。Ispokethegiddytruth。Heaskedmeiftherewasmuchofitinthehouse；
andIsaidIdidn’tknow。\"
\"Hethinksyou’reasetoffilthyShylocks，\"saidMcTurk。\"It’sjustaswellforyouhedon’tthinkyou’reburglars。Youknowhenevergetsanotionoutofhisconscientiousoldhead。\"
\"Well—meanin’man。Diditallforthebest。\"Stalkycurledgracefullyroundthestair—rail。\"Headinadrain—pipe。Fullconfessionintheleftboot。Badforthehonorofthehouse——very。\"
\"Shutup，\"saidHarrison。\"Youchapsalwaysbehaveasifyouwerejawin’uswhenwecometojawyou。\"
\"You’realottoocheeky，\"saidCraye。
\"Idon’tquiteseewherethecheekcomesin，exceptonyourpart，ininterferin’
withaprivatematterbetweenmean’BeetleafterithasbeensettledbyProut。\"
Stalkywinkedcheerfullyattheothers。
\"That’stheworstofcleverlittleswots，\"saidMcTurk，addressingthegas。\"Theygetmadeprefectsbeforetheyhaveanytact，andthentheyannoychapswhocouldreallyhelp’emtolookafterthehonorofthehouse。\"
\"Wewon’ttroubleyoutodothat！\"saidCrayehotly。
\"Thenwhatareyoubadgerin’usfor？\"saidBeetle。\"Onyourownshowing，you’vebeensobeastlyslack，lookingafterthehouse，thatProutbelievesit’sanestofmoney—lenders。I’vetoldhimthatI’velentmoneytoStalky，andnooneelse。I
don’tknowwhetherhebelievesme，butthatfinishesmycase。Therestisyourbusiness。\"
\"Nowwefindout，\"Stalky’svoicerose，\"thatthereisapparentlyanorganizedconspiracythroughoutthehouse。Foraughtweknow，thefagsmaybelendin’andborrowin’farbeyondtheirmeans。Wearen’tresponsibleforit。We’reonlytherankandfile。\"
\"Areyousurprisedwedon’twishtoassociatewiththehouse？\"saidMcTurk，withdignity。\"We’vekeptourselvestoourselvesinourstudytillwewereturnedout，andnowwefindourselvesletinforforthissortofthing。It’ssimplydisgraceful。\"
\"Thenyouhectorandbullyragusonthestairs，\"saidStalky，\"aboutmattersthatareyourbusinessentirely。Youknowwearen’tprefects。\"
\"Youthreateneduswithaprefect’slickin’justnow，\"saidBeetle，boldlyinventingashesawthebewildermentinthefacesoftheenemy。\"Andifyouexpectyou’llgainanythingfromusbyyourwayofapproachin’us，you’rejollywellmistaken。That’sall。Good—night。\"
Theyclatteredupstairs，injuredvirtueoneveryinchoftheirbacks。
\"But——butwhatthedickenshavewedone？\"saidHarrison，amazedly，toCraye。
\"Idon’tknow。Only——italwayshappensthatwaywhenonehasanythingtodowiththem。They’resobeastlyplausible。\"
AndMr。Proutcalledthegoodboysintohisstudyanew，andsucceededinsinkingbothhisandtheirinnocentmindstenfathomsdeeperinblindfoldedbedazement。Hespokeofstepsandmeasures，oftoneandloyaltyinthehouseandtothehouse，andurgedthemtotakeupthemattertactfully。
SotheydemandedofBeetlewhetherhehadanyconnectionwithanyotherestablishment。Beetlepromptlywenttohishouse—master，andwishedtoknowbywhatrightHarrisonandCrayehadreopenedamatteralreadysettledbetweenhimandhishouse—master。IninjuredinnocencenoboyexcelledBeetle。
ThenitoccurredtoProutthathemighthavebeenunfairtotheculprit，whohadnotstriventodenyorpalliatehisoffense。HesentforHarrisonandCraye，reprehendingthemverygentlyforthetonetheyhadadoptedtoarepentantsinner，andwhentheyreturnedtotheirstudy，theyusedthelanguageofdespair。Theythenmadeheadlonginquisitionthroughthehouse，drivingthefagstotheedgeofhysterics，andunearthing，withtremendouspompandparade，thenaturalandinevitablesystemofsmallloansthatprevailsamongsmallboys。
\"Yousee，Harrison，ThorntonminorlentmeapennylastSaturday，becauseIwasfinedforbreakingthewindow；andIspentitatKeyte’s。Ididn’tknowtherewasanyharminit。AndWraymajorborrowedtwopencefrommewhenmyunclesentmeapost—officeorder——IcasheditatKeyte’s——forfivebob；buthe’llpaymebackbeforetheholidays。Wedidn’tknowtherewasanythingwronginit。\"
Theywadedthroughhoursofthiskindofthing，butfoundnousury，oranythingapproachingtoBeetle’sgorgeousscaleofinterest。Theseniors——fortheschoolhadnotraditionofdeferencetoprefectsoutsidecompulsorygames——toldthemsuccinctlytogoabouttheirbusiness。Theywouldnotgiveevidenceonanyterms。Harrisonwasoneidiot，andCrayewasanother；butthegreatestofall，theysaid，wastheirhouse—master。
Whenahouseisthoroughlyupset，howevergooditsconscience，itbreaksintoknotsandcoteries——smallgatheringsinthetwilight，box—roomcommittees，andgroupsinthecorridor。Andwhenfromgrouptogroup，withanimmenseaffectationofsecrecy，threewickedboyssteal，crying\"_Cave’_\"whenthereisnoneedofcaution，andwhispering\"Don’ttell！\"ontheheelsoftrumperyconfidencesthatinstantinvented，averyfineairofplotandintriguecanbewovenroundsuchahouse。
Attheendofafewdays，itdawnedonProutthathemovedinanatmosphereofperpetualambush。Mysterieshedgedhimonallsides，warningsranbeforehisheavyfeet，andcountersignsweremutteredbehindhisattentiveback。McTurkandStalkyinventedmanyabsurdandidlephrases——catch—wordsthatsweptthroughthehouseasfirethroughstubble。Itwasararejest，andtheonlypracticaloutcomeoftheUsuryCommission，thatoneboyshouldsaytoafriend，withawfulgravity，\"Doyouthinkthere’smuchofitgoingoninthehouse？\"Theotherwouldreply，\"Well，onecan’tbetoocareful，youknow。\"Theeffectonahouse—masterofhumaneconscienceandgoodintentmaybeimagined。Again，amanwhohassincerelydevotedhimselftogainingtheesteemofhischargesdoesnotliketohearhimselfdescribed，evenatadistance，as\"PopularityProut\"byadarkandscowlingCeltwithafluenttongue。A
rumorthatstories——unusualstories——aretoldintheform—rooms，betweenthelights，byaboywhodoesnotcommandhisconfidence，agitatessuchaman；andevenelaborateandtenderpoliteness——forthecourtesywise—grownmenoffertoabewilderedchildwasthecourtesythatStalkywrappedroundProut——restoresnothispeaceofmind。
\"Thetoneofthehouseseemschanged——changedfortheworse，\"saidProuttoHarrisonandCraye。\"Haveyounoticedit？。Idon’tforaninstantimpute——\"
Heneverimputedanything；but，ontheotherhand，heneverdidanythingelse，and，withthebestintentionsintheworld，hehadreducedthehouse—prefectstoastateasnearlyborderingonnervousirritationashealthyboyscanknow。Worstofall，theybeganattimestowonderwhetherStalky&Co。hadnotsometruthintheiroften—repeatedassertionsthatProutwasagloomyass。
\"Asyouknow，Iamnotthekindofmanwhoputshimselfoutforeverylittlethinghehears。Ibelieveinlettingthehouseworkouttheirownsalvation——withalightguidinghandonthereins，ofcourse。Butthereisaperceptiblelackofreverence———alowertoneinmattersthattouchthehonorofthehouse，asortofhardness。\"
Oh，Proutheisanobleman，anobleman，anobleman！
OurHeffyisanobleman——
Hedoesanawfullot，BecausehispopularityOh，pop—u—pop—u—larity——
HisgiddypopularityWouldsufferdidhenot！
Thestudydoorstoodajar；andthesong，bornebytwentyclearvoices，camefaintfromaform—room。Thefagsratherlikedthetune；thewordswereBeetle’s。
\"That’sathingnosensiblemanobjectsto，\"saidProutwithalop—sidedsmile；\"butyouknowstrawsshowwhichwaythewindblows。Canyoutraceittoanydirectinfluence？Iamspeakingtoyounowasheadsofthehouse。\"
\"Thereisn’ttheleastdoubtofit，\"saidHarrisonangrily。\"Iknowwhatyoumean，sir。ItallbeganwhenNumberFivestudycametotheform—rooms。There’snouseblinkin’it，Craye。Youknowthat，too。\"
\"Theymakethingsratherdifficultforus，sometimes，\"saidCraye。\"It’smoretheirmannerthananythingelse，thatHarrisonmeans。\"
\"Dotheyhamperyouinthedischargeofyourduties，then？\"
\"Well，no，sir。Theyonlylookonandgrin——andturnuptheirnosesgenerally。\"
\"Ah，\"saidProutsympathetically。
\"Ithink，sir，\"saidCraye，plungingintothebusinessboldly，\"itwouldbeagreatdealbetterfftheyworesentbacktotheirstudy——betterforthehouse。Theyareratheroldtobeknockingabouttheform—rooms。\"
\"TheyareyoungerthanOrrin，orFlint，andadozenothersthatIcanthinkof。\"
\"Yes，sir；butthat’sdifferent，somehow。They’reratherinfluential。Theyhaveaknackofupsettin’thingsinaquietwaythatonecan’ttakeholdof。Atleast，ifonedoes——\"
\"Andyouthinktheywouldbebetterintheirownstudyagain？\"
EmphaticallyHarrisonandCrayewereofthatopinion。AsHarrisonsaidtoCraye，afterwards，\"They’veweakenedourauthority。They’retoobigtolick；they’vemadeanexhibitionofusoverthisusurybusiness，andwe’realaughing—stocktotherestoftheschool。I’mgoingup（forSandhurst，understood）nextterm。They’vemanagedtoknockmeoutofhalfmyworkalreadywiththeir——theirlunacy。Iftheygobacktotheirstudywemayhavealittlepeace。\"
\"Hullo，Harrison。\"McTurkambledroundthecorner，witharovingeyeonallpossiblehorizons。\"Bearin’up，oldman？That’sright。Liveitdown！Liveitdown！\"
\"Whatd’youmean？\"
\"Youlookalittlepensive，\"saidMcTurk。\"Exhaustin’jobsuperintendin’thehonorofthehouse，ain’tit？Bytheway，howareyouoffformares’—nests？\"
\"Lookhere，\"saidHarrison，hopingforinstantreward。\"We’verecommendedProuttoletyougobacktoyourstudy。\"
\"Thedooceyouhave！Andwhounderthesunare_you_tointerferebetweenusandourhousemaster？。UponmySam，youtwotryusveryhard——youdo，indeed。Ofcoursewedon’tknowhowfaryouabuseyourpositiontoprejudiceuswithMr。Prout；butwhenyoudeliberatelystopmetotellmeyou’vebeenmakin’arrangementsbehindourback——insecret——withProut——I——Idon’tknowreallywhatweoughttodo。\"
\"That’sbeastlyunfair！\"criedCraye。
\"Itis。\"McTurkhadadoptedaghastlysolemnitythatsatwellonhislong，leanface。\"Hangitall！Aprefect’sonethingandanusher’sanother；butyouseemtocombine’em。Yourecommendthis——yourecommendthat！_You_sayhowandwhenwegobacktoourstudy！\"
\"But——but——wethoughtyou’dlikeit，Turkey。Wedid，indeed。Youknowyou’llbeeversomuchmorecomfortablethere。\"Harrison’svoicewasalmosttearful。
McTurkturnedawayasthoughtohidehisemotions。
\"They’rebroke！\"HehuntedupStalkyandBeetleinabox—room。\"They’resick！
They’vebeenbeggin’HeffytoletusgobacktoNumberFive。Poordevils！Poorlittledevils！\"
\"It’stheolivebranch，\"wasStalky’scomment。\"It’sthegiddywhiteflag，bygum！
Cometothinkofit，we_have_metagrobolized’em。\"
Justafterteathatday，Mr。Proutsentforthemtosaythatiftheychosetoruintheirfuturebyneglectingtheirwork，itwasentirelytheirownaffair。Hewishedthem，however，tounderstandthattheirpresenceintheform—roomscouldnotbetoleratedonehourlonger。Hepersonallydidnotcaretothinkofthetimehemustspendineliminatingthetracesoftheirevilinfluences。HowfarBeetlehadpanderedtothebasersideofyouthfulimaginationhewouldascertainlater；andBeetlemightbesurethatifMr。Proutcameacrossanysoul—corruptingconsequences——
\"Consequencesofwhat，sir？\"saidBeetle，genuinelybewilderedthistime；andMcTurkquietlykickedhimontheankleforbeing\"fetched\"byProut。Beetle，thehouse—mastercontinued，knewverywellwhatwasintended。Evilandbriefhadbeentheircareersunderhiseye；andasonestanding_in_loco_parentis_totheiryetuncontaminatedassociates，hewasboundtotakehisprecautions。Thereturnofthestudykeyclosedthesermon。
\"Butwhatwasthebaser—side—of—imaginationbusiness？\"saidBeetleonthestairs。
\"Ineverknewsuchanassasyouareforjustifyin’yourself，\"saidMcTurk。\"IhopeIjollywellskinnedyourankle。Whydoyouletyourselfbedrawnbyeverybody？\"
\"Drawsbeblowed！ImusthavetickledhimupinsomewayIdidn’tknowabout。IfI’dhadanotionofthatbefore，ofcourseIcouldhaverubbeditinbetter。It’stoolatenow。Whatapity！’Baserside。’What_was_hedrivin’at？\"
\"Nevermind，\"saidStalky。\"Iknewwecouldmakeitahappylittlehouse。Isaidso，remember——butIswearIdidn’tthinkwe’ddoitsosoon。\"
\"No，\"saidProutmostfirmlyinCommon—room。\"ImaintainthatGillettiswrong。
True，Iletthemreturntotheirstudy。\"
\"Withyourknownviewsoncribbing，too？\"purredlittleHartopp。\"Whatanimmoralcompromise！\"
\"Onemoment，\"saidtheReverendJohn。\"I——we——allofushaveexercisedanabsolutelyheart—breakingdiscretionforthelasttendays。Nowwewanttoknow。Confess——haveyouknownahappyminutesince——\"
\"Asregardsmyhouse，Ihavenot，\"saidProut。\"Butyouareentirelywronginyourestimateofthoseboys。Injusticetotheothers——inself—defence——\"
\"Ha！Isaiditwouldcometothat，\"murmuredtheReverendJohn。
\"——Iwasforcedtosendthemback。Theirmoralinfluencewasunspeakable——simplyunspeakable。\"
Andbitbybithetoldhistale，beginningwithBeetle’susury，andendingwiththehouse—prefects’appeal。
\"Beetleinthe_ro’le_ofShylockisnewtome，\"saidKing，withtwitchinglips。\"I
heardrumorsofit——\"
\"Before？\"saidProut。
\"No，afteryouhaddealtwiththem；butIwascarefulnottoinquire。Ineverinterferewith——\"
\"Imyself，\"saidHartopp，\"wouldcheerfullygivehimfiveshillingsifhecouldworkoutonesimplesumincompoundinterestwithoutthreegrosserrors。\"
\"Why——why——why！\"Mason，themathematicalmaster，stuttered，afiercejoyonhisface，\"you’vebeenhad——preciselythesameasme！\"
\"Andsoyouheldaninquiry？\"LittleHartopp’svoicedrownedMason’sereProutcaughttheimportofthesentence。
\"Theboyhimselfhintedattheexistenceofadealofitinthehouse，\"saidProut。
\"Heispastmasterinthatline，\"saidthechaplain。\"But，asregardsthehonorofthehouse——\"
\"Theylowereditinaweek。Ihavestriventobuilditupforyears。Myownhouse—prefects——andboysdonotwillinglycomplainofeachother——besoughtmetogetridofthem。Yousayyouhavetheirconfidence，Gillett：theymaytellyouanothertale。AsfarasIamconcerned，theymaygotothedevilintheirownway。I’msickandtiredofthem，\"saidProutbitterly。
ButitwastheReverendJohn，withasmilingcountenance，whowenttothedeviljustafterNumberFivehadclearedawayaverypleasantlittlebrew（itcostthemtwoandfourpence）andwassettlingdowntoprep。
\"Comein，Padre，comein，\"saidStalky，thrustingforwardthebestchair。\"We’veonlymetyouofficial—liketheselasttendays。\"
\"Youwereundersentence，\"saidtheReverendJohn。\"Idonotconsortwithmalefactors。\"
\"Ah，butwe’rerestoredagain，\"saidMcTurk。\"Mr。Prouthasrelented。\"
\"Withoutastainonourcharacters，\"saidBeetle。\"Itwasapainfulepisode，Padre，mostpainful。\"
\"Now，considerforawhile，andperpend，_mes_enfants_。ItisaboutyourcharactersthatI’vecalledto—night。Inthelanguageoftheschools，whatthedooce_have_youbeenuptoinMr。Prout’shouse？Itisn’tanythingtolaughover。Hesaysthatyousoloweredthetoneofthehousehehadtopackyoubacktoyourstudies。Isthattrue？\"
\"Everywordofit，Padre。\"
\"Don’tbeflippant，Turkey。Listentome。I’vetoldyouveryoftenthatnoboysintheschoolhaveagreaterinfluenceforgoodorevilthanyouhave。YouknowIdon’ttalkaboutethicsandmoralcodes，becauseIdon’tbelievethattheyoungofthehumananimalrealizeswhattheymeanforsomeyearstocome。Allthesame，Idon’twanttothinkyou’vebeenpervertingthejuniors。Don’tinterrupt，Beetle。Listentome。Mr。Prouthasanotionthatyouhavebeencorruptingyourassociatessomehoworother。\"
\"Mr。Prouthassomanynotions，Padre，\"saidBeetlewearily。\"Whichoneisthis？\"
\"Well，hetellsmethatheheardyoutellingastoryinthetwilightintheform—room，inawhisper。AndOrrinsaid，justasheopenedthedoor，’Shutup，Beetle；it’stoobeastly。’Nowthen？\"
\"YourememberMrs。Oliphant’s’BeleagueredCity’thatyoulentmelastterm？\"said。
Beetle。
ThePadrenodded。
\"Igotthenotionoutofthat。Only，insteadofacity，ImadeittheColl。inafog——besiegedbyghostsofdeadboys，whohauledchapsoutoftheirbedsinthedormitory。Allthenamesarequitereal。Youtellitinawhisper，youknowwiththenames。Orrindidn’tlikeitonelittlebit。Noneof’emhaveeverletmefinishit。
Itgetsjustawfulattheendpart。\"
\"Butwhyintheworlddidn’tyouexplaintoMr。Prout，insteadofleavinghimundertheimpression——？\"
\"PadreSahib，\"saidMcTurk，\"itisn’ttheleastgoodexplainin’toMr。Prout。Ifhehasn’toneimpression，he’sboundtohaveanother。\"
\"He’ddoitwiththebesto’motives。He’s_in_loco_parentis_，\"purredStalky。
\"Youyoungdemons！\"theReverendJohnreplied。\"AndamItounderstandthatthe———theusurybusinesswasanotherofyourhouse—master’simpressions？\"
\"Well——wehelpedalittleinthat，\"saidStalky。\"IdidoweBeetletwoandfourpenceatleast，BeetlesaysIdid，butIneverintendedtopayhim。Thenwestartedabitofanargumentonthestairs，and——andMr。Proutdroppedintoitaccidental。Thatwashowitwas，Padre。HepaidmecashdownlikeagiddyDook（stoppeditoutofmypocket—moneyjustthesame），andBeetlegavehimmynote—of—handallcorrect。I
don’tknowwhathappenedafterthat。\"
\"Iwastootruthful，\"saidBeetle。\"Ialwaysam。Yousee，hewasunderanimpression，Padre，andIsupposeIoughttohavecorrectedthatimpression；butofcourseIcouldn’tbe_quite_certainthathishousewasn’tgivenovertomoney—lendin’，couldI？Ithoughtthehouse—prefectsmightknowmoreaboutitthanI
did。Theyoughtto。They’regiddypalladiumsofpublicschools。\"
\"Theydid，too——bythetimethey’dfinished，\"saidMcTurk。\"Asniceapairofconscientious，well—meanin’，upright，pure—souledboysasyou’deverwanttomeet，Padre。Theyturnedthehouseupsidedown——HarrisonandCraye———withthebestmotivesintheworld。\"
\"Theysaidso。’Theysaiditveryloudandclear。Theywentandshoutedinourear，’\"saidStalky。
\"Myownprivateimpressionisthatallthreeofyouwillinfalliblybehanged，\"saidtheReverendJohn。
\"Why，wedidn’tdoanything，\"McTurkreplied。\"ItwasallMr。Prout。DidyoueverreadabookaboutJapanesewrestlers？Myuncle———he’sintheNavy——gavemeabeautyonce。\"
\"Don’ttrytochangethesubject，Turkey。\"
\"I’mnot，sir。I’mgivin’anillustration——sameasasermon。Thesewrestler—chapshavegotsortsortoftrickthatletstheotherchapdoallthework。Thantheygivealittlewriggle，andheupsetshimself。It’scalled_shibbuwichee_or_tokonoma_，orsomethin’。Mr。Prout’sa_shibbuwicher_。Itisn’tourfault。\"
\"Didyousupposewewentroundcorruptin’themindsofthefags？\"saidBeetle。\"Theyhaven’tany，tobeginwith；andiftheyhad，they’recorruptedlongago。I’vebeenafag，Padre。\"
\"Well，IfanciedIknewthenormalrangeofyouriniquities；hutifyoutakesomuchtroubletopileupcircumstantialevidenceagainstyourselves，youcan’tblameanyoneif——\"
\"Wedon’tblameanyone，Padre。Wehaven’tsaidawordagainstMr。Prout，havewe？\"
Stalkylookedattheothers。\"Welovehim。Hehasn’tanotionhowwelovehim。\"
\"H’m！Youdissembleyourloveverywell。Haveyoueverthoughtwhogotyouturnedoutofyourstudyinthefirstplace？\"
\"ItwasMr。Proutturnedusout，\"saidStalky，withsignificance。
\"Well，Iwasthatman。Ididn’tmeanit；butsomewordsofmine，I’mafraid，gaveMr。Prouttheimpression——\"
NumberFivelaughedaloud。
\"Youseeit’sjustthesamethingwithyou，Padre，\"saidMcTurk。\"Heisquicktogetanimpression，ain’the？Butyoumustn’tthinkwedon’tlovehim，’causewedo。
Thereisn’tanounceofviceabouthim。\"
Adoubleknockfellonthedoor。
\"TheHeadtoseeNumberFivestudyinhisstudyatonce，\"saidthevoiceofFoxy，theschoolsergeant。
\"Whew！\"saidtheReverendJohn。\"Itseemstomethatthereisagreatdealoftroublecomingforsomepeople。\"
\"Myword！Mr。Prout’sgoneandtoldtheHead，\"saidStalky。\"He’samoraldouble—ender。Notfair，luggin’theHeadintoahouse—row。\"
\"Ishouldrecommendacopy—bookona——h’m——safeandcertainpart，\"saidtheReverendJohndisinterestedly。
\"Huh！Helicksacrosstheshoulders，an’itwouldslamlikeabeastlybarn—door，\"
saidBeetle。\"Good—night，Padre。We’reinforit。\"
OncemoretheystoodinthepresenceoftheHead——Belial，Mammon，andLucifer。Buttheyhadtodealwithamanmoresubtlethanthemall。Mr。Prouthadtalkedtohim，heavilyandsadly，forhalfanhour；andtheHeadhadseenallthatwashiddenfromthehouse—master。
\"You’vebeenbotheringMr。Prout，\"hesaidpensively。\"House—mastersaren’theretobebotheredbyboysmorethanisnecessary。Idon’tlikebeingbotheredbythesethings。Youarebothering_me_。Thatisaveryseriousoffense。Youseeit？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Well，now，Ipurposetobotheryou，onpersonalandprivategrounds，becauseyouhavebrokenintomytime。Youaremuchtoobigtolick，soIsupposeIshallhavetomarkmydispleasureinsomeotherway。Say，athousandlinesapiece，aweek’sgating，andafewthingsofthatkind。Muchtoobigtolick，aren’tyou？\"
\"Oh，no，sir，\"saidStalkycheerfully；foraweek’sgatinginthesummertermisserious。
\"Ve—rygood。Thenwewilldowhatwecan。Iwishyouwouldn’tbotherme。\"
Itwasafair，sustained，equablestroke，withalittledrawtoit，hutwhattheyfeltmostwashisunfairnessinstoppingtotalkbetweenexecutions。Thus：\"Amongthe——lowerclassesthiswouldlaymeopentoachargeof——assault。Youshouldbemoregratefulforyour——privilegesthanyouare。Thereisalimit——onefindsitbyexperience，Beetle——beyondwhichitisneversafetopursueprivatevendettas，because——don’tmove——soonerorlateronecomes——intocollisionwiththe——higherauthority，whohasstudiedtheanimal。_Et_ego_——McTurk，please—_in_Arcadia_vixi_。
There’sacertainflagrantinjusticeaboutthisthatoughttoappealto——yourtemperament。Andthat’sall！Youwilltellyourhouse—masterthatyouhavebeenformallycanedbyme。\"
\"Myword！\"saidMcTurk，wrigglinghisshoulder—bladesalldownthecorridor。\"Thatwasbusiness！TheProoshanBateshasaninfernalstraighteye。\"
\"Wasn’titwilyofmetoaskforthelickin’，\"saidStalky，\"insteadofthoseimpots？\"
\"Rot！Wewereinforitfromthefirst。Iknewthelookofhisoldeye，\"saidBeetle。\"Iwaswithinaninchofblubbing。\"
\"Well，Ididn’texactlysmile，\"Stalkyconfessed。