Mr Jarman must have felt flattered at the gloomy dead silence which
fell on Philosophers and Urbans alike as we looked round and saw him.
It was of course impossible to believe he had found us by accident,
still less that he had come with any friendly purpose.
He advanced into the middle of the Bottom, watch in hand.
"This is contrary to rules," said he. "It is now a quarter-past six,
and you are half an hour from Low Heath. In addition to which I have
already said that fireworks are only to be had with leave. Tempest, you
should have put an end to this. You will kindly send me in the name of
every boy here. And each of you boys must attend an extra drill to-
morrow and write out one hundred lines--except," added he, catching
sight of me, "except Jones iv., whom I have already had to punish, and
who must write two hundred lines."
It was a study to watch Tempest's face during this speech. It was all
he could do to wait to the end.
"It's not fair," said he, with pale cheeks and angry brow. "It's a
half-holiday, and boys always get half an hour's grace."
"That is not the rule," said the master.
"It's the practice, sir. Half these boys are in my house, and I have
given them leave to stay. I also allowed the fireworks."
"Tempest, we will speak of this presently--"
"No, sir," blurted out Tempest, "the fellows have done nothing wrong;
and if they have, I'm responsible to Dr England about it."
Mr Jarman was not the man to give himself away in a public discussion,
and coolly walked off, observing--
"I shall expect the list of names to-night, Tempest."
Tempest's reply was a short, defiant laugh, which made the master turn a
moment, as if about to notice it. But he departed silently, and left us
to recover as well as we could from the surprise of the whole scene.
The general opinion was that the policeman had met his match at last in
Tempest; and the more enthusiastic of us tried to express our feelings
in words. But Tempest was by no means inclined to discuss the
situation.
"Shut up," he replied angrily, when I ventured to applaud his courage.
"Cut back to school at once, and don't speak to me."
This was a blow to some of the party, who had calculated on a general
revolt, to be headed by the rock of Sharpe's house in person, and
celebrated by general orgies on the spot.
"I sha'n't do my lines, shall you?" said Dicky, as we trotted down to
the boats.
"Rather not. And I don't think our chaps will turn up for extra drill."
"Just like old Tempest," said Brown. "He enjoys a row of this kind."
"He didn't look as if he did," remarked I. "Perhaps that was because
such a lot of day chaps are mixed up in it."
Brown looked a little glum at this.
"He needn't bother about us unless he likes," said he. "We can take
care of ourselves, I fancy."
Luckily at this stage we reached the boats, and further discussion was
interrupted.
The voyage home was comparatively uneventful. It was of course
enlivened by a desultory race with the Urbans all the way, in which, I
regret to say, Mr Jorrocks's boats received a few scratches, owing to
the desire of each boat to take the water of its opponent before it was
clear ahead. The town-boys unrighteously claimed in the end to have won
by a quarter of a length, but as in passing our leader they had pulled
away one of our bow oars and further turned the nose of the _Sarah_ into
the bank, we stoutly resisted their claim, and a very lively argument
ensued, in which Mr Jorrocks lost a good deal of varnish, and most of
the combatants became rather wet. However, we were back in school
within half an hour of embarking, which on the whole was not a bad
record.
Curiosity to know what Tempest would do prevented us from so much as
thinking of our "lines." I took an early opportunity of presenting
myself in Pridgin's study, feeling sure I should be likely to hear
something of the matter there.
As it happened, Tempest and Wales were there too, in deep confabulation.
"Look here, old chap," Pridgin was saying, "don't spoil your term for a
parcel of yelping young puppies like this kid here and his lot. They're
not worth it."
"For all that," said Wales, "it's a question of whether the cock of a
house is to be allowed his rights or not."
"It's more a question whether Jarman is to be allowed his rights," said
Tempest. "I quite agree that these young muffs are a nuisance, and it's
all the more aggravating to be dragged into a mess by them. But he'd no
right to interfere."
"Strictly speaking, I suppose he was right," said Pridgin. "There is a
rule about juniors being in by 6:30; although every one knows half an
hour's grace is given on half-holidays. And I suppose he's right about
the fireworks."
"You think I ought to cave in?" asked Tempest.
"I don't say that. But I'd let the matter alone."
"We shall never stop Jarman at that rate," said Wales. "I should say
fight it out."
"All very well for you and me," said Pridgin, "who are comfortably out
of it. But it means a big job for old Tempest. He'll have to bear the
brunt of it."
"I can't well drop it when he's told me to give him a list of the
youngsters present," said Tempest.
"You certainly are not called upon to give him a list of the day boys."
"Well, as I only know one of them, it wouldn't be easy. If he'd only
lagged me, and given me extra drill and lines, it wouldn't have been so
bad. But it was playing it low down to--"
Here came a knock at the door, and the school messenger entered with a
letter.
"No answer," said he, handing it to Tempest.
It was plain to see by the flush on Tempest's face as he read it that it
contained anything but pleasant news.
"It's from Jarman," said he, throwing it down on the table.
Wales took it up and read it.
"Mr Jarman informs Tempest that the list of names required in
connection with this afternoon's incident will not be required, as Mr
Jarman already has it. Tempest will please attend the extra drill with
the other boys of his house to-morrow, as his conduct this afternoon was
neither respectful nor a good example to others."
"Whew!" exclaimed Pridgin, rising, for a wonder, out of his chair;
"that's a nasty one, if you like. He's taken you at your word, old man.
Who's given the list of names? Did you, you young sweep?" he demanded
of me.
"Oh no," said I, glad to be recognised under any term of endearment. "I
wouldn't think of doing such a thing. But I'll tell you what I think."
"Really, Jones iv., it's nice to know you do think; but, if you don't
mind, we would rather not hear. If you _know_ anything, let us hear it,
but spare us your thoughts."
Pridgin was rather crushing sometimes.
"I meant we were marked off by the porter at the lodge as we came in,"
said I. "Perhaps that's how he's got the names."
"Evidently," said Pridgin, "he's had you for once. Tempest. He guessed
there'd be a bother about the list, and he has taken the wind out of
your sails. You'll attend extra drill, of course."
"Certainly."
"So that," said Wales, "all you will score by the affair will be a
public disgrace before the juniors."
Tempest's half dismal, half wrathful face was answer enough.
"_We_ sha'n't consider it a disgrace," said I.
"Thank you very much, Jones iv. If that is so, we shall feel it was
worth living for to have your approbation. Now you had better go and
write out your lines."
"What?" said I. "I thought we were none of us going to do that."
"I have warned you once against the perils of thinking. It's a bad
habit for little boys. Off you go, or you won't get your _poena_ done
in time."
"What am I to tell the others?" I inquired.
"You may tell them it's a fine evening. Cut--do you hear?"
It was a great come-down. The Philosophers thought so when I reported
the case. Some were inclined to be angry with Tempest, others to pity
him; and every one was unanimous, I do not know why, in expressing a
burning desire to kick me.
The expectation of a general revolt, headed by Tempest in person, and
reinforced by the Urbans, faded dismally away as the company saw itself
going down to "knock off" Mr Jarman's lines.
"This comes," said Langrish, rather illogically, I thought, "of getting
mixed up with the day-boy cads. I knew it would land us in a mess, and
so it has."
"Anyway, they're in the mess too," said Trimble.
"It's a little rough on Tempest having to show up for them as well as
for us," said I.
"Shut up, and let a fellow write his lines, can't you?" growled Coxhead.
"When we want Sarah's advice we'll ask for it."
The reader will gather from this that the Philosophers were in bad
tempers, and that their president was in imminent danger of losing his.
At noon next day, when most of the school was turning out after morning
class into the fields, a melancholy band might have been seen dropping
in, in irregular order, at the door of the school gymnasium. All except
one were juniors. Some looked as if they were used to the thing, other
betrayed the shy and self-conscious embarrassment of the first
delinquents. None looked cheerful, not a few looked savage. The
exception in point of age was a well set-up, square-shouldered, proud-
faced senior, who entered with an air of reckless disgust which was not
comfortable to look at, and might be dangerous if provoked. None of us
spoke to Tempest, and he vouchsafed no sign of recognition of us.
A squad of the school volunteers, chiefly composed of smart boys from
Mr Selkirk's house, were concluding drill as we entered, and of course
took stock of our dejected looks and of Tempest's unwonted appearance as
they filed out.
"A row on, eh?" whispered one, as he passed us.
"It doesn't look like fun, does it?" snarled Langrish.
"Where does Tempest come in?" persisted the inquirer.
"By the door; and the sooner you get out by it the better."
"Ha, ha!--poor little naughty boys. An extra drill will do you good.
Come on, you chaps. Let's leave them to enjoy themselves. They'll get
used to it in time. Ho, ho!"
"Fall in!" called Mr Jarman.
And painfully conscious not only that a few of the volunteers were
hanging about to look on, but that the school porter was at the moment
conducting a party of visitors through the building, we obeyed
listlessly and dismally. Tempest taking his place at the end of the
line.
"Are these some of the volunteers?" we heard one of the lady spectators
ask.
"No, madam. This is an extra drill for breach of rules," replied the
official.
"Number from the right," cried Mr Jarman.
We numbered.
"Answer to your names," said the discipline master, producing a paper.
We could not help noticing that Tempest's name was mixed in along with
ours, and that no difference was made on account of his age or status.
We were then formed into double rank, and fours, and open order, and put
through a hideous series of extension exercises, irksome enough at any
time, but under present circumstances specially so. I heard Dicky Brown
beside me groan as he stood leaning over with his left knee bent, his
right leg stretched out behind, and his two arms doubled up at his side.
"I wonder they don't all kick," he whispered.
"Not easy like this," said I.
"How Tempest must be enjoying it!" Dick murmured.
"Poor beggar! it's a nasty dose for him."
But if Mr Jarman counted on any protest or resistance from his senior
victim, he was disappointed. Tempest went patiently and impassively
through the drill with the rest of us; but, as we could see, with a
blazing eye fixed all the while on the master. But I could guess the
struggle that was going on in my friend's breast. Mr Jarman may have
flattered himself he was "taking it out of him", Dicky and I knew
better.
We all took our cue from Tempest that morning, and any inclination to
rebel or mutiny was suppressed. We contented ourselves with glaring at
our tormentor, and denying him the excuse he probably desired of
prolonging the agony. My impression is that Mr Jarman was never so
happy as when he realised that he was absolute master of the situation.
The Roman emperors were not in it with him.
"Attention! Front!" said he at last, when the proceedings were becoming
dull even to him. "Stand at ease! Attention! Stand at ease!
Attention! Left turn! Dismiss! As you were! Dismiss!"
It was a prolonged insult, and we knew it. But Tempest stood it, and
so, consequently, did we. But as we filed from the place we felt that
Mr Jarman's turn would come some day.
Tempest, contrary to general expectation, evinced no haste to leave the
scene of his tribulation. There was yet a quarter of an hour to next
bell, and this he evidently decided to spend, as he had the right to do,
where he was. Mr Jarman was evidently annoyed to find, not only that
the senior was apparently unaffected by the humiliation through which he
had passed, but that now the drill was over he evinced an entire
unconcern in the master's presence.
Tempest was one of the best gymnasts in the school, and it was always
worth while to watch him on the trapeze and horizontal bar. So the
Philosophers and Urbans, by one consent, trooped back into the gymnasium
to look on, and (what must have been particularly annoying to the
master, because he had no authority to stop it) to cheer. How we did
cheer, and what good it did us! Had Tempest been the meanest of
performers, and done nothing but swing with his legs doubled up under
him from one ring to the next, we should have applauded. But to-day his
flights were terrific. No fellow was less given to show off, and he
probably objected to our applause as much as Mr Jarman. But he was
bound to relieve his feelings somehow, and the trapeze was just what he
wanted.
When finally the bell rang, and we were hoarse with cheering (which was
our way of relieving our feelings) he came to earth decidedly better for
his exercise.
Mr Jarman evidently was impressed, and, to our surprise, even ventured
on a compliment.
"You did that well, Tempest."
Tempest's reply was to walk away, putting on his coat as he went.
It was plain to see by the angry twitch of Mr Jarman's mouth that the
shaft of this public snub had gone home, and we who looked on and
witnessed it all had little need to tell ourselves that civil war had
already been declared.
It is hardly necessary to state that the extraordinary meeting of the
Conversation Club that evening was lively, and that there was no lack of
a topic. Besides our own contingent, a few of the outsiders, including
Muskett and Corderoy from Selkirk's house, and a few of the "paupers,"
dropped in. As the faggery would only conveniently hold six persons,
and as at least twenty were present, it was considered advisable to
adjourn to the shoe-room, where, in the dim light of a small candle,
several particularly revolutionary motions were discussed, the company
sitting on the floor for the purpose.
The meeting opened by my calling on Langrish to read the minutes, which
he accordingly did.
"The inaugural picnic of the Ph.C.C. was held the other day. Present,
all the usual lot and seven paupers. The president had chartered the
_Sarah_ and _Firefly_, two of the vilest crocks at Jorrocks's."
"He said they were the best they had got," I explained.
"Shut up, or you'll be kicked out, young Sarah."
"I've a right to speak."
"No, you haven't--unless you hold your tongue."
"If I held my tongue, I couldn't possibly speak," I explained.
"Turn him out!" cried the paupers. Whereat I subsided.
"The paupers," continued the minutes, "had beastly little go in them,
and ought to have had a meal of hay before starting (interruption), and
will be badly kicked if they don't shut up. The _Firefly_ had the best
of the race up." (Here there were most indignant protests from the crew
of the gallant _Sarah_; and the question was argued out with some energy
on the floor of the shoe-room before Langrish could proceed.)
"Nature was dressed in her most pristine colours, and the incandescent
hues of the autumn leaves brought cries of enjoyment out of the mouths
of the Ph.C.C, except the paupers, whose mouths were too full for
utterance."
This paragraph was not likely to pass unchallenged. Coxhead impeached
its grammar, Trimble its taste, and the paupers its accuracy, and a very
heated argument ensued, at the end of which it was agreed to let the
door stand open a few minutes to get rid of the dust.
"Arrived at Camp Hill, a flock of jibbering apes were discovered, headed
by the president's arch-enemy. Brown iii."
"No, he's not my enemy," protested I. "I never said so."
"The minutes say so. They're more likely to be right than you."
"But I like Dicky Brown," said I.
"That sounds like poetry," said Warminster, "ho, ho!
"I like Dicky Brown,
His cheek is so cool,
And if I don't kick him
You call me a fool."
"I can do that whether you kick him or not," said I, quite unmoved by
this brilliant impromptu.
Here I was compelled to vacate the chair for a few moments, in order to
discuss the matter further with Warminster. On order being restored,
the minutes proceeded--
"The Philosophers soon made it too hot for these mules, and they were
only allowed to stay on the ground as it amused us to see their idiotic
sniggers. The paper on 'Beauty' was rot, and invoked well-deserved
hisses."
"Say that again," ejaculated the outraged Trimble.
"_That_! there you are," said Langrish hurriedly. But Trimble had more
to say on the subject, and once again the meeting became warm and dusty.
"Order, please; let's hear the rest," said I, when both had been brushed
down by their friends.
"As for Sarah's speech in reply, it was the drivellingest balderdash you
ever heard. It made the club blush."
"That speaks well for it," I suggested mildly.
The meeting did not seem to know how exactly to take this, but concluded
it was meant to be complimentary, and contented themselves with ordering
me to "shut up" if I didn't want to be kicked out.
"Tempest (loud cheers) turned up presently and backed us up (cheers).
The baboons weren't in it in the sports. We pulled off the tug of war
on our heads (cheers), and their speeches were even drivellinger than
Trim's and Sarah's. (Interruption.) Just at the end a howling sneak
and cad and outsider called Jarman came, and lagged us all, including
Tempest. (Groans.) Our president behaved like a mutton-head
throughout. Going home, the Philosophers led by several miles. The
meeting then adjourned for extra drill in the gym. to-day, and mean to
pay Jarman out." (Cheers.)
The patriotic sentiment with which the minutes concluded did away with
any little difference arising earlier is the evening, and they were
carried unanimously.
It was then moved, seconded, thirded, fourthed, and fifthed, "that
Jarman be, and is hereby, hung, and ought to be kicked."
It was further agreed, "that Tempest be elected an Honorary Philosopher,
and be let off entrance fee."