THE STRENUOUS LIFE
Sturton was as good as his word when he said he meant to work and to
make the rest of the school work with him.
"A regular nigger-driver," grumbled Masters, his face as long as a
fiddle as he read the announcement on the board in the corridor close to
the quad. "Listen to this. Here's a oner."
Very slowly, for he was not an expert at reading aloud, Masters gave the
crowd about him the contents of the notice. There was no doubt about it
either, bold though the innovation was. Sturton had put it down in big
black letters which there was no mistaking.
"Notice!" it read. "In future, with a view to bringing those at
Ranleigh to a condition of fitness, there will be compulsory
exercise for all daily. The head prefect of each dormitory will
present a list to the Captain at the end of each week, setting out
against the name of each boy what exercise he has taken daily. It
will be left to the honour of individual boys to make a truthful
return. Exercise may take the form of football, fives, running, or
gymnastics. At least an hour and a half must be spent at one of
these. For football boys may join their own dormitory scratch
games. For fives they may make up a four as formerly. In the Gym.
they will be under the direction of the sergeant. On Saturdays
there will be dormitory football, save when there is a school
match. Once a week there will be a school run.
"E. STURTON."
There it was in cold letters.
"When do we breathe and sleep?" gasped Masters, when he had assimilated
the whole of this momentous notice. "This means slavery."
"Rot!" ejaculated Bert, who happened to be near him. "It'll mean a deal
less loafing, less guzzling at the tuck, or round where the tuck-boxes
are kept, and a deal more fitness about the fellows."
"Hooray for Sturton! He means business."
It may be imagined that the innovation was discussed from every point of
view. There were plenty of fellows at Ranleigh who eagerly welcomed the
change.
"It's the best way of dealing with slackers without a doubt," said
Bagshaw. "Wish I could take part in the thing myself. By the way, of
course Sturton ought to put something about boys being excused who are
ill, and so on."
A second notice was pinned beneath the first without delay, which made
the position perfectly clear, while it showed that the Captain had no
idea of altering his decision.
"Those in the 'sick-room' will be shown as so in dormitory lists," it
ran. "Those permanently excused active exercise by doctor's orders will,
if fit for the same, carry goal-posts, referee, or otherwise make
themselves useful and interested in the games of their fellows. Absence
from the school will be the only other excuse taken."
"And what if we kick and decline to be run about by this fellow
Sturton?" asked Rawlings, who had now managed to chum up with one named
Norman, head prefect of West Dormitory, a somewhat sulky, nerveless
individual. It was a matter for wonder, in fact, how he had contrived to
ascend to the post of head prefect of West. Certainly his own ambitions
and efforts had not carried him to that exalted station. But he happened
to be a brilliant mathematician, and by no means backward in other
branches of his studies, and had therefore soon arrived at the Sixth
Form. Force of custom rather than anything else had made a prefect of
him. As a consequence, West, once noted for its brilliance in games, had
not improved under his leadership. If Norman could have his own way he
would have allowed matters to go on much as they were before Harvey took
the lead. He had grumbled then at the added energy required. He
positively growled when he had read Sturton's notice.
"What if we kick?" he repeated, for in Rawlings he found a ready and
sympathetic listener. "What'll he do? Can't kick the whole lot of us,
can he?"
"Then he'd have to grin and bear it," smiled Rawlings sardonically. "One
would think we'd come to Ranleigh to be at Sturton's beck and call.
Supposing a chap hates games; he's got to play 'em simply because of
this idiot. What will you do? Cave in?"
The question was artfully put. Rawlings made Norman believe that he
thought that such a course was only natural. In effect, he very strongly
hinted that Norman had no alternative, that he was too weak, and that he
was afraid of incurring Sturton's displeasure. And as may be imagined
with a sulky individual like Norman, opposed to active exercise of any
sort, sulkiness became swiftly stubbornness. From that instant Norman
made up his mind to oppose the captain of the school to the utmost
extent, in which decision he was secretly and actively encouraged and
helped by Rawlings.
"Of course, I'll have to send in this bothering weekly return," said
Norman, after a while, when the matter came up again for discussion.
"But that doesn't say that I'm going to bother whether the fellows have
actually been playing footer or fives or--what's the other, there's such
a heap of 'em?"
"Gym. Wonder it isn't skittles."
"Well, I shan't bother, and you can let the fellows know that."
West soon gathered the meaning of their prefect. For the benefit of that
dormitory, and to the credit of the majority of its members, it may be
stated that few availed themselves of the dark hints thrown out by
Rawlings. Sturton was a general favourite, and Ranleigh boys were wise
enough to see that a certain amount of exercise was good for everyone,
while it certainly helped to make them efficient in games and gave added
chances in school matches. _Esprit de corps_ was by no means dead in
West, and much to Norman's annoyance a goodly proportion of the boys
there followed Sturton's wishes to the very letter. A few did not. They
banded themselves on the side of Norman and Rawlings. At the Saturday
matches played between teams selected from individual dormitories the
play of the boys of West was marked by slovenliness on the part of some,
by desperate eagerness on the part of others. Even Sturton couldn't help
noticing the matter.
"It's that fellow Norman, with Rawlings behind him," said Bagshaw, who
was the Captain's right-hand man, just as he had been in the case of
Harvey. Bagshaw was, indeed, a born organiser and leader. Had he been
possessed of health and strength there was not the smallest doubt that
he would have been Ranleigh's Captain. But none but an active leader is
understood of schoolboys. Ranleigh liked and admired Bagshaw. Often
enough he was feared. But he was never admired as were Harvey and
Sturton.
"Pity, too," added Bagshaw. "Norman's a queer fellow, and wants
understanding. He can be as nice as possible if properly handled, and as
sulky as a bear if crossed. There's no doubt that he's made up his mind
to break this scheme you've started."
"Then he must stand by the consequences. But I'd be sorry to have an
upset. Look here, Bagshaw," said Sturton, "take an opportunity to speak
to him. Persuade him in a friendly way, and not as if I wished it, to
play the game and help the scheme. Everywhere else it has been
swallowed. Fellows are as keen as mustard, and what is more, I'm sure
they are happier. For there's always something to do now. It's too early
to speak yet, but the Head says he thinks the boys look better. You have
a chat with Norman."
No better envoy could have been selected. Bagshaw was a master of tact
and discretion, and it followed, therefore, that he allowed several days
to pass before accosting Norman, and even then it appeared to be a
purely accidental meeting. Moreover, the result of his tactful
discussion was, for the moment, excellent. Norman saw the error of his
ways. A strong character such as Bagshaw's easily appealed to and swayed
him. But there was Rawlings to reckon with, and that immaculate and
scheming gentleman rapidly set himself to work to upset all the good
Bagshaw had accomplished.
"So you're going to work in with Sturton?" he asked, with a sneering
smile, when Norman had confided in him. "Congratulations!"
"What else can a fellow do? He asked me," answered Norman lamely, half
apologetically, for Rawlings' sneers and gibes made him flinch.
"What else? Oh, nothing. Of course he asked you," said Rawlings
meaningly.
"Eh? Why?"
"Well, he couldn't do anything else, could he? Sturton can't compel.
This is a free country. Supposing you kicked? Why, we then come back to
the very question you asked when this tomfoolery was first started.
Supposing you kick? What can Sturton do?"
"Yes, I see; so we have. It's the same question over again," admitted
Norman.
"Well, and what can he do?"
Norman was floored. Rawlings had the peculiar power of always making him
feel as if he were a weakling and a fool, and as if others were getting
the best of him. He only wished that Bagshaw had had that discussion
with Rawlings, or when he was present. He felt angry with himself, and,
of a sudden, angry with Rawlings for his asserted superiority.
"Look here! You always know best what to do. Or think you do," he stated
bluntly. "What'd you do if you were in my place?"
"Not be led by the nose, that's one thing. Not allow the wind to blow me
both ways. Not give in as soon as I found out that a fellow was afraid
of me."
"Afraid of me! Sturton? Not he."
"Sturton, yes," said Rawlings, with another of those satirical smiles.
"Else why did he send Bagshaw to interview you? He knows you're kicking.
What can he do? He's floored. He's bound to send round and ask you to be
a good boy and help him."
"But--but Bagshaw didn't say that," replied Norman desperately. "He
pointed out that it was a pity that I should be the exception. He asked
me to think of the school."
"School be hanged!" declared Rawlings. "It's Sturton, Bagshaw's asked
you to think of. This is his pet scheme. Chaps have swallowed it because
they couldn't help. You hate it. Then why be a mug and let him win you
round with tales of the school and its honour, and so forth?"
All the good that Bagshaw had effected was destroyed in a few moments.
Norman was, as we have said, one of those vacillating fellows whose
opinions a breath will change. And here was Rawlings persuading him
against his better feelings, and persuading him, too, without much
difficulty. It may be said, indeed, that Rawlings had a perfect mastery
in that direction. It was a pity that he did not use his powers to
better purpose, while for the one he so easily twisted round his
fingers, it may be said that it was a pity in his case that Sturton did
not at once deal severely with him. For discipline and force are also
persuasive powers. There are many youths and men also who, when left to
their own devices, pursue a crooked line, their course marked by
tempers, perverseness, and ill-feeling. But, if compelled by a strong
hand, one they recognise as strong, run a course marked by its
directness, and distinguished by eagerness for their task, enthusiasm
for their leader, and the very best of tempers. Norman had it in him to
behave like that. As a leader, even in a small way, he was worse almost
than useless. Driven if need be, or led if he were wise, he could be a
most excellent ally.
However, for the moment he had been persuaded into opposing Sturton's
excellent scheme, and we must leave him and West Dormitory to their
devices.
Discussion in the ranks of the Old Firm waxed furious when first Sturton
posted his notice. But a few hours' contemplation, and some heated
arguments, soon made converts of them. Even Masters grumblingly assented
to the scheme.
"Awful nuisance, of course," he said. "But there's one thing."
"What's that?" demanded Bert.
"Exercise don't give time for impots. That beast Canning'll have to do
without 'em."
But, strangely enough, Masters began to escape impots. Seeing the energy
with which his friends threw themselves into the Captain's scheme, he
had perforce to do likewise, and to his own astonishment he found the
inclination to work in form time greater, the temptation to misbehave
less, while he was distinctly less inattentive. But there was something
more. He and Clive were deadly in earnest where football was concerned.
They played respectively inside and outside right in the forward line,
and but a few days from the beginning of the term had been lucky enough
to attract Sturton's attention.
"George!" he remarked to Bagshaw, always his close attendant. "Didn't
know those youngsters had it in them. At any rate, I didn't think
Masters could be half as fast. He stuffs so much one would think it
impossible. Look at 'em now. They've got the ball between them. Pretty!"
he shouted. "Well done, Masters and Darrell."
You could have dug a pin in deep without Clive flinching. So greatly was
he elated that he would easily have borne any suffering; while, as to
the pain of a pin prick, that was nothing. It was part of the entrance
rites of the Old Firm that a member must bear the thrust of a pin till
it was buried to the head, and that without flinching.
"Worth watching, those two youngsters. Good fellows," said Bagshaw, who
knew the inner history of every boy. "Might, one day, do for the team."
Sturton looked the two youngsters carefully up and down.
"Might," he agreed. "Two years hence, perhaps. They're real nippy
forwards, and ain't selfish. Just look at Susanne!"
The latter attracted and held their attention for some while, for the
Frenchman was a promising player. Slow, but strong, he played an
excellent game at back, and had the weight and size for kicking.
"In a year he'd be big enough and know enough of the game," said
Sturton. "Put him down, Bagshaw."
That day, in fact, saw the names of four of the Old Firm entered in
Bagshaw's list of promising Ranleighans. For in the Gym they came across
Hugh disporting himself on the horizontal bar, where he performed
cleverly.
"Yes, sir. Make a good gymnast. Been trained badly or not at all," the
sergeant told them. "But I'm watching him. This Mister Seymour'll be
good to watch and bring along. Ranleigh could do with another of those
challenge shields from Aldershot."
He nodded across to the wall of the Gym, whereon hung the shield won
outright at the Aldershot public schools competition.
A month made an indisputable difference to Ranleighans. Steady, daily
exercise told its tale without a doubt. The health of the school was
decidedly better. True, the Head had at first been astounded and almost
alarmed at the increased amount consumed at meal time. But then, the
tuck was less often visited. Boys who in past times had lolled the
afternoons away because there was nothing to do, now had no time to
slack over their tuck-boxes and gorge. It was becoming almost bad form
to gorge, though due allowance was, of course, made for the natural
capacity of growing boys. And then, throughout the school there had
arisen a friendly rivalry. The Head, with that discretion which marked
him, came forward with a dormitory cup for runs, and this was to be won
by the dormitory receiving the greater number of marks at the end of the
term for the prowess of its individuals. Another dormitory cup was put
up by a friend for football, and a third for gymnastics.
But the chief inducement of all, the aim and object of the whole school
without exception, for even here Rawlings and Norman were in agreement,
was the great annual football match with Parkland School, on this
occasion to be played at Ranleigh.
"Harvey did his best to win, so did others before him," asserted
Sturton, when six weeks of the term had gone and already a marked
improvement in the playing of football had been apparent. "We'll do our
utmost too, and choose our men carefully. I'm going to make a change
this time."
"What's that?" demanded Bagshaw.
"Choose my men early, play them constantly, and fill up gaps and the
places of those who go back in their play with reserves on my list. The
most important thing is to get our team playing together, so as to know
one another. Of course, we've a match against Ringham boys, and one or
two others. But we've always beaten them in past years, and will do so
again easily. So I mean to raise a team of masters and boys. Fortunately
there are a number of the masters who play keenly, and they with
selected boys will put up a game which will test the fellows we choose
for the big match. How's that?"
The scheme, added to Sturton's other one, was, in fact, good, and, we
must add, one practised at many schools. By carefully watching the
dormitory games, and checking the playing of boys whose names had been
recommended by their prefects, Sturton soon had a list of likely
players. Two elevens were chosen from these, and a fine game played
between them, when the Head himself helped in the selection of the final
eleven. Then, once every week, and rather oftener as the great day
approached, this eleven played a strenuous game against another composed
of masters and boys, while Bagshaw coached them and refereed at one and
the same moment. A looker on at that game could not have helped admit
that one and all were in fine condition. After all, boys cannot take
part in a weekly run, the length of which was gradually extended, in
daily exercise of some energetic nature, in gymnastics and fives and
what not, without becoming wonderfully fit. There was also the regular
morning dip, which, though not compulsory, had now become a regular
habit with the entire school. So popular was the notion indeed, that
boys now descended by dormitories, times being arranged, and a limited
period being given for the bathing.
Even West Dormitory had come up to scratch, while Norman, at first
grudgingly, and now with generous openness, expressed his approval of
Sturton's scheme, and applauded its success. But then, Bagshaw had had
something to say to that. There had been a discussion between himself
and Sturton and the Head, and as a result Rawlings had been promoted to
another dormitory.
"On probation, you will please understand," said the Head, kindly but
seriously, when informing that lordly gentleman. "Last term I had the
painful task of degrading you. Now I am advised that it would be as well
to give you another trial. You will go to East, where I hope you will
remain next term as a prefect."
As it happened, there was a sterling fellow in charge of East, a tall,
burly youth from Australia; one, too, in the habit of calling a spade a
spade, and intensely loyal to his school.
"Just the fellow to sit on Rawlings if he wishes to belittle the new
scheme," Bagshaw had advised. "At any rate, he's not likely to come
under his influence. If the Head would move Rawlings there, on
probation, and say nothing to Harper, in East, why, no one'll be the
wiser, and Norman, left to himself, will see that he's been acting like
a fool, and will come into line with the others."
The wise Bagshaw was of huge value to Sturton and to the school
generally. The plan he proposed, and which the Head adopted, worked
wonderfully. Norman regained his keenness of a sudden, while Rawlings
found himself in strange quarters. He despised this big Australian
Harper. But he took good care not to let him see that he did so, for
Harper was not the one to put up with nonsense. Rawlings was even wise
enough to keep his sneers and gibes to himself for a while, till he knew
exactly what his senior's feelings were. And on the first occasion,
when, imagining Harper to have cause for displeasure with Sturton, he
ventured to disparage that fine fellow, and belittle his scheme, Harper
turned upon him like a tiger.
"That's your sort, is it?" he asked grimly. "Don't you let me hear you
say another word against Sturton or this scheme he's started. And look
here, Rawlings. I noticed you skulking last dormitory run. You'll lead
our fellows to-morrow, and I'll be with you."
Thereafter Rawlings kept very much to himself. He hated Harper, hated
the exercise he was bound to take, and loathed Ranleigh. But, then, that
was because he was too arrogant and selfish for his fellows. If he were
disgusted, and if Harper's open contempt of him galled, there were
plenty of others at Ranleigh who loved the place, who gloried in the
improvement which Sturton had wrought, and who awaited the final test
with eagerness and no little assurance.
"We'll lick those Parkland fellows hollow," declared Masters, as he lay
in bed one evening.
"If we can," ejaculated Susanne, with caution.
"If we can!" cried Masters indignantly, sitting up promptly. "There's a
thing to say! Why, even Sturton says we've a chance, and that's
something."
It was a great deal, in fact. Sturton had taken pains to ascertain the
fighting strength of Parkland. Against that he weighed the prowess of
his own team. And, though unusually reserved in such matters, the
admission had been dragged from him that Ranleigh had a chance. That
chance the following Saturday was to see made absolutely certain or
dashed aside. Ranleigh awaited the day with a curious mixture of fear
and eagerness.