Tales of St. Austin's

nce a trifle less exhilarating than it might have been. In some ways the last few weeks before the Easter holidays are quite pleasant. You can put on runni

all very amusing and harmless, but it is apt to become monotonous after a time. And

w of the fact that the final House-match had yet to be played, and that Merevale's was one of the two teams that were going to play it, it behoved him to keep himself at least moderately fit. The genial muffin and the

would dissemble his joy, and mildly suggest that somebody else should hold the watch. Then there was Jim Thomson, generally a perfect mine of elevating conversation. He was in for the mile and also the half, and refused to talk about anything except those distances, and the best methods for running them in the minimum of time. Charteris began to feel a blue melancholy stealing over him. The Babe, again. He might have helped to while away the long hours, but unfortunately the Babe had been taken very bad with a notion that he was going to win the 'cross-country run, and when, in addition to this, he was seized with a panic with regard to the prospects of the House team in the final, and began to throw out hints concerning strict training, Charteris regarded him as a person

official periodical which he had started for the amusement of the School and his own and his contributors' profit. He was just warming to his work, and beginning to enjoy himself, when the door opened without a preliminary knock. Charteris deftly slid a piece of blotting-pa

ce, in a look of holy enthusiasm. Charteris knew what that look meant

be,' he said

slacking in here on th

oms, which will cause a profound sensation in the Common Room. At least it would, if they ever saw it, but they won't. O

mly, 'you haven't taken

is watch only last night. The Babe refused to ac

sternly at his victim, 'it's all very well, you know, but the final co

s fit as a prize fighter. Simp

declined

seriously. It's getting jolly serious, really. If Dacre's w

of infinite-resource-and-sagacity; 'not so,

ree's bad

, three is qui

there you are

s looked

laining that remark

le, and was prowling round the r

laying at?' enq

keep your fo

my footer things, if yo

put them on, and then y

aid Cha

o keep you in training. Hu

nd flung out a mass of football clothes. It remind

rote

bout like that. I'm very particular about how I look on the football field. I was always taught

,' said the

want to go for a run. I'm gettin

e. 'We mustn't chuck an

all have to do all we

onsidering we've got three of the First three-quarter line

, and Reeve-Jones out of the second. And their outsides aren't so very bad, if you come to think of it. Bannister's in the first, and the other three-quarters are al

ew leaf. I will be good. Give me my things and I'll come for a

ed Babe. 'We won't go far, a

a duck-pond, and that sort of thing. I only know it because Welch and I ran there once last year. It's in the Badgwick direction, about three miles by road, mostly along the

about tea though? Are yo

t Inhabitant is qu

nding wonder to the Babe and other Merevalian

ly in motion, he was enjoying himself thoroughly. He wondered why on earth he had been so reluctant to come for this run. The knowledge that there were three miles to go, and

y a yard between them, much to the admiration of the Oldest Inhabitant, who was smoking a thoughtful pipe in his front garden. Mrs Oldest Inhabitant came out of the cottage at the sound of voices, and C

ime when he could think of anything to say. Charteris appeared to be quite a friend of the family. He enquired after the Oldest Inhabitant's rheumatics. It

the future. Amongst other things, there were going to be some sports at Rutton today week, and his nevvy was going to try and win the cup for what the Oldest Inhabitant vaguely described as 'a race'. He had won it last

n sports, produced a programme of the same, which her nevvy had sent them. From this it seemed that the nevvy's

trangers' mile. I'm a demon at the mile whe

rogramme back a

really think I shall go in for that race. It would be a most awful

be a fearful row about it if you were found o

comes off on a Thursday,

but

' said Charteris. 'You n

e my advice, y

en noted, and will rece

'Put on the

tride, and conversation