Head of Kay's

nd even innormal circumstances there was apt to be a little sparring between thejuniors of the two houses which had been playing for the cup. In thepresent case, therefore, it was not surprising that

in front of the pavili

urn's. It is not known who actuallyadministered the first blow. But, when Fenn came out of the pavilionwith Kennedy and Silver, he found a stirring battle in progress. Themembers of the other houses who had come to look on at the match stoodin knots, and gazed with approval at the efforts of Kay's andB

terest. "It pleases them, anddoesn't hurt anybody else.""All the same," observed Jimmy Silver

ngry passions rise; yourlittle hands were ne

little beasts."He separated two heated you

g read a sort of Riot Act, moved on. Thejuniors of the beaten house, deciding that it woul

I left you last night

and today the old mansent for me and told me to come to his room from two till four. Kayhad run me in for being

with a rug and a novel on the hills at the backof the school, and he wanted to know how the

plained what

ow with Kay, and Kay gave him a sort of extra between two andfour."Fenn, b

"Atleast, they started with the idea of giving three groans. They've gotup to about three hundred by this time. It seems to have fasci

mberwhat. Your saying you're fond of music reminds me. Mulholland'scrocked himself, and won't be able to turn out for the concert.""What!" cried Kennedy. "How did it happen? What's he d

net, and somebody else--Iforget who--was at the one next to it on the right. The bowler sentdown a long-hop to leg

nduct tonight. Rather bad luck on the man,especially as he's so keen on the concert.""Who's

e'soften done it at choir practices when Mulholland couldn't turn up.

n the show, I'm hanged

n't get out of it now,"

plunging into any more strife

mySilver. "Think of the nobility and gentry. Think of me. You mustplay

He _was_ there. It

ome with meand play over your piece. I should like to see that you are perfect init. Dear me, dear me, what a noise those boys are making. Why_are_ they behaving in that extraordinary way, I wond

"Fenn did not arrive, for some reason, tillthe end of the innings, so Mr Blackburn's won. The wicket was good,but a little fiery.""Thank you, Silver," replied Mr Kay with as

at Brookwood. Well, what are you going to do, Fenn? Goingto play tonight? Hark

better turn up. I thinkyou'll enjoy it."Silve

ert was always one of the

nder Mr Mullholland's rulethe concert had become a very flourishing institution. He aimed at ahigh standard, and reached it. There was more than a touch of theaustere about the music. A glance at the programme was enough to showthe lover of airs of the trashy, clashy order that this was no placefor him. Most of th

gin made it j

ors and atthe foot of the broad stone steps that led to the G

lis, and Williams atthe junior door. The hall was

said Silver, looking i

n erected. On thisthe bulk of the school sat, leaving the body of the hall to thecrowne

r, "it's going to get warmerbefore the end of the show. Do you notice that all Kay's house aresitting in a lump at the back. I bet they're simply spoiling for arow. Especially now K

o suppose that the gall

e rhythmical stamping of many feet. The noise was loudest andthe dust thickest

rly caused the dais tocollapse, quieted down

itors glanced over thei

the prospect of holidays! Youngblood

ramme there was a tenminutes' interval. Fenn's pia

orm amidst howls of de

than merit as a musician. Kubelik or Paderewski wouldhave been welcomed with a few poli

holarship at the University."Paterfamilias' mind was accustomed to run somewhat upon scholarshipsat the Un

in his rendering of the piece,but it was undoubtedly good for a public school player. Of course hewas e

play the--My aunt! _He is!_"Three runs and half-a-dozen crashes, and the

e mad," gas

y were ready for anything. It neededbut a trifle to set them off. The lilt of that unspeakable Yankeemelody supplied that trifle. Kay's malcontents, huddled in their se

hegallery as a fire spreads through gorse. Soon three hundred pairs

on his feet, gesticulating wildly

got up from the music-stool, bowed, and walked back tohis place by the senior doo

ose to begin

he noise

ocked the doorways. It was plain to the dullestintelligence that if there was going to be

the gallery was beginning to follo

Kennedy down thesteps, "I _think_ we may call that a rec