justly proud.

"I wish I was going too," said Acton, addressing the three friends;
"but my people are going to send me to a school in Germany. My brother
John is there; he's one of the big chaps, and is captain of the football
team this season. I'm going to get the _Denfordshire Chronicle_ every
week, to see how they get on in the matches."

Early in October the goal-posts were put up in the field, and the
Birchites commenced their football practice. Mr. Blake was a leading
member of the Chatford Town Club, and although six a side was
comparatively a poor business, yet under his instruction they gained a
good grounding in the rudiments of the "soccer" of the period. The old
system of dribbling and headlong rushes was being abandoned in favour of
the passing game, and forwards were learning to keep their places, and
to play as a whole instead of as individuals.

"Come here, you fellows," said the master, walking into the playground
one morning, with a piece of paper in his hand; "I've got something to
speak about."

The boys crowded round, wondering what was up.

"I've got hero a challenge from Horace House to play a match against
them, either on our ground or on theirs. I think it's a pity that you
shouldn't have an opportunity of playing against strangers. Of course
they are bigger and heavier than we are, and we should probably get
licked; but that isn't the question: any sportsman would sooner play a
losing game than no game at all, and it'll be good practice. We always
used to have a match with them every term; but some little time ago