there seemed to be a lack--well, I'll say of good sportsmen among them,
and the meetings had to be abandoned. I've talked the matter over with
Mr. Welsby, and he seems willing to give the thing another trial."

An excited murmur ran through the crowd.

"Wait a minute," interrupted the speaker, holding up his hand.
"Mr. Welsby has left it with me to make arrangements for the match, and
I shall only do so on one condition. I know that since the event
happened to which I referred a moment ago a decidedly unfriendly spirit
has existed between you and the boys at Mr. Phillips's. Now an
exhibition of this feeling on a football field would be a disgrace to
the school. You must play like gentlemen, and there must be no
wrangling or disputing. They are agreeable for a master to play on each
side, so I shall act as captain. Anything that has to be said must be
left to me, and I shall see you get fair play. Do you clearly
understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well, then, I'll write and say we shall be pleased to play them
here on Saturday week."

The prospect of mooting the Philistines in the open field filled the
mind of every boy with one thought, and the whole establishment went
football mad. It was played in the schoolroom and passages with empty
ink-pots and balls of paper, in the bedrooms with slippers and sponges,
and even in their dreams fellows kicked the bed-clothes off, and woke up
with cries of "Goal!" on their lips.