"I think it is profoundly immoral," said Prout. "I've always been
opposed to the study system."

"It would be hard to find any study where the boys don't help each
other; but in Number Five the thing has probably been reduced to a
system," said little Hartopp. "They have a system in most things."

"They confess as much," said the Reverend John. "I've seen McTurk
being hounded up the stairs to elegise the 'Elegy in a Churchyard,'
while Beetle and Stalky went to punt-about."

"It amounts to systematic cribbing," said Prout, his voice growing
deeper and deeper.

"No such thing," little Hartopp returned. "You can't teach a cow the
violin."

"In intention it is cribbing."

"But we spoke under the seal of the confessional, didn't we?" said the
Reverend John.

"You say you've heard them arranging their work in this way, Gillett,"
Prout persisted.

"Good Heavens! Don't make me Queen's evidence, my dear fellow. Hartopp
is equally incriminated. If they ever found out that I had sneaked,
our relations would suffer--and I value them."