safe, so all the team except the two kids, fags, you know, had a feed
in honour of it in Henfrey's study. Some ass went and bought a bad
rabbit pie, and now they're laid up. Not badly, but they won't be out
for a day or two."

"But what about the match?"

"Oh, that'll go on. I made a point of that. They can play subs."

Mansfield looked thoughtful.

"But I say," he said, "it isn't very sporting, is it? Oughtn't we to
wait or something?"

"Sporting! My dear chap, a case like this mustn't be judged by
ordinary standards. We can't spoil the giant rag of the century
because it isn't quite sporting. Think what it means--Shields' getting
the cup! It'll keep the school laughing for terms. What do you want to
spoil people's pleasure for?"

"Oh, all right," said Mansfield.

"Besides, think of the moral effect it'll have on the house. It may
turn it into the blood house of Wrykyn. Shields himself may get quite
sportive. We mustn't miss the chance."

The news having got about the school, Clephane and Mansfield opened
their second innings to the somewhat embarrassed trundling of Masters
Royce and Tibbit, of the Junior School, before a substantial and
appreciative audience.