"If you are all to stop in this room, I and Tom shall never get our
lessons done," was all the reply made by Charles, as he drew a chair to
the table and opened his exercise books.

"And I never could afford that," cried Tom, following his example, and
looking out the books he required. "It won't do to let Huntley and
Yorke get ahead of me."

"Trying for the seniorship as strenuously as ever, Tom?" asked Mr.
Yorke.

"Of course I am," replied Tom Channing, lifting his eyes in slight
surprise. "And I hope to get it."

"Which of the three stands the best chance?"

"Well," said Tom, "it will be about a neck-and-neck race between us. My
name stands first on the rolls of the school; therefore, were our
merits equal, in strict justice it ought to be given to me. But the
master could pass me over if he pleased, and decide upon either of the
other two."

"Which of those two stands first on the rolls?"

"Harry Huntley. Yorke is the last. But that does not count for much,
you know, Mr. Yorke, as we all entered together. They enrolled us as
our initial letters stood in the alphabet."

"It will turn wholly upon your scholastic merits, then? I hear--but
Helstonleigh is famous for its gossip--that in past times it has