frequently gone by favour."

"So it has," said Tom Channing, throwing back his head with a whole
world of indignation in the action. "Eligible boys have been passed
over, and the most incapable dolt set up above them; all because his
friends were in a good position, and hand-in-glove with the
head-master. I don't mean Pye, you know; before he came. It's said the
last case was so flagrant that it came to the ears of the dean, and he
interfered and forbade favour for the future. At any rate, there's an
impression running through the school that merit and conduct, taken
together, will be allowed fair play."

"Conduct?" echoed Arthur Channing.

Tom nodded:--"Conduct is to be brought in, this time. One day, when the
first desk fell into a row with the head-master, through some mischief
we had gone into out of school, he asked us if we were aware that our
conduct, as it might be good or ill, might gain or lose us the
seniorship. Yorke, who is bold enough, you know, for ten, remarked that
that was a new dodge, and the master overheard the words, and said,
Yes, he was happy to say there were many new 'dodges' he had seen fit
to introduce, which he trusted might tend to make the school different
from what it had been. Of course we had the laugh at Yorke; but the
master took no more notice of it. Since then, I assure you, Mr. Yorke,
our behaviour has been a pattern for young ladies--mine, and Huntley's,
and Yorke's. We don't care to lose a chance."

Tom Channing nodded sagaciously as he concluded, and they left the room
to him and Charles.