“I declare this dull old place was getting quite lively before last holidays,” says Mackworth; “we shall soon get things all right here.”
“Fancy that fellow Power head of the school,” said Harpour, bursting into a roar of scornful laughter, echoed in faint sniggerings by Jones and Tracy.
“Might as well have a jug of milk and water head of the school,” sneered Mackworth.
“Or a bottle of French polish, I should think,” casually suggests Henderson, who, en passant, has heard the last remark.
“Damn that fellow,” says Mackworth, stamping, “by Jove, I’ll be even with him some day.”
“Is he one of the new monitors?” asks Jones.
“Yes,” says Tracy, “and Evson’s another;” and at Walter’s name the faces of all four grew darker; “and Kenrick’s a third.”
“O, Kenrick is, is he? that’s all right. Jolly fellow is Ken,” observes Harpour, approvingly. “Yes, quite up to snuff,” adds Jones; “and a thorough gentlemanly chap,” assents Mackworth; for, amazing to relate, Kenrick is on good terms with these fellows now, though he has never spoken to Walter yet.
“Of good family, too, on the mother’s side,” drawls Tracy, with his hand lifting his locks.
“I say, old fellows,” says Harpour, with many knowing looks and winks, and poking of his friends in the ribs. “I say, stunning tap at Dan’s, you know, eh? I say;” whereupon the others laugh, and Belial Mackworth observes, “And let those monitors try to peach if they dare. We’ll soon have them under our thumb.”