“Come here,” said Mr. Harmer; “I want to examine you, to see in which division I can place you.”
Alfred answered the questions put to him sufficiently well to be placed in the first division.
“I hope, Davidson, you will work well, so that I may be able to keep you in this division. If not, of course I shall put you down into the second. You can go back to your seat again.”
Walter Parker assisted Mr. Harmer by taking the youngest and the most backward boys. Herbert King was his equal as far as knowledge went, but the master had chosen Walter in preference to King, as he was more patient and careful in the work. These two boys were the principal soloists, but as King’s voice was beginning to show signs of breaking, it was necessary to have another boy in training, ready to take his place later on. King had hoped that his brother would obtain a place in the choir, but the organist, Dr. Phillips, and Mr. Young, the precentor (one of the clergy who assist in directing the musical services), had both chosen Alfred to fill the vacancy. This was one reason why King felt anything but friendly towards the newcomer.
As the boys were going home, one of them, Stephen Gray, filled a paper bag with water at the school tap, unseen by Alfred, who was slowly sauntering along.
“What are you going to do with that?” inquired Walter Parker.
“Wait and see,” replied Steve, running on and calling out to Alfred. “Davidson!”
“What do you want?” replied Alfred.
“Can you catch?”
“I think so.”