CHAPTER IX
Black Spots
"The Avon bears to endless years
A magic voice along,
Where Shakespeare strayed in Stratford's shade,
And waked the world to song.
We heard the music soft and wild,
We thrilled to pulses new;
The winds that reared the Avon's child
Were Herga's[28] nurses too."
That evening John told Cæsar what Warde had said to him, and then added, "I mean to have a shot at 'the Swan of Avon.'" Cæsar looked glum.
"But how about the remove? We'd agreed to stay in the Second Fifth till Christmas. It's the jolliest form in the school."
"If we put our backs—and heads—into Trials,[29] we can easily get a remove."
"Blow Trials."
John turned aside.
"Look here, Jonathan," said Cæsar, eagerly. "To please me, give up your swatting scheme. We can't spoil the end of this jolly term."
He caught hold of John's arm, squeezing it affectionately. Never had our hero been so sorely tempted.