Part 20 (1/2)

”What do you mean?”

”You know quite well what I mean. I don't think it's your fault; it is the fault of this rotten system under which we live. You are not what you were when you first came. Of course, it is natural to crib and fool about, but you are going a bit far. One day you will be captain of this House. You'll be sorry then.”

”Oh, don't be a d.a.m.ned a.s.s, Betteridge, preaching to me. I know what I am doing. It's not long that I shall have to enjoy myself. I shall be in the Sixth soon, and shall have to slow down then. But at present I shall do d.a.m.ned well what I like. After all, what does it matter if I do rot all day and muck about generally? It makes no difference to you or the House. It's my own d.a.m.ned business, and besides, everyone else does it!”

It was useless to reason with him. The argument that ”others do it” is impossible to combat. And, after all, environment is what counts, and it is a fairly dangerous environment with which to surround any but the average sensual being who eats, drinks, laughs and is merry, and never thinks at all. And yet masters are surprised when they find the big man whom they thought impregnable following the accepted customs. They say: ”What a pity! A fine fellow gone to the dogs, and after all we've done for him, too!” and yet whose fault is it?

But this is by the wayside. For better or for worse the character of Gordon Caruthers was developing on its own lines. Criticism should be withheld till the last threads are woven, and we can judge of the complex whole.

The summer term was drawing to a close. It had not been very successful as far as Gordon was concerned. His cricket had frankly been a failure, and the prominence he had gained in his House hardly compensated for the misgivings with which the Chief and Buller regarded his future. It seemed as if he could not help running up against ”the Bull.”

A-K was knocked out of the Senior House compet.i.tion at once. They drew Christy's and were beaten by an innings. Gordon made eleven and fifteen, and was missed three times while making them. Foster, however, got a very st.u.r.dy thirty-three not out, and took three wickets. He got his House cap. Gordon was furious, and swore that he was jolly well not going to try any more that term.

During the final senior he was strolling round the field with Tester, both of them in cloth suits, unchanged for games. ”The Bull” came up behind them.

”Caruthers, why aren't you changed this afternoon?”

”Well sir, we only had a House game this afternoon, so Tester and I got leave off to watch the match.”

”But your House is not playing in it.”

”No, sir.”

”Well, then, what on earth do you mean by slacking about the field like this? It's your duty to be training yourself too, so that some day you may be of some use to Fernhurst, and here are you slacking about, instead of asking the pro. to give you a net. Slackness! filthy slackness! I don't know what's wrong with you this term; you were quite keen once.”

He strolled off, scratching the back of his head. ”The Bull” always did this when in a bad temper.

”Poor old chap,” murmured Tester, ”he takes these little things so much to heart. He loathes me because I don't sweat myself to death all day at the nets. He never said anything to me; he has given me up as a bad job.

Poor old chap!”

”Well, I suppose we ought to have been at the nets,” said Gordon.

”If we did everything that we ought to do in this world, we should never have a moment's time to do the things we liked.”

”I suppose so,” said Gordon, ”but still, you know--oh, well, what the h.e.l.l does it matter? By Jove, well hit, d.y.k.e!”

The conversation turned again to the match.

Next term Gordon had arranged to have a study with Lovelace. Tester was going to be a prefect, and wanted to himself the big upstairs study that Clarke had had. Gordon was staying in No. 1.

He was not sorry. He did not quite understand Tester; he was too clever, and Gordon never knew exactly what he was driving at. Lovelace, on the other hand, was his best friend; they had played together in several sides, and next term Lovelace would captain the footer Colts. The future seemed very roseate. Moreover, he was certain to get into the Sixth, and that meant many privileges. He did not have to attend rolls, he could be late for tea, there was no need for him to get leave to speak to anyone in hall. It meant many study hours, and it would also bring him into contact with the Olympians. There was Garter, who had been in the Sixth four terms, and was in the Second Fifteen. He would meet Betteridge.

There was Rudd to rag. Prothero had reduced his time-table to one hour in school a day, and was an authority to consult on any subject regarding avoiding work. Davenport would be promoted, too. Gordon's day of power was beginning to dawn. Next term he would be distinctly a House blood. It was a ravis.h.i.+ng thought.

One evening in exam. week Hunter announced casually after tea: ”I say, do you remember Betteridge talking once about a man called Ferrers?

Well, he is coming here as a master next term.”