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of fifteen. She said, ‘ Well, I know, you see, that up till now all the eligible boys have regarded North as their right when the time came. ’
    ‘ Which it won ’ t be in future. It ’ s to be a privilege they must earn. ’ As Daniel spoke the crossing gates creaked open and he put the car in motion.
    ‘ You ’ re worried about your brother ’ s reaction? ’ he asked.
    ‘ A bit. He ’ s counting on it so much. But perhaps you ’ ve forgotten how deeply people take disappointments and imaginary slights at that age? ’
    Daniel laughed shortly. ‘ That sounds as if you considered me old enough to remember, say, Mafeking Night or lamplighters! But no, I haven ’ t got so far away from my own youth that I don ’ t appreciate that growing pains can hurt like the devil. Arid after all, I shouldn ’ t be much good at this job if I couldn ’ t. ’
    He paused. Then, ‘ Take some advice from me, will you? ’ he a s ked.
    ‘ If you think I need it. ’
    He shook his head. ‘ I haven ’ t known either you or Lance long enough to judge whether you do or not. But for what it ’ s worth—don ’ t try to fight his battles for him or shoulder too many of his burdens. Sooner or later he ’ s got to accept the loss of his father, and the sooner, the happier he ’ ll be. ’
    Verity bit her lip. ‘ You think he hasn ’ t come to terms with it yet? ’
    ‘ From the little I ’ ve seen of him, it ’ s—rather evident, ’ Daniel said quietly, and dropped the subject there.
    The first Hall assembly of the term took place the next evening, after the majority of the boys had arrived. It was no part of Verity ’ s duty to attend Hall, but that night she was there in spirit with Lance, sharing his disappointment at the news he would learn from the general notices which would be read out after Prayers.
    In the morning he had grumbled that it was hardly worth while moving his gear to West House, only to move it again as soon as he was allotted a study - bedroom in North. But he had packed and gone, not to be free again until the school ’ s first half-holiday . Verity, therefore, was completely unprepared for his arrival in her office just as she was ready to lock up.
    ‘ Lance ! What — ?’
    ‘ As if you didn ’ t know !’ he cut in rudely.
    ‘ But have you got leave? ’
    ‘ Of course. Old Nick gave me a quarter of an hour and that should be enough. Look, V., you knew, didn ’ t you? About my not getting North? ’
    She nodded. ‘ Yes. ’
    ‘ Mother too, I suppose? ’
    ‘ No, she didn ’ t know. ’
    ‘ Well, that ’ s something — But you did and you hadn ’ t the decency to tell me. Why not? ’
    ‘ I couldn ’ t, Lance. I ’ ve known for more than a week, but only through a confidential memo to the staff, and I hadn ’ t the right to pass it on to you. ’
    ‘ You hadn ’ t the right! Lord, how hidebound can you get! And d ’ you suppose that if Father had brought in such a fool rule, he wouldn ’ t have given me a hint first ?’
    ‘ But Mr. Wyatt isn ’ t Father, ’ murmured Verity wretchedly.
    ‘ Too right he isn ’ t. He hasn ’ t a clue. Anyway, I suppose you think I enjoyed hearing, slap out in front of the whole school, that North wasn ’ t on for me? ’
    ‘ It ’ s not just you. Barnes Senior and Kennet and Crossman were due for North as well. Besides, it ’ s only until half-term. ’
    ‘ When it ’ s to be a plum offered to good boys only! And you don ’ t think I can ’ t guess that the whole thing is geared against me? Just me? ’
    ‘ Lance, don ’ t be silly! Of course it isn ’ t !’
    ‘ It is, I tell you. The man hates me. Well, that makes two of us. ’
    ‘ You can ’ t hate him. You hardly know him. You only resent his taking Father ’ s place. ’
    ‘ And you don ’ t, eh? But why, need I ask? In just the fortnight I ’ ve been away, you ’ d got matey enough to go out with him last night! ’
    ‘ Only because Mother asked him to take me