The Head turned to Radley.

“Mr. Radley, is he a fool?”

“He’s anything but a fool, sir; and he’s still less of a knave,” said Radley, angry and caring only to repudiate Fillet’s innuendo.

“Ray,” Salome was again staring me out of countenance.  “Do you ever do any work?”

“Yes, sir,” I said brightly.  It was kind of him to ask questions to which I could honestly answer in the affirmative.  I did occasionally do some work.

“Mr. Fillet?” queried Salome, desiring the housemaster to have his say.

“I suppose there are idler boys,” announced Fillet grudgingly; and it was open to anyone to hear in his words the further meaning; “but, on the other hand, there are many more studious and more deserving.”  The fact is, the little man was irritated that Radley should have tried to contradict him before the Head.

“Mr. Radley?” pursued Salome, as though he were bored with the evidence, but realised that everyone must be allowed his turn to speak.

“Ray has always worked well for me,” Radley promptly answered, and we all knew he meant it as a second stab for Fillet.

Salome once more fixed me with his disconcerting stare.

“Ray,” he asked, “have you any glimmerings of moral courage?”

“I don’t know, sir,” said I, wondering where the conversation was leading.

The Head, apparently tired out by this catechising, contented himself with turning his face in the direction of Fillet for his endorsement or denial.

“He’s as bold as they make ’em,” said Fillet; and this time the double meaning was as clear as before:  “the boy is utterly shameless.”

The Head turned to Radley, who answered with a snap: 

“Yes, he’s plenty of courage; and what’s better, he’s easily shamed.”

“Bless me, are you any good whatever at games?” continued the weary catechist.

“I can swim a bit, but I’m not much good at anything else.”

“As he says, he swims a bit,” corroborated Fillet.  “But I don’t know what else he can do.”

“He’s the best swimmer in the school,” snapped Radley, “and will one day be the best bowler.”

“Well, bless me, my man, have you any position or influence with your schoolfellows?”

“I don’t know, sir.”

“Hm!” sneered Fillet, whose temper was gone.  “He has his confederates.”

“Yes,” said Radley, “he has a very loyal following.”

I think it pleased the drowsy Head to see two of his masters boxing over the body of one of his boys.

“Well, well,” he said, “I’m glad, Ray, to hear you give such a good account of yourself.  We are satisfied, I may say, with your prowess in the baths this evening—­you did your best, sir, you did your best—­and we are satisfied with the attitude you have taken up in regard to this nonsensical business outside—­”

“But, sir,” I began, deprecatingly.