At the age of fourteen Grenfell was sent to Marlborough “College,” where he had earned a scholarship.  This was not a college as we speak of a college in America, but a large university preparatory school.

In the beginning he had a fight with an “old boy,” and being victor firmly established his place among his fellow students.  Whether at Mostyn House, or later at Marlborough College, Grenfell learned early to use the gloves.  It was quite natural, devoted as he was to athletics, that he should become a fine boxer.  To this day he loves the sport, and is always ready to put on the gloves for a bout, and it is a mighty good man that can stand up before him.  In most boys’ schools of that day, and doubtless at Marlborough College, boys settled their differences with gloves, and in all probability Grenfell had plenty of practice, for he was never a mollycoddle.  He was perhaps not always the winner, but he was always a true sportsman.  There is a vast difference between a “sportsman” and a “sport.”  Grenfell was a sportsman, never a sport.  His life in the open taught him to accept success modestly or failure smilingly, and all through his life he has been a sportsman of high type.

The three years that Grenfell spent at Marlborough College were active ones.  He not only made good grades in his studies but he took a leading part in all athletics.  Study was easy for him, and this made it possible to devote much time to physical work.  Not only did he become an expert boxer, but he had no difficulty in making the school teams, in football, cricket, and other sports that demanded skill, nerve and physical energy.

Like all youngsters running over with the joy of youth and life, he got into his full share of scrapes.  If there was anything on foot, mischievous or otherwise, Grenfell was on hand, though his mischief and escapades were all innocent pranks or evasion of rules, such as going out of bounds at prohibited hours to secure goodies.  The greater the element of adventure the keener he was for an enterprise.  He was not by any means always caught in his pranks, but when he was he admitted his guilt with heroic candor, and like a hero stood up for his punishment.  Those were the days when the hickory switch in America, and the cane in England, were the chief instruments of torture.

With the end of his course at Marlborough College, Grenfell was confronted with the momentous question of his future and what he was to do in life.  This is a serious question for any young fellow to answer.  It is a question that involves one’s whole life.  Upon the decision rests to a large degree happiness or unhappiness, content or discontent, success or failure.

It impressed him now as a question that demanded his most serious thought.  For the first time there came to him a full realization that some day he would have to earn his way in the world with his own brain and hands.  A vista of the future years with their responsibilities, lay before him as a reality, and he decided that it was up to him to make the most of those years and to make a success of life.  No doubt this realization fell upon him as a shock, as it does upon most lads whose parents have supplied their every need.  Now he was called upon to decide the matter for himself, and his future education was to be guided by his choice.