CHAPTER III.
"THE JOLLY HERRING" "Velut unda supervenit undam."-- VIRGIL.
The Anti-muffs request the honor of Williams' company to a spread they are going to have to-morrow evening at half-past four, in their smoking-room-- A note to this effect was put into Eric's hands by Wildney after prayers.

He read it when he got into his study, and hardly knew whether to be pleased or disgusted at it.
He tossed it to Duncan, and said, "What shall I do ?" Duncan turned up his nose, and chucked the note into the fire.
"I'd give them that answer, and no other." "Why ?" "Because, Eric," said Duncan, with more seriousness than was usual with him, "I can't help thinking things have gone too far lately." "How do you mean ?" "Well, I'm no saint myself, Heaven knows; but I do think that the fellows are worse now than I have ever known them--far worse.

Your friend Brigson reigns supreme out of the studies; he has laid down a law that _no work_ is to be done down stairs ever under any pretence, and it's only by getting into one of the studies that good little chaps like Wright can get on at all.

Even in the class-rooms there's so much row and confusion that the mere thought of work is ridiculous." "Well, there's no great harm in a little noise, if that's all." "But it isn't all.

The talk of nearly the whole school is getting most blackguardly; shamelessly so.