CHAPTER VIII.
SOWING THE WIND "Praepediuntur Crura vacillanti, tardescit lingua, madet mens, Nant oculi." LUCR.iii.

417.
Next evening, when preparation began, Pietrie and Graham got everything ready for a carouse in their class-room.

Wildney, relying on the chance of names not being called over (which, was only done in case any one's absence was observed), had absented himself altogether from the boarders' room, and helped busily to spread the table for the banquet.
The cook had roasted for them the fowls and pigeons, and Billy had brought an ample supply of beer and some brandy for the occasion.

A little before eight o'clock everything was ready, and Eric, Attlay, and Llewellyn were summoned to join the rest.
The fowls, pigeons, and beer had soon vanished, and the boys were in the highest spirits.

Eric's reckless gaiety was kindled by Wildney's frolicsome vivacity, and Graham's sparkling wit; they were all six in a roar of perpetual laughter at some fresh sally of fun elicited by the more phlegmatic natures of Attlay or Llewellyn, and the dainties of Wildney's parcel were accompanied by draughts of brandy and water, which were sometimes exchanged for potations of the raw liquor.