But come now--would you, any of you, give a fig for a fellow who didn't believe in and stand up for his own house and his own school?
You know you wouldn't.

Then don't object to me cracking up the old School house, Rugby.

Haven't I a right to do it, when I'm taking all the trouble of writing this true history for all of your benefits?
If you ain't satisfied, go and write the history of your own houses in your own times, and say all you know for your own schools and houses, provided it's true, and I'll read it without abusing you.
The last few words hit the audience in their weakest place.

They had been not altogether enthusiastic at several parts of old Brooke's speech; but "the best house of the best school in England" was too much for them all, and carried even the sporting and drinking interests off their legs into rapturous applause, and (it is to be hoped) resolutions to lead a new life and remember old Brooke's words--which, however, they didn't altogether do, as will appear hereafter.
But it required all old Brooke's popularity to carry down parts of his speech--especially that relating to the Doctor.

For there are no such bigoted holders by established forms and customs, be they never so foolish or meaningless, as English school-boys--at least, as the school-boys of our generation.