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Updated: June 10, 2025
Smedley and Clipstone tied 5 4½ last week for the School. No end of a jump to beat; and Dig and I were in a blue funk about our men. Barnworth and Wake were the only two entered; dark horses both; at least I didn't know what either of them could do. I heard Ainger tell Violet he thought we'd pull it off, so I perked up. They started at 4 foot 10.
But the third time he got over finely with a good inch to spare. It got precious ticklish after this; and no one said a word till each Jump was done: and then we let out. Violet stood up and looked as if she'd got a ten-pound note on the event. At 5 foot 3 Barnworth came a cropper; and I fancy he must have screwed his foot. Anyhow, he had to sit a minute before he tried again.
"Now," said he, beginning on a new tack, "I am anxious to hear from you something about the state of the house. You're my police, you know," he added with a friendly smile. Stafford was the only one who smiled in response, and then ensued a dead silence. "What do you think, Ainger? Do things seem pretty right?" "Yes," said Ainger laconically. "Have you noticed anything, Barnworth?"
"It's good as far as it goes," said Barnworth. "But it doesn't clear up the question how Railsford got to hear of it, and what his motive has been in shielding the criminals. It can't have been on Munger's account, for the two have been at war all the term; and I don't suppose since the affair he has exchanged two words with either Branscombe or Clipstone."
I once jumped that, but that was in the days of my youth." "Fiddlesticks! If you don't clear 5 feet 5, you deserve to be sent home to a daily governess," said Ainger, laughing. "And, by the way, I hear Wake has been jumping finely lately. Mind he doesn't do it for you." "Wake had better mind his own business," responded Barnworth.
The four prefects, to whom the reader has been already introduced, divided among them the merits and shortcomings of their juniors. Ainger and Felgate, though antagonistic by nature, were agreed as to an aggressive foreign policy; while Barnworth and of course the amiable Stafford considered there was quite enough work to do at home without going afield.
Railsford looked inquiringly at his prefects. "What is that?" he said. "Some one in the room above, sir," replied Barnworth. "It was Sykes' study last term," added he, consulting Ainger. "Who's got it this time?" "Nobody said anything to me about it," said the house-captain. "The room above this is occupied by Herapath and Oakshott," interposed Railsford. The captain made an exclamation.
"Thank you," said Mark, and could have eaten the word and his tongue into the bargain the moment he had spoken. This was blunder number three, and the worst yet! For so anxious was he to clear himself of the reproach of abasing himself before his head boys, that his next inquiries were made brusquely and snappishly. "And Barnworth?" "I am, sir." "And Stafford?" "I am, sir." "And Felgate?"
Mercury, in private, turned this little sally over in his mind, and came to the conclusion that Mr Barnworth was not yet a finished pupil in manners. Meanwhile the four letters were being opened and perused critically. "`Dear Ainger' one would think he'd known me all my life!" said Ainger. "`I shall be so glad if you will look in at my rooms," read Barnworth.
He's got the longest legs in Grandcourt, and used to have the best wind." "Gone stale," said Ainger, "and growing too fast. Why, he must be as tall as Railsford already; and he's good for an inch or so more." "Poor beggar! But what about the high jump?" "High jump? Smedley and Clipstone a tie, 5 feet 4½." "Thank you," said Barnworth. "I may as well scratch at once.
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