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Updated: June 22, 2025
A conversation which he had with Neville-Smith, a day-boy, is typical of the way in which he forced his point of view on the school. Neville-Smith was thoroughly representative of the average Wrykynian. He could play his part in any minor "rag" which interested him, and probably considered himself, on the whole, a daring sort of person. But at heart he had an enormous respect for authority.
And I came back in a carriage with Neville-Smith and Ellerby, and they ragged the whole time. I wanted to go to sleep, only they wouldn't let me. Old Smith was awfully bucked because he'd taken four wickets. I should think he'd go off his nut if he took eight ever. He was singing comic songs when he wasn't trying to put Ellerby under the seat. How's your wrist?" "Oh, better, thanks."
"If they understood they wouldn't be alone." Another pause. "Shall I ask some of them?" said Neville-Smith. "Do." "I could get quite a lot, I believe." "That would be a start, wouldn't it? I could get a couple of dozen from Wain's. We should be forty or fifty strong to start with." "I say, what a score, wouldn't it be?" "Yes." "I'll speak to the chaps to-night, and let you know."
Neville-Smith was not a great bowler, but he was steady, and he had done well in the earlier matches. He had fairly earned his place. But the choice between Bob and Mike had kept him awake into the small hours two nights in succession. Finally he had consulted Mr. Spence, and Mr. Spence had voted for Mike. Burgess was glad the thing was settled.
Before he came to Wyatt, he would not have dreamed of proceeding beyond words in his revolt. Wyatt acted on him like some drug. Neville-Smith came upon Wyatt on his way to the nets. The notice concerning the holiday had only been given out that morning, and he was full of it. He expressed his opinion of the headmaster freely and in well-chosen words.
Adair, to begin with, was a very good bowler indeed. He was not a Burgess, but Burgess was the only Wrykyn bowler whom, in his three years' experience of the school, Mike would have placed above him. He was a long way better than Neville-Smith, and Wyatt, and Milton, and the others who had taken wickets for Wrykyn. The batting was not so good, but there were some quite capable men.
Adair, to begin with, was a very good bowler indeed. He was not a Burgess, but Burgess was the only Wrykyn bowler whom, in his three years' experience of the school, Mike would have placed above him. He was a long way better than Neville-Smith, and Wyatt, and Milton, and the others who had taken wickets for Wrykyn. The batting was not so good, but there were some quite capable men.
"Why don't you take the holiday?" "What? Not turn up on Friday!" "Yes. I'm not going to." Neville-Smith stopped and stared. Wyatt was unmoved. "You're what?" "I simply sha'n't go to school." "You're rotting." "All right." "No, but, I say, ragging barred. Are you just going to cut off, though the holiday's been stopped?" "That's the idea." "You'll get sacked." "I suppose so.
It seemed plain to them that the headmaster, baffled by the magnitude of the thing, had resolved to pursue the safe course of ignoring it altogether. To lie low is always a shrewd piece of tactics, and there seemed no reason why the Head should not have decided on it in the present instance. Neville-Smith was among these premature rejoicers.
There was, however, one exception to the general rule, one member of the school who did not treat the episode as if it were merely an interesting and impersonal item of sensational news. Neville-Smith heard of what had happened towards the end of the interval, and rushed off instantly in search of Mike.
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