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If the boys' story was correct, there certainly might be some force in their excuse. It would hardly be fair to punish them if they were decoyed out of their way by some seniors. And then, of course, this story about Mr Parrett; they would never make up a story like that.
W. tower appears to have been restored merely, but the nave and aisles were rebuilt in 1869. The window tracery is good, and the clustered columns with angel capitals on the S. are noteworthy. Chiselborough, a parish near the Parrett, 4-1/2 m. N.N.E. of Crewkerne. Its church has a central tower and spire, built over unusually low E.E. arches, with a groined vault.
Mr Parrett and the boys choked and made a dash for the door, but the enemy were hanging on to the handle in full force, and it was at least two minutes before the almost suffocated Parson could gasp, "Open the door! do you hear? Mr Parrett's here; let him out." "Won't wash, my boy!" cried a mocking voice "won't wash! Wait a bit, we've got another bottle for you when you're quite ready!"
But even his own success was less than that of the club generally. Every member of that small fraternity was intent on the glory of the club, and worked hammer and tongs to secure it. Mr Parrett, kindly jack-of-all-trades as he was, was easily persuaded by Riddell to come down occasionally and bowl them a few balls, and give them a few hints as to style generally.
Amidst all this tumult the unlucky boat slowly backed into mid-stream, and turned towards home, Parson steering no longer by rudder but by word of mouth. As it did so, a distant report announced that the schoolhouse boat had reached the winning-post; whereat the Parrett partisans set up a loud defiant shout, which they maintained during the entire homeward progress of their ill-starred boat.
Indeed, it impressed him so much that, at the imminent risk of being late for the doctor's tea, he pulled up to speak to them. Parson, as became a loyal Parrett, made as though he would pass on, but Telson held him back. "I say, you two," said Riddell, "will you come to breakfast with me to- morrow morning after chapel?"
It is changed now, being thoroughly drained, but in the days of the Saxons the river Parrett was the frontier of Wessex, and one of its districts sheltered Alfred from the first onset of the Danish invasion when he retreated to the fastnesses of the Isle of Athelney. In the epoch of the Normans and in the Civil War there was fighting all along the Parrett.
But I tell you what I'll do. I'll see him and Parrett and tell them about the club, and undertake that you'll be steady the rest of the term if they'll let you off. Do you think I'd be safe in saying so?" "Rather! I'll promise, for one," cried Cusack. "And I'll try," said Pilbury. "So will we," said the others. So it was settled.
When, therefore, the group of youthful culprits slowly filed into his room, his voice was stern and his countenance betrayed no symptoms of the amusement which lurked beneath. "Now, you boys," said he, surveying the anxious array carefully, "what have you to say for yourselves?" "Please, sir," began Parson, Telson, and Cusack, all at a breath. "Stop," said Mr Parrett; "only one at a time.
They ran us up on purpose to make us late. You ask them. It was a beastly low trick!" "And then coming back," continued Telson, "we ran down old Parrett in his skiff and spilt him, and we had to fish him out didn't we, you chaps? and that made us late. You ask Parrett; he's potted us for it, last night." Riddell listened to all this in a bewildered way, not knowing what to make of it.
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