The record-union., 1899-06-18


"satisfecit.'' which signifies that the
culpr9t's work for the day has been adj
equate. On the first evening on which
this is not forthcoming the execution
occurs.
Bunny was much incensed. He had
no more fear of a Gaming than the av-
erage healthy school boy, provided it
was soon over and done with, but he
objected strongly to having it hanging
over his head That is. of course. the
beauty of the Institution OF satisfecit
from the disciplinary point of view.
Il wouldn't stand 1T if I were you,"
Ellis minor observed sympathetically
st won't" Bunny said, with indigna-
ton. "I'H forbid Maude-I mean my
sister-to speak to him.
II wouldn't do that, Bunny" said
the Machiavellian Ellis minor "lt's no
good telling girl not to do a thing.
You go and lay it on thick about how
much wanging hurts and all that, and
what beastly cheek it is for him to get
you caned. If that doesn't fetch her,
you just threaten to bring yo,lr guv nor
into it somehow, and that'll make her
sit up. Girls do hate their guv'nors
getting muddled up in things like this,
and your guv'nor seems to be waxy
enough for anything"
After some discussion they mapped
out plan Of campaign, and that after
noon Bunny presented himself at the
head masters house for tea He had
been accorded a standing invitation
there, am invitation Of which it is
needless to say he never took advant-
age. Special invitations were bad
enough. After while the head mas
ter's wife tactfully left Bunny and his
sister alone. She feared that fourth
form boy who bearded tea at the house
unnecessarily must be in some serious
trouble
Maude," he observed when she had
departed, I've come to speak to you.'
If you didn't try to eat mullins and
strawberries at the same time, you
might do it more easily" his sister re-
piled unfeeaingly.
Don't rot Maude," Bunny said: ''it's
rather serious
Would five shillings be enough?" she
inquired.
ITS not money! he said impressive
ly; Il shall probably be caned.''
The wretched boy at a hearty meal"
his sister replied without any proper
display of emotion. What have you
been doing this time, Lionel?"
I'm on satisfecit,' he explained trag-
ically.
What a horrible crime!" she laugh
ed. What in the world is it?"
1T is that brute Jimmy" her BROTH
er burst out.
"Oh!" she said softly. If Ellis minor
had been there, he would have noticed
the blush. Tell me about it,
Bunny told her about it, and about
the nature Of satisfecit, and the pangs
Of Gaming, and the enormities of Jim
my. 1t was a lengthy narrative, with
artistic touches derived from Ellis min
or, and Miss Urquhart listened with ap-
parent interest There was, however,
a twinkle in her eyes which annoyed
Bunny.
And now" he concluded, hes tor
turing me-slowly torturing me be-
cause I'm not clever"
"Bosh!" his sister said. You're go
ing to be caned because you're idle
DO you mean to say you don't pity
me?" Bunny asked.
Mot in the least she said placidly.
II suppose you thoroughly deserve it,"
''Very WE'LL" Bunny said decisively.
I'll write to the guv'nor about it and
see what he says"
The twinkle disappeared from Miss
Urquhart's eyes q
Lionel" she said with sudden appre-
hension, ''if you do that, I'll never for
give you"
why shouldn't II" he inquired stol-
idly. He'll be down next day and
make it jolly hot for Jimmy
Mr.. Urquhart senior would certainly
!, r6,d he cin a
able one for visit to Wellborough. He
had theoretical horror of corporal
punishment and passion for interfer-
ing with his sons school career. To
Bunny's credit be it said that he had
never hitherto appealed for parental in
tervention, nor at that moment had he
any real intention of doing so, but the
advice of Ellis minor was persuasively
ingenious. The latter had, as one Of
the masters said, "a bright but criminal
future before him."
"You don't want father to make an
other row, do you?" Maude inquired
desperately.
Don't II" Bunny rejoined calmly; II
want him to make such row as two
masters and boy of our day cannot
carry. It'll just about pip Old Jimmy
Miss Urquhart looked deeply dis
tressed. Mr. Urquhart's prejudices
when once aroused were difficult to
overcome, and it was unlikely, if Bunny
carried out his threat, that Mr.. Baker
would ever be accepted with equanimity
as son-in-law. Besides, the inter-
vention of a vindictive parent at this
juncture might diminish the luster Of
Mr.. Bakers testimonials and references
Please don't, Lionel-to please me-"
his sister said.
"Ohs" Bunny replied, surveying her
with disdain, II see what it is. You're
mashed on that cad of man.
"Lionel!'' she burst out reprovingly.
"Oh, / don't mind he rejoined loft
lily. Please yourself, don't very much
object. In fact, it's rather good
thing. You can choke him off now"
What do you mean. you Wretched
boy?" she asked.
write him a note and tell him not
to- Oh, my tin hat! Won't he look
bilious?"
II WON'T" she answered Indignantly.
''Very WE'LL" the graceless youth
said. IT'S that or the guv'nor.'
Miss Urquhart pondered hesdtatingly
for a moment or two, while Bunny eyed
her triumphantly, with the air of a
successful blackmailer.
Then she did what was the most fool
ish thing possible under the circum-
stances; she gave Bunny a full account
of her engagement, and of the difficult
ties he might create if he brought their
father on the scene That" as Bunny
subsequently explained to Ellis minor,
49,. u -1.C 1oft a