Follow My Leader | Page 8

riot which went on on her back, and once or twice rattling the bones of
her riders by a mild attempt at a trot, but otherwise showing no signs of
renewing her former more energetic protest.
In this manner, after a weary and not altogether refreshing journey, the
three jaded, tightly-packed heroes came to a standstill at the door of

Mountjoy House, where, one after the other, they slid sadly from their
perches, and addressed themselves to the satisfying of Mrs Ashford's
natural curiosity, only hoping the interview would not be protracted,
and so defer for long the supper to which they all eagerly looked
forward.
"Why, what's all this?" said the matron.
"Where's the waggonette, and Tom?" chimed in Mr Ashford, appearing
at the same moment.
"Please, sir," said Dick, "we didn't wait for Tom, and drove home, and
there was a little accident. I was driving at the time, sir. We got spilt,
and the trap was a little damaged. We left word for Tom to see to it,
and I'll write and get my father to pay for mending it. We're all awfully
sorry, sir. Dr Winter sends his regards, and we shall hear the result of
the exam. on Thursday. One of the wheels came off, but I fancy it will
go on again. It was a rut did it. We were coming along at a very good
pace, and should have been here an hour ago if it hadn't been for the
accident. We're sorry to be late, sir."
After which ample explanation and apology the boys felt themselves
decidedly aggrieved that they were not at once ushered in to supper. Mr
Ashford, however, being a mortal of only limited perception, required a
good deal more information; and a painful and somewhat petulant
cross-examination ensued, the result of which was that our heroes were
informed they were not to be trusted, that both Mr and Mrs Ashford
were disappointed in them, that they ought to be ashamed of
themselves, and that they would hear more about the matter to-morrow.
And what about the supper?--that glorious spread of coffee and hot
toast, and eggs and bacon, the anticipation of which had borne them up
in all the perils and fatigue of the day, and had shone like a beacon star
to guide them home? The subject was ignored, basely ignored; and the
culprits were ordered to join the ordinary school supper and appease
their hunger on bread and cheese and cold boiled beef, and slake their
thirst on "swipes."

Then did the spirits of Richardson, Heathcote and Coote wax fierce
within them. Then did they call Mr Ashford a cad, and Mrs Ashford a
sneak. Then did they kick all the little boys within reach, and scowl
furiously upon the big ones. Then did they wish the mare was dead and
Templeton a ruin!
As, when Jove frowns and Mercury and Vulcan scowl, the hills hide
their heads and the valleys tremble beneath the storm, so did the youth
of Mountjoy quake and cower that evening as it raised its eyes and
beheld those three gloomy heroes devour their beef and drink their
swipes. No one ventured to ask how they had fared, or wherefore they
looked sad; but they knew something had happened. The little boys
gazed with awe- struck wonder at the heroes who had that day been at
Templeton, and contended for Templeton honours. The elder boys
wondered if gloom was part of Templeton "form," and when their turn
would come to look as black and majestic; and all marvelled at the
supper those three ate, and at the chasm they left in the cold boiled
beef!
"Come on, you fellows," said Richardson, as soon as the meal was
finished. "I'm going to bed; I'm fagged."
"So am I," said Heathcote.
"So am I," said Coote.
And the triumvirate stalked from the room, leaving Mountjoy more
than ever convinced something terrific had happened.
If Coote had had his way, he would rather have stayed up. He slept in a
different room from Richardson and Heathcote, and it was rather slow
going to bed by himself at half-past seven. But as it was evident from
Dick's manner that this was the proper course to take under the
circumstances, he took it, and was very soon dreaming that he and
Edward the Fifth's father were trotting round the Templeton quadrangle
on the mare, much to the admiration of the Templeton boys, who
assembled in their thousands to witness the exploit.

Next day the uncomfortable topic of the mare and the waggonette was
renewed in a long conference with Mr Ashford.
As supper was no longer pending, and as a night's rest had intervened,
the boys were rather more disposed to enter into details. But they failed
to satisfy