Jack of Both Sides | Page 4

nine out of ten young men would have
acted in the same circumstances.
"Look here, boys," he said, running after the nearest group. "Can I trust
you to go on quietly to the baths by yourselves? I shall follow you very
shortly. You can all have your dip, and dress, and by that time I shall be
with you. You won't get into mischief, and play pranks, will you?
Promise!"
The four boys he addressed promised readily.
"Right! Green, you're one of the seniors; I put you in charge. See that
all goes on just as if I were there. No one stay in the water more than
twelve minutes."
"Very well, sir!"
And Mr. Anderson departed with light heart and clear conscience.
It was only a couple of days since the term began, and the very chilling
reception accorded to the day-scholars had made friendly advances
between the two factions next to impossible. A distant toleration was
just now the recognized attitude.
But there were two people who were "not playing the game". One was
Jack Brady, who persisted in walking first with one party and then the
other, and refused point-blank to be distant towards anyone. The other
was the youngest scholar of Brincliffe, one Hugill Trevelyan,
commonly known as "Toppin". He was only seven, and did not
understand the meaning of a civil war. Toppin had been sent to school

with his elder brother Escombe because his parents were abroad.
The March Hare (Massimiliano Graglia, to give him once for all his
right name), who was two years Toppin's senior, and therefore better
able to quarrel to order without knowing the reason why, had a great
affection for him, and, when possible, would take charge of him.
Toppin being a very independent young man, however, this was not
often possible. More frequently he would patronize the March Hare,
and explain to him English words or ways that were puzzling.
It chanced that this afternoon three day-boys, Bacon, Armitage, and
Simmons, were in advance of the rest of the school, who were
sauntering behind in clusters of threes and fours. Hughes was not with
Simmons, being forbidden by his doctor to indulge in swimming at
present. Bacon looked back just as Mr. Anderson was turning in the
opposite direction with his friends.
"Hullo, what sport!" he exclaimed. "Andy's given us the slip!"
"Be joyful! Let's race for the best boxes!" said Armitage. "We shall be
in the water long before the other slow-coaches have reached the baths.
One, two, three--off!"
Now Toppin was one of the group behind, and being naturally fleet of
foot, a race was a thing he could not resist. So he took to his heels and
pursued them.
Jack Brady and the March Hare were walking with Toppin, and if it
had been practicable, the Hare would have accompanied him in the race,
but if there was one thing of which the March Hare was incapable, it
was running. Jack, who had found this out, checked him from making
the attempt.
"Let Toppin go, Harey, and you stay with me," he said. There was a
look of satisfaction on his face. It was fine to see even the smallest
boarder chevying three day-boys!
Toppin ran his fastest, and panted into the baths only a yard behind

Simmons.
"Why, if here isn't the kid! What the dickens has brought you after us,
young un?"
"I saw you--racing," panted Toppin, "and I wanted to see--if I
couldn't--catch you. And I did!"
His thick red hair was tumbled by the wind, and the odd little tuft
which had won him his nickname stuck up very prominently. The small
pink face was aglow with triumph, as he stood gasping for breath, and
looking up at the three older boys, his hands planted in his pockets and
his feet apart.
"You're a boarder," said Armitage, with a touch of contempt.
"I should think I am! Rather!" was Toppin's proud reply.
"Well, you'd better trot back to your friends, and bathe with them.
We're not going to wait for anyone."
"Nor aren't I," said Toppin carelessly.
"Come on!" shouted Simmons from a box. "Don't waste time!"
Preparation for a bath is not a long process with a boy. Garments were
dragged off and tossed about, and in a minute they were ready, and
dancing round the edge of the clear green water.
Avoiding the steps as a matter of course, Toppin was swinging his arms
preparatory to jumping into the shallow end, when, seeing Simmons
skipping along the plank that led to the diving-board, in the part where
the water was marked "5 ft.", he paused to watch. Simmons raised his
hands above his head, curved his body, and dived.
"Oo!" cried Toppin admiringly.
Presently a head appeared, rolling round and blowing.