Jack of Both Sides | Page 4

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. Simmons was swimming towards Toppin. Bacon was now preparing to take a header.
"I say, Lucy, you're not a tall chap. No more aren't I. Why can't I swim and dive?"
"It isn't size that's needed, it's talent," observed Simmons, treading water, as he winked at the little fellow.
"Rot!" said Toppin decidedly. There was a loud splash. Bacon had vanished.
"Up he comes again!" cried Toppin, clapping his hands in an ecstasy. "Oh, I'm going to dive to-day. You can see how easy it is. Let me have a shot before the others come, case I fail."
"Better wait a year or two, Top," said Simmons, deliberately turning a somersault.
"I'm bovvered if I do!" cried Toppin, scampering round to the diving-board. He