When we Old Fogeys were Boys, 199 



eye at a keyhole again, waiting for the head master, and 

 you were in school for two hours and a half — possibly with 

 a little bye-fagging, such as going round to borrow a book, 

 or, in summer, you would be made to " shiik out " to go 

 long-stop to some fellows who were having an unlawful 

 game of cricket. In the summer you fagged at cricket 

 from 12 till 2 (and on holidays all day, more or less), and 

 in the winter you would be fagging at football, kicking in 

 the ball. At 2 o'clock you would air your eye at a key- 

 hole for the third time to watch for a master, and then 

 there were four hours of school before you, out of which 

 you would be up with your class twice ; and in these four 

 hours a junior had time to learn something, especially if he 

 had a good boy-tutor. At six o'clock you would be carrying 

 things into chambers for prefects; be fagging all dinner- 

 time from 6 o'clock till 6.30; get something to eat how and 

 when you could,^and be in chambers at 6.30 to put on the 

 faggot — for we had blazing fires ; light the candles, sweep 

 up the chamber, put things in order, and do everything 

 that you vvere told till 7. Then would ensue a blessed 

 interval of rest and quiet till 8.30, whilst the boys did their 

 work for next day, unless you were in some bullying 

 chambers, where fellows played cards, in Avhich case you 

 had to watch for a master ; then chapel ; then bed. I 

 remember that card-playing and drinking had not many 

 followers, and prefects who did it were not in the best set. 

 Your chamber was like a little parish of its own, with two 

 or three prefects in it, as the case might be, and if you had 

 a kind fellow for head prefect, it was a very happy home, 

 provided you were good-tempered and willing ; and many 

 kindnesses were shown, the memories of which are pleasant 

 to record. In a boy's second year a junior's position was 

 materially improved, as he would have a lot of boys under 

 him, and he would be promoted to fielding out at cricket. 



