“Whatfun！“saidTom，whocouldscarcelycontainhisprideatthisexploitofhisfutureschool-fellows。Helongedalreadyfortheendofthehalf，thathemightjointhem。
“’Taintsuchgoodfun，though，sir，forthefolkasmeetsthecoach，norforwewhohastogobackwithitnextday。ThemIrisherslastsummerhadallgotstonesreadyforus，andwasallbutlettingdrive，andwe’dgottworeverendgentsaboardtoo。Wepulledupatthebeginningoftheline，andpacifiedthem，andwe’renevergoingtocarrynomorepea-shooters，unlesstheypromisesnottofirewherethere’salineofIrishchapsa-stonebreaking。“Theguardstoppedandpulledawayathischeroot，regardingTombenignantlythewhile。
“Oh，don’tstop！Tellussomethingmoreaboutthepea-
shooting。“
“Well，there’dliketohavebeenaprettypieceofworkoveritatBicester，awhileback。Wewassixmilefromthetown，whenwemeetsanoldsquare-headedgray-hairedyeomanchap，a-joggingalongquitequiet。Helooksupatthecoach，andjustthenapeahitshimonthenose，andsomecatcheshiscobbehindandmakeshimdanceuponhishindlegs。Isee’dtheoldboy’sfaceflushandlookplaguyawkward，andIthoughtwewasinforsomethin’nasty。