At the conclusion of the service the head-master proceeded to the
vestry, where the minor canons, choristers, and lay-clerks kept their
surplices. Not the dean and chapter; they robed in the chapter-house:
and the king's scholars put on their surplices in the schoolroom. The
choristers followed Mr. Pye to the vestry, Bywater entering with them.
The boys grouped themselves together: they were expecting--to use their
own expression--a row.
"Bywater, what is the meaning of this conduct?" was the master's stern
demand.
"I had no surplice, sir," was Bywater's answer--a saucy-looking boy
with a red face, who had a propensity for getting into "rows," and,
consequently, into punishment.
"No surplice!" repeated Mr. Pye--for the like excuse had never been
offered by a college boy before. "What do you mean?"
"We were ordered to wear clean surplices this afternoon. I brought mine
to college this morning; I left it here in the vestry, and took the
dirty one home. Well, sir, when I came to put it on this afternoon, it
was gone."
"How could it have gone? Nonsense, sir! Who would touch your surplice?"
"But I could _not_ find it, sir," repeated Bywater. "The choristers
know I couldn't; and they left me hunting for it when they went into
the hall to receive the judges. I could not go into my stall, sir, and
sing the anthem without my surplice."
"Hurst had no business to sing it," was the vexed rejoinder of the
master.
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