case of bullying in question,
and then gave the bully a "good sound thrashing;" and that years
afterwards, that boy sought out Holmes, and thanked him, saying it
had been the kindest act which had ever been done upon him, and the
turning-point in his character; and a very good fellow he became, and a
credit to his School.

After some other talk between them, the Doctor said, "I want to speak
to you about two boys in your form, East and Brown. I have just been
speaking to them. What do you think of them?"

"Well, they are not hard workers, and very thoughtless and full of
spirits; but I can't help liking them. I think they are sound, good
fellows at the bottom."

"I'm glad of it. I think so too: But they make me very uneasy. They are
taking the lead a good deal amongst the fags in my house, for they are
very active, bold fellows. I should be sorry to lose them, but I shan't
let them stay if I don't see them gaining character and manliness. In
another year they may do great harm to all the younger boys."

"Oh, I hope you won't send them away," pleaded their master.

"Not if I can help it. But now I never feel sure, after any
half-holiday, that I shan't have to flog one of them next morning, for
some foolish, thoughtless scrape. I quite dread seeing either of them."

They were both silent for a minute. Presently the Doctor began again:--

"They don't feel that they have any duty or work to do in the school,
and how is one to make them feel it?"

"I think if either of them had some little boy to take care of, it would
steady them. Brown is the most reckless of the two, I should say. East
wouldn't get into so many scrapes without him."

"Well," said the Doctor, with something like a sigh, "I'll think of it."
And they went on to talk of other subjects.

PART II.

"I [hold] it truth, with him who sings,
To one clear harp in divers tones,
That men may rise on stepping-stones
Of their dead selves to higher things."
--TENNYSON.

CHAPTER I--HOW THE TIDE TURNED.

"Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side.
. . . .
Then it is the brave man chooses, while the coward stands aside,
Doubting in his abject spirit, till his Lord is crucified."
--LOWELL.

The turning-point in our hero's school career had now come, and the
manner of it was as follows. On the evening of the fir