as `stiff and stuck-up a fellow' as you dreaded, and I
trust I shall find you as honest and brave a fellow as I hoped you would
turn out the first time I saw you. Good-bye."

Charlie rose to leave with overflowing heart. He even forgot in the
midst of his pleasant emotion to inquire, as he had fully intended to
do, after the doctor's watch, and if it was still a quarter of an hour
fast.

As he left the room he could not help contrasting with thankfulness his
present state of mind with that in which he had entered it an hour ago.
He laughed at himself for all his foolish fears then, and as for the
future, that seemed now ever so much easier and brighter.

Outside the door he found Tom Drift passing along the corridor in a
state of great excitement.

"The very chap, I declare," cried he. "I say, lend us your watch, young
un, will you?"

"What for?" asked Charlie.

"Only a time race. Tom Shadbolt says he can run a mile in 4.40. I say
he can't do it under 4.50, and we've got a bet of half-a-crown a side
upon it. So lend us your watch to time him by."

Charlie hesitated, and a pang passed through his breast. He knew that
one of the things which he had promised his father was that he would
have nothing to do with betting or gambling in any form, and how could
he obey in this respect if he now lent me for the purpose for which I
was required? And yet he owed Tom Drift no common gratitude for the
good service he had done in setting me right yesterday, and surely if
any one had a right to borrow me it was he. The struggle was a sore
one, but soon decided.

"I can't lend it you, Tom Drift."

"Why ever not?" asked Tom sharply.

"I'm very sorry; if it had been anything else--but I promised father I
would not gamble."

"Young ass! who wants you to gamble? I only want you to lend us your
watch."

"_You_ are gambling, though," said Charlie timidly.

"And what's that got to do with you, you young idiot," exclaimed Drift,
fairly losing his temper, "if I am?"

"I'm very sorry," said Charlie, "especially as you put it all right. If
it was anything else; but I can't for this."

"Look here," said Drift in a fury, "we've had fooling enough. Hand me
the watch this moment, or I'll take it and smash it, and you into the
bargain!"

"Oh, Tom Drift, don't do that. I would so gladly for anything else, but
I promised father--"

"Once more, will you, or will you not?"

"I can't."

"Then take that!" and next mo