hich if brought to
light should throw on him (Railsford) the terrible duty of nipping in
the bud the school career of Daisy's own brother? It seemed the only
solution to Felgate's mysterious threat, and it made him profoundly
uncomfortable.

He felt he had not done all the might for the boy. He had been so
scrupulously careful not to give any pretext for a charge of
favouritism, that he had even neglected him at times. Now and then he
had had a chat; but Arthur had such a painful way of getting into
awkward topics that such conferences were usually short and formal. He
had occasionally given an oversight to the boy's work; but Arthur so
greatly preferred to "mug," as he called it, in his own study, that
opportunities for serious private coaching had been quite rare.

Recently, too, a difference had sprung up between Arthur and Marky about
the Smileys; and Railsford felt that he had not done all he might to
smooth over that bitter memory and recover the loyalty and affection of
the bereaved dog-fancier. It may have been some or all of these notions
which prompted the master to invite his young kinsman to accompany him
on the following day--being the mid-term holiday--on an expedition into
the country.

The occasion had been chosen by the Grandcourt Naturalists' Field Club
for their yearly picnic. This club was a very select, and, by repute,
dry institution, consisting partly of scientific boys and partly of
masters. Its supposed object was to explore the surrounding country for
geological, botanical, and historical specimens, which were, when found,
deposited in a museum which nobody in the school on any pretext ever
visited.

Every member had the privilege of introducing a friend, but no one took
advantage of the invitation, except once a year, on the occasion of the
annual picnic, when there was always a great rush, and a severe
competition to be numbered among the happy participants of the club's
hospitality.

It was long since Arthur had given up all idea of joining these happy
parties. Great therefore was his astonishment and delight when on the
evening before the term holiday Railsford put his head into the study
and said--

"Arthur, would you like to come to-morrow to the Field Club picnic at
Wellham Abbey?"

"Rather," said Arthur.

"Very well; be ready at ten. I've ordered a tandem tricycle."

Arthur was in ecstasy. If there was one kind of spree he liked it was a
picnic at an abbey; and if