f by
nobody except Mr. Merton, who received him with great cordiality, and a
Miss Simmons, who had been brought up by an uncle who endeavoured, by a
hardy and robust education, to prevent in his niece that sickly delicacy
which is considered so great an ornament in fashionable life. Harry and
this young lady became great friends, though to a considerable extent
they were the butt of the others.

A lady who sat by Mrs. Merton, asked her, in a whisper loud enough to be
heard all over the room, whether (indicating Harry) that was the little
ploughboy whom she had heard Mr. Barlow was attempting to bring up like
a gentleman? Mrs. Merton answered "Yes." "Indeed," said the lady, "I
should have thought so by his plebeian look and vulgar air. But I
wonder, my dear madam, that you will suffer your son, who, without
flattery, is one of the most accomplished children I ever saw, with
quite the air of fashion, to keep such company."

Whilst Tommy was being estranged from his friend by a constant
succession of flattery from his elders and the example of others of his
own age, Harry, who never said any of those brilliant things that render
a boy the darling of the ladies, and who had not that vivacity, or
rather impertinence, which frequently passes for wit with superficial
people, paid the greatest attention to what was said to him, and made
the most judicious observations upon subjects he understood. For this
reason, Miss Simmons, although much older and better informed, received
great satisfaction from conversing with him, and thought him infinitely
more agreeable and sensible than any of the smart young gentlemen she
had hitherto seen.

One morning the young gentlemen agreed to take a walk in the country.
Harry went with them. As they walked across a common they saw a great
number of people moving forward towards a bull-baiting. Instantly they
were seized with a desire to see the diversion. One obstacle alone
presented itself. Their parents, particularly Mrs. Merton, had made them
promise to avoid every kind of danger. However, all except Harry, agreed
to go, insisting among themselves that there was no danger.

"Master Harry," said one, "has not said a word. Surely he will not tell
of us."

Harry said he did not wish to tell; but if, he added, he were asked, he
would have to tell the truth.

A quarrel followed, in which Tommy struck his friend in the face with
his fist. This, added to Tommy's recent conduct towards him, c