give them a week or two before you swear
eternal friendship with any of them."

Dick thought this rather strange advice, and got out of it by saying--

"Oh, I shall have Georgie Heathcote, you know. I shan't much care about
the other fellows."

"Don't be too sure. And, remember this, my boy, be specially on your
guard with any of them that flatter you. They'll soon find out your
weak point and that's where they'll have you."

Dick certainly considered this a little strong even for a parent. But
somehow the advice stuck, for all that, and he remembered it afterwards.

"As to other matters," said the father, "your mother, I know, has spoken
for us both. Be honest to everybody, most of all yourself, and remember
a boy can fear God without being a prig-- Ah, here's the train."

It was a dismal farewell, that between father and son, when the moment
of parting really came. Neither of them had expected it would be so
hard, and when at last the whistle blew, and their hands parted, both
were thankful the train slipped swiftly from the station and turned a
corner at once.

After the bustle and excitement of the last few days, Dick found the
loneliness of the empty carriage decidedly unpleasant, and for a short
time after leaving town, was nearer moping than he had ever been before.

It would be an hour before the train reached X---, where Heathcote would
get in. It would be all right then, but meanwhile he wished he had
something to do.

So he fell to devouring the provisions his mother and sisters had put up
for his special benefit, and felt in decidedly better heart when the
meal was done.

Then he hauled down his hat-box, and tried on his new "pot," and felt
still more soothed.

Then he extricated his new dressing-case from his travelling-bag, and
examined, with increasing comfort, each several weapon it contained,
until the discovery of a razor in an unsuspected corner completed his
good cheer, and he began to whistle.

In the midst of this occupation the train pulled up, and Heathcote, with
_his_ hat-box and bag invaded the carriage.

"Hallo, old man," said Dick with a nod, "you've turned up, then? Look
here, isn't this a stunning turnout? Don't go sitting down on my razor,
I say."

"Excuse me a second," said Heathcote, putting down his traps and turning
to the window, "grandma's here, and I've got to say good-bye."

"Good-bye, grandma," added the dutiful youth, holding out his hand to a
venerab