n each other for
some time lately! I was beginning to fancy that you meant to drop me,
Eric."

He spoke with a smile and in a rallying tone, but Eric hung his head;
for the charge was true. Proud of his popularity among all the school,
and especially at his friendship with so leading a fellow as Upton, Eric
had _not_ seen much of his friend since their last conversation about
swearing. Indeed, conscious of failure, he felt sometimes uneasy in
Russell's company.

He faltered, and answered humbly, "I hope you will never drop _me_,
Edwin, whatever happens to me. But I particularly want to speak to you
to-day."

In an instant Russell had twined his arm in Eric's as they turned
towards Fort Island; and Eric, with an effort, was just going to begin
when they heard Montagu's voice calling after them--

"I say, you fellows, where are you off to? may I come with you?"

"Oh yes, Monty, do," said Russell; "it will be quite like old times; now
that my cousin Horace has got hold of Eric, we have to sing `When shall
we three meet again?'"

Russell only spoke in fun; but, unintentionally, his words jarred in
Eric's heart. He was silent and answered in monosyllables, so the walk
was provokingly dull. At last they reached Fort Island, and sate down
by the ruined chapel looking on the sea.

"Why, what's the row with you, old boy?" said Montagu, playfully shaking
Eric by the shoulder; "you're as silent as Zimmerman on Solitude, and as
doleful as Harvey on the Tombs. I expect you've been going through a
select course of Blair's Grave, Young's Night Thoughts, and Drelincourt
on Death."

To his surprise Eric's head was still bent, and, at last, he heard a
deep suppressed sigh.

"My dear fellow, what is the matter with you?" said Russell,
affectionately taking his hand; "surely you're not offended at my
nonsense?"

Eric had not liked to speak while Montagu was by, but now he gulped down
his rising emotion, and briefly told them of Ball's vile words the night
before. They listened in silence.

"I knew it must come, Eric," said Russell at last, "and I am so sorry
you didn't speak at the time."

"Do the fellows ever talk in that way in either of your dormitories?"
asked Eric.

"No," said Russell.

"Very little," said Montagu.

A pause followed, during which all three plucked the grass and looked
away.

"Let me tell you," said Russell solemnly; "my father (he is dead now,
you know, Eric), when I was sent to school,