ll show you the lesson, and let you look over his book. Barker,
let Williams look over you!"

Eric went and sat down at the end of a bench by the boy indicated. He
was a rough-looking fellow with a shock head of black hair, and a very
dogged look. Eric secretly thought that he a very nice-looking specimen
of Roslyn School. However, he sate by him, and glanced at the Caesar
which the boy shoved about a quarter of an inch in his direction. But
Barker didn't seem inclined to make any further advances, and presently
Eric asked in a whisper--

"What's the lesson?"

The boy glanced at him, but took no further notice.

Eric repeated, "I say, what's the lesson?"

Instead of answering, Barker stared at him, and grunted--

"What's your name?"

"Eric--I mean Williams."

"Then why don't you say what you mean?" Eric moved his foot impatiently
at this ungracious reception; but as he seemed to have no redress, he
pulled the Caesar nearer towards him.

"Drop that; 'tisn't yours."

Mr Gordon heard a whisper, and glanced that way. "Silence!" he said,
and Barker pretended to be deep in his work, while Eric, resigning
himself to his fate, looked about him.

He had plenty to occupy his attention in the faces round him. He
furtively examined Mr Gordon, as he bent over his high desk, writing,
but couldn't make out the physiognomy. There had been something
reserved and imperious in the master's manner, yet he thought he should
not dislike him on the whole. With the countenances of his future
school-fellows he was not altogether pleased, but there were one or two
which thoroughly attracted him. One boy, whose side face was turned
towards him as he sat on the bench in front, took his fancy
particularly, so, tired of doing nothing, he plucked up courage, and
leaning forward, whispered, "Do lend me your Caesar for a few minutes."
The boy at once handed it to him with a pleasant smile, and as the
lesson was marked, Eric had time to hurry over a few sentences, when Mr
Gordon's sonorous voice exclaimed--

"Fourth-form, come up!"

Some twenty of the boys went up, and stood in a large semicircle round
the desk. Eric of course was placed last, and the lesson commenced.

"Russell, begin," said the master; and immediately the boy who had
handed Eric his Caesar began reading a few sentences, and construed them
very creditably, only losing a place or two. He had a frank open face,
bright intelligent fearless eyes, and a very t