r
life, and if Crawley had a week's practice he would beat your head off
at it; come, then, I'll bet you what you like."

"That is impossible to prove."

"No matter, it does not need proof; every fellow with eyes in his head
must see it. But that's nothing. If you were ever so much better it
would be just as mean to brag about it."

Crawley had no idea that Gould bore him any grudge, and being grateful
to him for his invitation, sought to give him those opportunities of
intimacy which he had evidently coveted before. But it was Gould now
who drew back, somewhat to the other's relief, for he could not bring
himself to care much about him.

Well, all this foolish talk of Gould's did have a certain effect: a good
many boys lost some faith in their idol, and began to suspect that its
feet might be of clay. And then Crawley took to reading very hard that
term, for his time for trying to get into Woolwich was approaching, and
he was very anxious not to fail; and this made him less sociable, which
affected his popularity. It did not interfere with his sports; he was
as energetic at football as ever, and took his usual pains to make the
boys pay up their subscriptions, for he was secretary and treasurer.
But that was not exactly a genial duty, though everybody was glad that
somebody else would take the trouble. And for the rest, he was now
always working hard or playing hard.

"Hulloa, Edwards!" he said one day about the middle of term, "you have
been very lazy about your football lately; you promised to be good at
it, you know. It's a pity to give it up."

"But I have not," said Edwards. "I am going in for it again now." And
he meant it; for the last penny of the loan had vanished, and he felt
the need of excitement and action of some kind.

"That's right, old fellow," said Crawley. "Of course you play for your
house against ours in the match."

"I believe so."

"Come and have a game this afternoon," said Crawley, turning back after
they had parted; for the pallid and careworn face of the other struck
him, and he thought very likely a little exercise and bustle was just
what he wanted, but that he felt listless, as one does sometimes, when
one is glad afterwards if some one else will save us the trouble of
making up our minds, and start us.

"No, thanks," replied Edwards, "I can't come to-day, I have something
else I must do. But I shall practise regularly after to-day." And he
went on his way to meet