come, come," cried Emson, leaning over to clap him on the shoulder;
"I didn't mean to upset you like that."

"But I'm glad you have," cried Dyke in half-suffocated tones. "I know
well enough I have been a beast to you, Joe, and the more quiet and
patient you've been with me, the worse I've got, till I quite hate
myself."

"Oh no, not so bad as that."

"Yes," cried Dyke excitedly, "it's been worse; and all the while you've
been the dear, good old chap to me; just the same as it always was when
I was little, and grew tired and cross when we were out, and you took me
up on your back and carried me miles and miles home."

"Why, of course I did," said Emson, smiling.

"There's no of course in it. I was always petty and disagreeable, and
ready to impose on your good-nature; but you never had an unkind word
for me."

"Well, you were such a little one, and I was always so big."

"I can see it all, Joe, and it's made me miserable many a time; but the
kinder you've been, the worse it has made me. You and father always
spoiled and petted me."

"Not we. Only kind to you, because we liked you. I say, Dyke, what
games we used to have! You see, I never had a brother till you came.
There, it's all right. Now then for a canter."

"Not yet," said Dyke. "I feel as if I could talk to you this morning."

"But you have talked, and it's all over now; so come along."

"No," cried Dyke firmly, and he caught his brother's rein.

"I say, old chap, are you the boss here, or am I?"

"I am, this morning," said the boy, looking up in his brother's big
manly face. "I want you to listen to me."

"Well, go ahead then, and let's get it over."

"It's been like this, Joe. I've got in a bad way of thinking lately.
It's all been so disappointing, and no matter what one did, nothing came
right."

"Yes, that's true enough, old chap," said Emson, rather drearily; "and
we have tried precious hard."

"You have, Joe, and I've been a regular sulky, disappointed sort of
brute."

"Coat been a bit rough, Dyke, old chap, eh? Out of sorts."

"I suppose in my head; but, Joe, I am sorry--I can't say it as I should
like to, but I--I will try now."

"Just as if I didn't know. We've been chums so long, old man, ever
since you first took to me when I was a big stupid fellow, all legs like
a colt, and as ugly, and you were a pretty little golden-haired chap,
always wanting to stick your soft chubby little fist in my big paw.
There, it's a