that could be done in school; also in the deeds of daring and
violence that could be done out of it, with the able assistance of a
score or so of boys of almost every age and size. But the liking
moderated with experience, especially when the master, having tried
every method of encouragement and persuasion in vain, adopted the trying
method of keeping me in during play-hours. To escape this punishment I
tried to learn a little.

"I was a bully when I went to school, being big and strong for my age.
I mention the fact with shame, but it is some satisfaction to be able to
add that I was not a bully when I left it. My chief enemy, and,
afterwards, dearest friend, saved me from that state. He and I were the
biggest and strongest boys in the school. His name was Tom Turner.

"In nearly all respects Turner and I were opposites. He was clever and
studious; I stupid and idle. He was gentle and kind--especially to
little boys; I rough and disobliging. He was usually dux, I invariably
booby.

"`You shouldn't be so hard on little Spinks,' he said to me in a quiet
way, one day in the playground, `he can't defend himself, you know.'

"`You let me an' little Spinks alone,' I replied angrily, yet with some
hesitation, for I did not feel quite sure that I could thrash Turner. I
expected a sharp rejoinder, but he merely smiled and turned away.

"From that date I set Tom Turner down as a coward, and worried Spinks
more than ever, just to spite him.

"One day I had been harder than usual on little Spinks, who was a mere
human spider--all legs and arms, with a roundish body--when Tom called
me aside and quietly began to lecture me, just as if he had been a
grown-up man. I kept down my indignation at first, having made up my
mind to have a quarrel with him, but the amiable tone of his voice
subdued me.

"`You should consider, Jacob,' he went on, taking no notice of my
flushed face and angry frown, `what a poor little squirrel of a thing
Spinks is, and what a great powerful fellow you are. It's not fair, you
know, and he's a kindly, harmless sort of a fellow too. Besides, if his
poor mother knew how you treat him it would almost break her heart, for
she's very delicate, and he is her only child. You know I visited her
last year, on my way from London, in passing the village where she
lives. You've been there, haven't you?'

"`No,' I replied sulkily.

"`Oh, man, Jacob! you _would_ enjoy a visit to Spinks's home,' retu