dred times over in my life, if I could forget so soon? I shall be
afraid of loving anybody very much, and talking with them alone, as
long as I live. I never felt the least afraid of telling till to-day;
and you cannot think how unhappy it makes me. And then, the thing
that provoked me to tell was that boy's being surly to me, and glad
that I was in disgrace this morning, for doing my lessons badly all
this week,--the very thing that should have made me particularly
careful how I behaved to him: for his pulling me off the wall was only
accident, after all. Everything has gone wrong to-day; and I am very
unhappy, and I feel as if I should never be sure of anything again;
and so I write to you. You told me you expected me not to fail; and
you see I have; and the next thing is that I must tell you of it.

"Your affectionate son,

"Hugh Proctor.

"PS. Phil has been very kind about my lessons, till this week
[_interlined_], when he has been very busy.

"PS. If you should answer this, please put `private' outside, or at
the top; and then Mr Tooke will not read it, nor anybody. But I know
you are very busy always; so I do not quite expect an answer."

When the letter was finished and closed, Hugh felt a good deal relieved:
but still not happy. He had opened his heart to the best friend he had
in this world: but he still felt grievously humbled for the present, and
alarmed for the future. Then he remembered that he might seek comfort
from a better Friend still; and that He who had sent him his trial could
and would help him to bear it with honour as well as with patience. As
he thought of this, he saw that the boys were trooping home, along the
road, and he slipped out, and into the orchard, where he knew he might
be alone with his best Friend. He stayed there till the supper-bell
rang; and when he came in, it was with a cheerful face. He was as merry
as anybody at supper: and afterwards he found his lessons more easy to
him than usual. The truth was that his mind was roused by the conflicts
of the day. He said his lessons to Phil (who found time to-night to
hear him), without missing a word. When he went to bed, he had several
pleasant thoughts. His secret was still his own (though by no merit of
his); to-morrow was Sunday,--likely to be a bright, sweet May Sunday,--
his lessons were quite ready for Monday; and possibly there might be a
letter from his mother in the cour