an for unkindness
on this of all days in the year. You know how it was; you love him
better; just as I do, for not being able to bear to stay in this room,
where--"

"Yes," said Ethel, mournfully; "it was a great shame of me! How could I?
Dear Norman! how he does grieve--what love his must have been! But yet,
Margaret," she said impatiently, and the hot tears breaking out, "I
cannot--cannot bear it! To have him not caring one bit for all of us! I
want him to triumph! I can't without him!"

"What, Ethel, you, who said you didn't care for mere distinction and
praise? Don't you think dear mamma would say it was safer for him not to
be delighted and triumphant?"

"It is very tiresome," said Ethel, nearly convinced, but in a slightly
petulant voice.

"And does not one love those two dear boys to-night!" said Margaret.
"Norman not able to rejoice in his victory without her, and Harry in
such an ecstacy with Norman's honours. I don't think I ever was so fond
of my two brothers."

Ethel smiled, and drew up her head, and said no boys were like them
anywhere, and papa would be delighted, and so went to bed happier in her
exultation, and in hoping that the holidays would make Norman himself
again.

Nothing could be better news for Dr. May, who had never lost a grain
of the ancient school-party-loyalty that is part of the nature of the
English gentleman. He was a thorough Stoneborough boy, had followed
the politics of the Whichcote foundation year by year all his life, and
perhaps, in his heart, regarded no honour as more to be prized than that
of Dux and Randall scholar. Harry was in his room the next morning as
soon as ever he was stirring, a welcome guest--teased a little at first,
by his pretending to take it all as a sailor's prank to hoax him and
Richard, and then free to pour out to delighted ears the whole history
of the examination, and of every one's congratulations.

Norman himself was asleep when Harry went to give this narration. He
came down late, and his father rose to meet him as he entered. "My boy,"
he said, "I had not expected this of you. Well done, Norman!" and the
whole tone and gesture had a heartfelt approval and joy in them, that
Ethel knew her brother was deeply thrilled by, for his colour deepened,
and his lips quivered into something like a smile, though he did not
lift his eyes.

Then came Richard's warm greeting and congratulation, he, too, showing
himself as delighted as if the honours were