he
was scorned and ill-treated, and driven, by bodily terror, into acts
alarming to his conscience, dangerous in their consequences, and painful
in the perpetration; and yet, among all his sufferings, the little
coward dreaded nothing so much as truth, though it would have set him
free at once from this wretched tyranny.

Excepting on holidays, and at hours when the town-boys were allowed to
go home, there were strict rules confining all except the sixth form
to their bounds, consisting of two large courts, and an extensive field
bordered by the river and the road. On the opposite side of the
bridge was a turnpike gate, where the keeper exposed stalls of various
eatables, very popular among the boys, chiefly because they were not
allowed to deal there. Ginger-beer could also be procured, and
there were suspicions that the bottles so called contained something
contraband.

"August," said Norman, as they were coming home from school one evening,
"did I see you coming over the bridge?"

Tom would not answer.

"So you have been at Ballhatchet's gate? I can't think what could take
you there. If you want tarts, I am sure poor old Betty's are just as
good. What made you go there?"

"Nothing," said Tom.

"Well, mind you don't do it again, or I shall have to take you in hand,
which I shall be very sorry to do. That man is a regular bad character,
and neither my father nor Dr. Hoxton would have one of us have anything
to do with him, as you know."

Tom was in hopes it was over, but Norman went on. "I am afraid you are
getting into a bad way. Why won't you mind what I have told you plenty
of times before, that no good comes of going after Ned Anderson, and
Axworthy, and that set. What were you doing with them to-day?" But,
receiving no answer, he went on. "You always sulk when I speak to you.
I suppose you think I have no right to row you, but I do it to save you
from worse. You can't never be found out." This startled Tom, but Norman
had no suspicion. "If you go on, you will get into some awful scrape,
and papa will be grieved. I would not, for all the world, have him put
out of heart about you. Think of him, Tom, and try to keep straight."
Tom would say nothing, only reflecting that his elder brother was harder
upon him than any one else would be, and Norman grew warmer. "If you let
Anderson junior get hold of you, and teach you his tricks, you'll
never be good for anything. He seems good-natured now, but he will turn