aper he broke down in--I could have
done it as easily as possible."

"I did it all but one question," said Ethel, "but so did he, you know,
and we can't tell whether we should have it done well enough."

"I know I must do something respectable when first I go to Oxford, if
I don't wish to be known as the man whose brother was plucked," said
Norman.

"Yes," said Ethel; "if papa will but let you try for the Randall
scholarship next year, but he says it is not good to go to Oxford so
young."

"And I believe I had better not be there with Richard," added Norman. "I
don't like coming into contrast with him, and I don't think he can like
it, poor fellow, and it isn't his fault. I had rather stay another year
here, get one of the open scholarships, and leave the Stoneborough ones
for those who can do no better."

In justice to Norman, we must observe that this was by no means said as
a boast. He would scarcely have thus spoken to any one but Etheldred, to
whom, as well as to himself, it seemed mere matter-of-fact. The others
had in the meantime halted at the top of the hill, and were looking back
at the town--the great old Minster, raising its twin towers and long
roof, close to the river, where rich green meadows spread over the
valley, and the town rising irregularly on the slope above, plentifully
interspersed with trees and gardens, and one green space on the banks
of the river, speckled over with a flock of little black dots in rapid
motion.

"Here you are!" exclaimed Flora. "I told them it was of no use to wait
when you and Norman had begun a dissertation."

"Now, Mr. Ernescliffe, I should like you to say," cried Ethel, "which
do you think is the best, the name of it, or the thing?" Her eloquence
always broke down with any auditor but her brother, or, perhaps,
Margaret.

"Ethel!" said Norman, "how is any one to understand you? The argument is
this: Ethel wants people to do great deeds, and be utterly careless of
the fame of them; I say, that love of glory is a mighty spring."

"A mighty one!" said Alan: "but I think, as far as I understand the
question, that Ethel has the best of it."

"I don't mean that people should not serve the cause first of all," said
Norman, "but let them have their right place and due honour."

"They had better make up their minds to do without it," said Alan.
"Remember--

'The world knows nothing of its greatest men.'"

"Then it is a great shame," said Norman.

"But