be clouded--but it can't be helped, and you will work
yourself into a character again. You are full young, and can stay for
the next Randall."

Norman felt as if, while his father looked at him as he now did, the
rest of the world were nothing to him; but, perhaps, the driving past
the school brought him to a different mind, for he walked into the house
slowly and dejectedly.

He told his own story to Ethel, in the garden, not without much
difficulty, so indignant were her exclamations; and it was impossible to
make her see that his father's interference would put him in an awkward
position among the boys. She would argue vehemently that she could not
bear Mr. Wilmot to think ill of him, that it was a great shame of Dr.
Hoxton, and that it was dreadful to let such a boy as Harvey Anderson go
unpunished. "I really do think it is quite wrong of you to give up your
chance of doing good, and leave him in his evil ways!" That was all
the comfort she gave Norman, and she walked in to pour out a furious
grumbling upon Margaret.

Dr. May had been telling the elder ones, and they were in conversation
after he had left them--Margaret talking with animation, and Flora
sitting over her drawing, uttering reluctant assents. "Has he told you,
poor fellow?" asked Margaret.

"Yes," said Ethel. "Was there ever such a shame?"

"That is just what I say," observed Flora. "I cannot see why the
Andersons are to have a triumph over all of us."

"I used to think Harvey the best of the two," said Ethel. "Now I think
he is a great deal the worst. Taking advantage of such a mistake as
this! How will he ever look Norman in the face!"

"Really," said Margaret, "I see no use in aggravating ourselves by
talking of the Andersons."

"I can't think how papa can consent," proceeded Flora. "I am sure, if I
were in his place, I should not!"

"Papa is so much pleased with dear Norman's behaviour that it quite
makes up for all the disappointment," said Margaret. "Besides, he is
very much obliged to him in one way; he would not have liked to have
to battle the matter with Dr. Hoxton. He spoke of Norman's great good
judgment."

"Yes, Norman can persuade papa to anything," said Flora.

"Yes, I wish papa had not yielded," said Ethel. "It would have been just
as noble in dear Norman, and we should not have the apparent disgrace."

"Perhaps it is best as it is, after all," said Flora.

"Why, how do you mean?" said Ethel.

"I think very likely thin