itted
that he was by far the strongest there. But he always went his own way
and always knew his own mind, and when he had once given his decision
every one knew that it was of no use attempting to alter it; indeed, his
reputation for obstinacy was so great that when he had once said "I
won't" or "I will," no one ever attempted to argue with him.

He was given to long walks and to collecting insects or flowers. He
could never be persuaded to make one of the cricket eleven; but in
winter, when there was little scope for his favourite pursuit, he threw
himself into football; and although he absolutely refused to accept the
captaincy when unanimously elected to that honour, he was considered by
far the most valuable member of the team. He was scarcely popular among
the boys of his own age; for although his fun and general good temper
were appreciated by them, his determination to go his own way, and his
entire disregard for the opinion of others, caused him to be considered
an unsociable sort of fellow, an impression increased by the fact that
he had no particular chums.

Among the smaller boys he was greatly liked. He would never allow any
bullying when he was present; and although his interference was often
resented by some of the elders, his reputation for strength and
obstinacy was so great that he had never been called upon to take active
measures to support his decisively expressed opinions. His father lived
in a pretty house a quarter of a mile outside Reading; and as Wilfrid
attended the grammar-school there, he was much more free to indulge his
own tastes and go his own way than if he had been in a boarding-school.
His chief companion in his rambles was his only sister Marion, who was a
year his senior, although strangers would not have taken her to be so,
either from her appearance or manner. She had an active lithe figure,
and was able to keep up with him even during his longest excursions.
They were in fact great chums and allies, and Marion would have
indignantly scouted the idea had anyone suggested to her that her
brother was either obstinate or unsociable.

Mr. Renshaw had been intended for the bar, and had indeed been called to
that profession; but shortly afterwards he came into a fortune at the
death of his father, and at once abandoned all idea of practising. After
travelling for a few years on the Continent and in the East, he married
and settled down near Reading. His time was for the most part devo