a
soldier in a very few months. Just go and talk to the Doctor about it.
He'll be glad to find you wish to learn. You'll like old Sergeant
Dibble amazingly. It's worth learning for the sake of hearing him tell
his long stories about his campaigning days--what his regiment did in
the Peninsular, and how they drove all Napoleon's generals out of Spain
and Portugal."

Ernest grew quite enthusiastic when speaking about Sergeant Dibble, with
whom he was a great favourite. He succeeded in inspiring Ellis with a
strong desire to learn drilling.

"Who knows but what after all I may one day be considered fit to go into
the army!" exclaimed Ellis, after listening to a somewhat long oration
in praise of Sergeant Dibble.

"I wish you would go into it," said Ernest. "I believe that I am to be
a soldier, but my father will never tell any of us what professions he
intends us for. He tells us we must get as much knowledge as we can
obtain, and that we must perfect ourselves in all physical exercises,
and then that we shall be fit to be bishops, or generals, or lord
chancellors, or admirals, or aldermen, or whatever may be our lot in
life. Of course, he is right. My elder brother came out Senior
Wrangler at Cambridge, and pulls one of the best oars and plays cricket
as well as any man in the University. If I can do as well as he has
done I shall be content. He is now going to study the law, and then to
look after the family property. I have to make my own way in the world
somehow or other."

"Well, so have I to make my own way," observed Ellis. "I don't fancy
that I shall ever have any property coming to me, and I thought that I
should never get on, but always have to stick at the bottom of the tree;
but do you know, that from what you have said to me, I begin to hope
that I may be able to climb like others, if not to the top, at least to
a comfortable seat among the branches?"

"Bravo! capital! that you will!" cried Ernest, who was delighted to find
the effect his lessons were producing. He was not himself aware of the
benefits he was reaping from having some one to watch over and assist.
Ernest was undoubtedly very clever, but he was very far from perfect.
He could not help feeling that he was superior to most--indeed, to all
the boys of his own age at school. This did not make him vain or
conceited in any objectionable way, but he was somewhat egotistical. He
thought a good deal about himself--what people would