d without being able to apply
its rules, and lost their own time and patience, and that of their
unfortunate masters.

However, I am not writing an account of the lesson hours of my schoolboy
days, but rather of the play-hours. At the same time, I believe that
they are more connected, and the importance of the latter is greater
than some people are apt to suppose.

Bracebridge, Buttar, Bouldon, and Gregson were waiting to welcome Ellis
when he got down from the coach, which passed through the village,
half-a-mile from the house. They all, as they walked home, had a great
deal to say, and a great deal to tell him. Each one was eager to
describe where he had been, and what he had done in the holidays, and to
know all that had happened to Ellis during the same period. They then
had to tell him of all the changes which had occurred at the school.

"We have loads of new fellows," exclaimed Bouldon. "There is Milman,
and Bishop, and Lloyd, and Taylor, and a fellow named Barber, and
Cooper, and Lindsay; and there are five or six little fellows, whose
names I don't know, and several more are coming, and they say two or
three big fellows, who will be especially under the Doctor. A capital
increase for one half, though, to be sure, several have left in the
upper class. It shows, however, that the school is getting up."

"I know that I wish one fellow had left," said Buttar. "The school
suffers in consequence of him. I wouldn't have a younger brother of
mine come as long as he is here, that I know, to be bullied by him; to
be kicked, and cuffed, and abused is bad enough, but to hear him talk--
to have to listen to his foul language and stories, and all sorts of
ideas which come into his abominable mind, is infinitely worse."

"You are right, Buttar," exclaimed Bracebridge, warmly. "That fellow
Blackall and his tongue is a pest to society. If he simply bullied he
could do very little harm; but, I say, what is the matter with Ellis?
how pale and wretched he looks!"

"Bracebridge," said Ellis, coming round to him hurriedly, "who is this
fellow Barber? Where does he come from? Do you know? Oh, tell me!"

"From Doctor Graham's at Hampstead. I know for certain. He told me so
this morning," replied Bracebridge. "But, my dear fellow, what is the
matter with you?"

"Oh, Bracebridge, you'll know too soon," Ellis gasped out. They had
dropped a little behind the rest of the party. "Yet you'll not think
ill of me.