s going forward
in the world: don't you think so, Buttar?"

Buttar, though a clever fellow, had not as yet thought much about the
matter. He remarked, however, that if he could get information by
talking, or rather by hearing others talk, that it would be much
pleasanter often than having to pore over books. But that was not what
Ernest meant. "Ah, but there must be a fair exchange of ideas and
information, to make social intercourse as pleasant as it is capable of
being. You must give as much as you take."

"Well, I never before thought of that," remarked Gregson. "I have never
yet fallen in with people willing to talk of my favourite subjects.
Perhaps if I was to meet them I should enjoy their conversation as much
as you suppose you would those of literary characters or other
well-informed persons."

"Oh, I am not alluding to literary characters, as you call them," said
Ernest. "I mean well-informed, intelligent, unprejudiced persons; or,
what would be still more agreeable, would be to collect people who have
devoted themselves to different branches of science, and who are yet
fully capable of understanding each other's peculiar subjects."

So the schoolboys talked on as they walked briskly towards the scene
they proposed for their sport.

"But do not let us forget Hodge," said Ernest. "Hereabouts he dwells, I
believe. Let us inquire at this cottage." An old woman came forth from
the door where they knocked, and told them that John Hodge lived better
nor a quarter of a mile down the road, and he, poor man, was sure to be
at home, for he had met with an accident, and, she had heard say, was
very ill, and had been out of work for many a long day. They thanked
her and hurried on.

"Ought we to go and trouble him?" asked Buttar.

"Certainly, he may want assistance," was Ernest's thoughtful reply.

A little child pointed to a neat cottage door. That was where John
Hodge lived. They knocked, and were told to come in. They started back
with surprise on seeing Ellis seated on a chair, reading earnestly to
the man they had come to see, while a woman stood by, with her apron to
her eyes, and five small children were playing about the humble
brick-floored room. How changed was poor Hodge! Thin and pale in the
extreme, with an expression of care on his countenance, he sat propped
up in an old oak chair. It was evident that he could not move, or
indeed breathe, without pain. Ellis was so absorbed in his o