down to Eton. Tom had told his brother when to expect
them, and Jack Bouldon was at the Windsor Station ready to receive them.
He fully answered the description which had been given of him.

"I'm so glad you are come!" he exclaimed. "We have a fine busy time of
it--lots to do. I've luncheon for you in my room. We are to dine at my
tutor's, to meet our father, you know, Tom; and after it we'll go and
see the boating. I belong to a boat; but I have sprained my arm, and
mustn't pull, which is a horrid bore. Come along, though."

It is extraordinary how quickly Ernest and Ellis became acquainted with
their new friend, and how fine a fellow they could not help thinking
him, though he was scarcely older than either of them. They had not
gone far when Jack stopped in front of Layton's the pastry-cook's.

"Come in here, by the by," he exclaimed, pulling Ernest by the arm. "I
ordered some refreshment as I came along; we should not be able to do
without it, do you see."

The visitors required but little persuasion to enter, and as soon as
they appeared a supply of ices and strawberry messes were placed before
them.

"No bad things!" they pronounced them.

"No, indeed!" said Jack, carelessly. "They slip down the throat
pleasantly enough. We don't patronise anything that isn't good at Eton,
let me assure you."

All present fully concurred in this opinion, the food they were
discussing being a strong argument in its favour; but at last the
strawberry messes came to an end, and they continued their walk into
Eton. Although the town itself did not exactly excite their admiration,
they expressed their pleasure when they saw the college buildings, and
the meadows, and the rapidly-flowing clear river, and the view of
Windsor Castle, rising proudly above all, a residence worthy of
England's sovereigns.

"Now," said Jack Bouldon, "come along to my tutor's. You'll want some
rest before the fun of the day begins."

His tutor's house was a very comfortable, large one, not far from the
college gates. Jack ushered them into his room. He was not a little
proud of it. It was all his own, his castle and sanctum. It was not
very richly furnished, but it looked thoroughly comfortable. There was
a turn-up bedstead, and washhand-stand, which also shut up, and
prevented it having too much the appearance of a bedroom. A
good-looking, venerable oak bureau served to hold most of the occupant's
clothes, below which, in the upp