st two years? I took
it up as a sort of amusement when I was seedy; it would not be bad fun
to work together sometimes. I daresay you are ahead of me in Greek, but
I don't believe you could beat me in mathematics. We could help each
other, and it would be good practice. I suppose your brother gives you
lessons in mathematics.'

Kester shook his head.

'There is not time for everything, and Cyril always says mathematics are
not in his line--he is a classical master, you see.'

'Oh yes, that is easily understood; but you can have more than one
master. Come, shall we make a bargain? Will you read Greek with me? and
I will give you an hour three times a week for mathematics, or anything
else you like. I am an idle man, and any fixed occupation would be a
boon to me.'

'Do you mean it?' was the breathless answer; and then he added, a little
shyly: 'I am awfully obliged; I should like it of all things; but you
are not strong, are you?--Miss Ross told us so.'

'Not particularly; I was rather knocked about by the Zulus, you know,
and my leg gives me a good deal of trouble. I am pretty heavily
handicapped--we are both in the same boat, are we not?--but we may as
well make a fight for it.'

'Someone told me,' returned Kester, in a tone of great awe, 'that you
have the Victoria Cross, Captain Burnett.'

Michael nodded; he never cared to be questioned on the subject.

'Will you let Mollie and me see it one day?' half whispered the boy. 'I
hope you don't mind my asking you, but I have always so wanted to see
it. I am afraid you won't tell us all about it, but I should dearly love
to hear.'

No one had ever induced Michael to tell that story; the merest allusion
to his gallantry always froze him up in a moment--even Dr. Ross, who was
his nearest confidant, had never heard the recital from his own lips.
But for once Michael let himself be persuaded; Kester's boyish eagerness
prevailed, and, to his own surprise, Michael found himself giving the
terrible details in a cool, business-like manner.

No wonder Kester forgot the time as he listened; the lad's sensitive
frame thrilled with passionate envy at the narrative. At last he had met
a hero face to face. What were those old Greek fellows--Ajax, or Hector
or any of those gaudy warriors--compared with this quiet English
soldier?

'Oh, if I could only be you!' he sighed, as Michael ended his recital;
'if I could look back on a deed like that! How many lives did you save,
Ca