.

The boys did make one languid protest, more, however, to relieve their
consciences than to dissuade one another from the meanness of looking
into another boy's diary.

"Rather low, perhaps," said Telson, "to look at a fellow's notes."

"I don't know," said King. "If a fellow keeps a diary he must expect it
to be looked at if he leaves it about. I know I should."

"Well, yes, so should I too," said Parson. "Besides, you know, of
course we wouldn't tell any one else."

"Rather not," said Telson. "But you know, Parson," he added, seriously,
"it's just possible he might have something about the rudder-line in it,
and it would be a great thing to clear that up, wouldn't it?"

"So it would," said Parson, seating himself at the table.

Telson and King did the same, and Bosher's diary was forthwith opened.

To all appearance Bosher was the most unlikely boy in all Willoughby to
keep a diary. He was not usually credited with overmuch intelligence,
and certainly not with much sentiment, and the few remarks he did
occasionally offer on things in general were never very weighty. He was
a good-tempered, noisy, able-bodied fag, who was at any one's service,
and who in all his exploits did about as much work for as little glory
as any boy in the school.

The present discovery certainly revealed him in a new and startling
light, and it was with a feeling somewhat akin to awe that the three
boys who called themselves his friends set themselves to the task of
inspecting his private--his very private diary.

The small volume dated from the beginning of the term, and the first
entry the trio examined may be taken as a fair specimen of its general
contents.

"`May 20. The twentieth of May. I awake at 5:37, and got up at 5:43.
My motive is to see the boats. It was a beautiful and fine morning.
The early birds were singing gladly wore my flannels for running along
with the boat.'"

Bosher was a little shaky occasionally in his punctuation, which will
explain any apparent incoherence in the above and following sentences.

"`I sang as I dressed except while washing The Minstrel Boy. Started
out at 6:2--met Parson in the Big. Parson thinks too much of himself.'"

"Sharp chap, Bosher," said King.

"I'll pull his nose when I see him," said Parson, who, however, did not
appear very deeply affronted so far.

The reading continued.

"`Parson ran on and left me alone. Now that I am alone let me muse on
my past life