ere
hates me, and they'll hate me all the more now," said Gilks. "You and
young Wyndham are the only fellows that have been good to me, and I've
done both of you nothing but mischief."

"I think," said Riddell, "the fellows will soon forgive. They would, I
know, if they guessed how you have suffered already."

"You are right. I have suffered," said Gilks. Another long pause
followed, during which the minds of both were full.

The one sensation in the captain's heart was pity. He forgot all about
the crime in commiseration of the wretchedness of the criminal. Yet he
knew it was useless to hold out any hope of a reprieve, even if that had
been to be desired. All he could do was to let the poor fellow know at
least that he was not friendless; and this sign of sympathy Gilks
gratefully appreciated.

"I don't know why you should trouble yourself about me," he said, after
some further talk. "You owe me less than anybody. I've been nothing
less than a brute to you."

"Oh, no," said Riddell; "but, do you know, I think it would be well to
go to the doctor at once?"

"I mean to go at once. Do you think he'll let me go off this afternoon,
I say? I wouldn't dare to face the fellows. I've got most of my things
packed up."

"I expect he would. But you stay till the morning. You can have my
study. It's quieter than this."

Perhaps no more hospitable invitation had been issued in Willoughby, and
Gilks knew it. And it was too welcome not to be accepted gratefully.

The captain soon afterwards departed, leaving the penitent behind him,
subdued and softened, not by any sermon or moral lecture, which at such
a time Riddell felt would be only out of place, but by sheer force of
kindness--that virtue which costs so little, yet achieves so much.

In this new excitement the captain had for the moment forgotten young
Wyndham, but he was soon reminded of that afflicted youth's existence on
reaching the Big.

He was there, waiting impatiently. A glance sufficed to show that at
any rate the worst had not happened, but Wyndham's face was such a
mixture of relief and woe that the captain felt some misgivings as he
inquired eagerly what was the news.

"He was frightfully kind," said Wyndham, "and talked to me like a
father. I never felt so ashamed of myself. I'm certain it's what you
said made him let me off so easy--that is, so what he means for easy.
He said nothing about expelling, even when I couldn't tell him th