ant etiquette
which school-life sets between boys and masters. He was in no mood for
a master to try to play the parent, especially when now the contrast
seemed so great, and lying, as he was, under false imputations.

But he was soon relieved, for Doctor Palmer said:

"I have to go out now, Campbell. Don't hurry over your tea, but when
you have quite finished you can go to bed. You need not wait up for
prayers."

"Thank you, sir," answered Harry, brighter for the first time. Relief
was come at last, and the study-door closing over the Doctor's portly
form was the welcomest sight Harry had seen for many days.

Once alone, he lingered over his tea. He knew he wouldn't be
interrupted, and the contents of the table seemed doubly good now. He
even looked at some books, and at last became so absorbed in one, that
he went on reading, regardless of time, till he heard the boarders'
prayer-bell ringing, at the sound of which he hurried off to bed. On
the stairs he met the matron.

"Oh, Master Campbell, I was looking for you. You're changed into No. 7
dormitory. I put your box by your bed, so you'll know where you're to
sleep. How are you now, dear," she added, kindly, "have you heard from
your papa? when's he coming home? You'll try and be a good boy, won't
you? You must think how it would vex your dear ma; and you won't give
Doctor Palmer cause to cane you again, I know," and Miss Parker
smoothed her apron, and took breath after her long-winded oration.

There it was at last. Harry feared it would come sooner or later, this
allusion to the crib. He burst out indignantly,--

"Mamma believed me, Miss Parker, if nobody else did. She knew I didn't
crib; but I won't bear it, I won't," he cried passionately, as he ran
up-stairs to his new destination.

CHAPTER XII.

BULLYING.

"Gas out."--The new boy's turn--"To err is
human"--Resistance--Persecution--I'll run away.

"Well, there now," ejaculated Miss Parker, "I never! That boy's not a
bit brought down by his mother's death. He sticks to it, just as
indignant as ever."

But Harry was out of hearing, and was sitting on his bed, staring into
his box which he had just opened. Presently, there was a sound of
footsteps scurrying up-stairs and along the passages, and the door of
No. 7 dormitory burst open, and its sixteen boys rushed in one after
another, huddling together like a flock of sheep.

The first thing that met their eyes was Harry, who