pare till it was over. The boys would have admitted Hugh; for he
could now play as well as anybody; but he was in no mood for play now.
He climbed his tree, and sat there, stinging his mind with the thought
of his having carried his boastings into the kitchen, and with his
recollection of Mrs. Watson's laugh.

It often happened that Firth and Hugh met at this tree; and it happened
now. There was room for both; and Firth mounted, and read for some time.
At last, he seemed to be struck by Hugh's restlessness and heavy sighs;
and he asked whether he had not got something to amuse himself with.

"No. I don't want to amuse myself," said Hugh, stretching so as almost
to throw himself out of the tree.

"Why, what's the matter? Did not you come off well with your theme? I
heard somebody say you were quite enough set up about it."

"Where is the use of doing a thing well, if nobody cares about it?"
said Hugh. "I don't believe anybody at Crofton cares a bit about
me--cares whether I get on well or ill--except Dale. If I take pains and
succeed, they only laugh at me."

"Ah! you don't understand school and school-boys yet," replied Firth.
"To do a difficult lesson well is a grand affair at home, and the whole
house knows of it. But it is the commonest thing in the world here. If
you learn to feel with these boys, instead of expecting them to feel
with you (which they cannot possibly do), you will soon find that they
care for you accordingly."

Hugh shook his head.

"You will find in every school in England," continued Firth, "that it is
not the way of boys to talk about feelings--about anybody's feelings.
That is the reason why they do not mention their sisters or their
mothers--except when two confidential friends are together, in a tree,
or by themselves in the meadows. But, as sure as ever a boy is full of
action--if he tops the rest at play--holds his tongue, or helps others
generously--or shows a manly spirit without being proud of it, the whole
school is his friend. You have done well, so far, by growing more and
more sociable; but you will lose ground if you boast about your lessons
out of school. To prosper at Crofton, you must put off home, and make
yourself a Crofton boy."

"I don't care about that," said Hugh. "I give it all up. There is
nothing but injustice here."

"Nothing but injustice! Pray, am I unjust?"

"No--not you--not so far. But----"

"Is Mr. Tooke unjust?"

"Yes--very."

"Pray how, and when?