to chaff; but
you can spare me easily enough," and he laid his fevered hand kindly on
Henderson's, who immediately turned his head and brushed away a tear.
"O, don't cry," he added, in a pained tone of voice, "I never meant to
make you cry. I'm quite happy, Flip."

"O Daubeny! we can't get on without you!" said Henderson.

"Daubeny! I hardly know the name," said the sick boy, smiling. "No,
Flip, let it be Dubbs, as of old--a nice heavy name to suit its owner;
and you gave it me, you know, so it's your property, Flip, and I hardly
know myself by any other now."

"O Dubbs, I've plagued you so," said Henderson, sobbing as if his heart
would break; "I've never done anything but teaze you, and laugh at you,
and you've always been so good and so patient to me. Do forgive me."

"Pooh!" said Daubeny, trying to rally him. "Listen to him, Walter;
who'd think that Flip was talking? Teased me, Flip?" he continued, as
Henderson still sobbed at intervals, "not you! I always enjoyed your
chaff, and I knew that you liked me at heart. You've all been very kind
to me. Walter, I'm so glad I got to know you before I--. It's so
pleasant to see you here. Give me your hand; no, Flip, let me keep
yours too; it's getting dark. I like to have you here. I feel so
happy. I wish Power and Ken would come too, that I might see all my
friends."

"Good-night, Daubeny; I can't stay, I mustn't stay," said Henderson;
and, pressing his friend's hand, he hurried out of the room to indulge
in a burst of grief which he could not contain; for, under his trifling
and nonsensical manner, Henderson had a very warm and susceptible and
feeling heart, and though he had always made Daubeny a subject of
ridicule, he never did it with a particle of ill-nature, and felt for
him--dissimilar as their characters were--a most fervent and deep
regard.

"Look after him when I am gone, Walter," said Daubeny sadly, when he had
left the room. "He is a dear good fellow, but so easily led. Poor
Flip; he's immensely changed for the better since you came, Walter."

"I have been very fond of him all along," said Walter; "he is so full of
laughter and fun, and he's very good with it all. But, Dubbs, you are
too desponding; we shall have you here yet for many pleasant days."

"I don't know; perhaps so, if God wills. I am very young. I should
like to stay a little longer in the sunshine. Walter, I should like to
stay with _you_. I love you more, I think, t