. I am astonished that you should have
treated me so unworthily. I would not have done so to you. I will
try to forget this unpleasant business; but it is only in a sense that
I can sign myself again.

"Your affectionate friend. H. Kenrick."

Walter had not expected this cold, ungracious reply. When Whalley gave
him Kenrick's note he tore it open eagerly, anticipating a frank renewal
of their former friendship; but a red spot rose to his cheeks as he saw
the insinuation that he had not told the whole truth, and as he tore up
the note, he indignantly determined to take no further step towards a
reconciliation.

Yet as he thought how many pleasant hours they had spent together, and
how firmly on the whole Kenrick had stood by him in his troubles, and
how lovable a boy he really was, Walter could not but grieve over this
difference. He found himself often yearning to be on the old terms with
Kenrick; he felt that at heart he still loved him well; and after a few
days he again stifled all pride, and wrote:--

"Dear Ken,--Is it possible that you will not believe my word? If you
still feel any doubt about what I have said, do come and see me in
Power's study. I am sure that I would convince you in five minutes
that you must be under some mistake; and if I have done you any wrong,
or if you _think_ that I have done you any wrong, Ken, I'll apologise
sincerely without any pride or reserve. I miss your society very
much, and I still am and shall be, whatever you may think and whatever
you may say of me.--Yours affectionately, W.E."

As he naturally did not wish any third person to know what was passing
between them he did not entrust this note to any one, but himself placed
it between the leaves of an Herodotus which he knew that Kenrick would
use at the next school. He had barely put it there when a boy who
wanted an Herodotus happened to come into the classroom, and seeing
Kenrick's lying on the table, coolly walked off with it, after the
manner of boys, regardless of the inconvenience to which the owner might
be put. As this boy was reading a different part of Herodotus from that
which Kenrick was reading, Walter's note lay between the leaves where it
had been placed, unnoticed. When the book was done with, the boy forgot
it, and left it in school, where, after kicking about for some days
unowned, it was consigned, with other stray volumes, to a miscellaneous
cupboard, where it lay und