Dr.May had offered to let him read with Mr.Harrison but Richard thought he was getting on pretty well, with the help Norman gave him; for it appeared that ever since Norman's return from London, he had been assisting Richard, who was not above being taught by a younger brother; while, on the other hand, Norman, much struck by his humility, would not for the world have published that he was fit to act as his elder's tutor.
One evening, when the two boys came in from school, Tom gave a great start, and, pulling Mary by the sleeve, whispered, "How came that book here ?" "It is Mr.Harrison's." "Yes, I know, but how came it here ?" "Richard borrowed it to look out something, and Ethel brought it down." A little reassured, Tom took up an exciting story-book, and ensconced himself by the fire, but his agonies were great during the ensuing conversation.
"Norman," Ethel was exclaiming in delight, "do you know this book ?" "Smith?
Yes, it is in the school library." "There's everything in it that one wants, I do believe.

Here is such an account of ancient galleys--I never knew how they managed their banks of rowers before--oh! and the Greek houses--look at the pictures too." "Some of them are the same as Mr.Rivers's gems," said Norman, standing behind her, and turning the leaves, in search of a favourite.
"Oh! what did I see?
is that ink ?" said Flora, from the opposite side of the table.
"Yes, didn't you hear ?" said Ethel.

"Mr.Harrison told Ritchie when he borrowed it, that unluckily one day this spring he left it in school, and some of the boys must have upset an inkstand over it; but, though he asked them all round, each denied it.

How I should hate for such things to happen! and it was a prize-book too." While Ethel spoke she opened the marked page, to show the extent of the calamity, and as she did so Mary exclaimed, "Dear me! how funny! why, how did Harry's blotting-paper get in there ?" Tom shrank into nothing, set his teeth, and pinched his fingers, ready to wish they were on Mary's throat, more especially as the words made some sensation.

Richard and Margaret exchanged looks, and their father, who had been reading, sharply raised his eyes and said, "Harry's blotting-paper! How do you know that, Mary ?" "It is Harry's," said she, all unconscious, "because of that anchor up in one corner, and the Union Jack in the other.