Papa knows all about it, and while he does, I don't care half so much." "Oh, I wish--I wish--" "You see, Tom," said Norman, "after all, though it is very kind of you to be sorry for not being able to get me out of this scrape, the thing one wants you to be sorry about is your own affair." "I wish I had never come to school! I wish Anderson would leave me alone! It is all his fault! A mean-spirited, skulking, bullying--" "Hush, hush, Tom, he is bad enough, but now you know what he is, you can keep clear of him for the future.

Now listen.

You and I will make a fresh start, and try if we can't get the Mays to be looked on as they were when Harry was here.

Let us mind the rules, and get into no more mischief." "You'll keep me from Ned Anderson and Axworthy ?" whispered Tom.
"Yes, that I will.

And you'll try and speak the truth, and be straightforward ?" "I will, I will," said Tom, worn out in spirits by his long bondage, and glad to catch at the hope of relief and protection.
"Then let us come home," and Tom put his hand into his brother's, as a few weeks back would have seemed most unworthy of schoolboy dignity.
Thenceforth Tom was devoted to Norman, and kept close to him, sure that the instant he was from under his wing his former companions would fall on him to revenge his defection, but clinging to him also from real affection and gratitude.