He had not gone many steps, when he caught sight of Russell in the distance.

His first impulse was to run away and escape; but Russell determined to stop him, and when he came up, said, "Dear Eric, I have sought you out on purpose to tell you that _I_ don't suspect you, and have never done so for a moment.

I know you too well, my boy, and be sure that _I_ will always stick to you, even if the whole school cut you." "Oh, Edwin, I am _so_ wretched.

I needn't tell you that I am quite innocent of this.

What have I done to be so suspected?
Why, even your cousin Upton won't believe me." "But he does, Eric," said Russell; "he told me so just now, and several others said the same thing." A transient gleam passed over Eric's face.
"O, I do so long for home again," he said.