"Except you, I have no friend." "Don't say so, Eric.

This cloud will soon blow over.

Depend upon it, as the Doctor said, we shall discover the offender yet, and the fellows will soon make you reparation for their false suspicions.

And you _have_ one friend, Eric," he continued, pointing reverently upwards.
Eric was overcome; he sat down on the grass and hid his face till the tears flowed through his closed fingers.

Russell sat silent and pitying beside him, and let Eric's head rest upon his shoulder.
When they got home, Eric found three notes in his drawer.