The delicious sensation of returning esteem made him almost think it worth while to have under gone his trial.
Most happily did he spend the remainder of that afternoon, and it was no small relief to all the Rowlandites in the evening to find themselves finally rid of Barker, whose fate no one pitied, and whose name no one mentioned without disgust.

He had done more than any other boy to introduce meanness, quarrelling, and vice, and the very atmosphere of the rooms seemed healthier in his absence.

One boy only forgave him, one boy only prayed for him, one boy only endeavored to see him for one last kind word.

That boy was Edwin Russell.
After prayers, Mr.Gordon, who had been at Dr.Rowlands' to dinner, apologised to Eric amply and frankly for his note, and did and said all that could be done by an honorable man to repair the injury of an unjust doubt.

Eric felt his generous humility, and from thenceforth, though they were never friends, he and Mr.Gordon ceased to be enemies.
That night Mr.Rose crowned his happiness by asking him and his defenders to supper in the library.