"Do you remember when the Doctor lectured you and East at the end of one half-year, when you were in the shell, and had been getting into all sorts of scrapes ?" "Yes, well enough," said Tom; "it was the half-year before Arthur came." "Exactly so," answered the master.

"Now, I was with him a few minutes afterwards, and he was in great distress about you two.

And after some talk, we both agreed that you in particular wanted some object in the School beyond games and mischief; for it was quite clear that you never would make the regular school work your first object.

And so the Doctor, at the beginning of the next half-year, looked out the best of the new boys, and separated you and East, and put the young boy into your study, in the hope that when you had somebody to lean on you, you would begin to stand a little steadier yourself, and get manliness and thoughtfulness.

And I can assure you he has watched the experiment ever since with great satisfaction.