He has seemed a good deal steadier than he was, of late." "So he is, sir.

But this is about something he did some time ago." The doctor settled himself judicially in his chair, and waited for the captain's report.
"He got into bad company early in the term, sir, and was tempted down into the town without leave, and once let himself be taken to Beamish's Aquarium." The doctor gave a grunt of displeasure, which sounded rather ominous.
"How long ago was this ?" "A few days before the boat-race, sir.

It has been weighing on his mind ever since." "Did he tell you of it ?" asked the doctor.
"No, I found it out accidentally.

When I spoke to him about it he admitted it and seemed very sorry." "And why did he not come to me himself at once ?" "That's just it, sir," said the captain.

"I advised him to do it, and he told me he had promised the--the companions with whom he went never to mention the matter to anybody, and this prevented his coming.