having grabbed but a little here and there, I have to worry along with a
thing that another man might dismiss at once. What's your idea, Bill?"

"My idea is that a man ought never to give up; but, of course, there are
times when he is so completely beaten that to fight longer is worse than
useless. But learning cannot settle questions wherein the heart is
involved. The philosopher may kill himself in despair, while the
ignorant man may continue to fight and may finally win. The other day
you spoke of something that was in your favor--something that has to do
with your sister's education. Would you think it impertinent if I ask
you what that something is?"

"No, I'd not think that," he answered. I had risen up in bed and was
straining my eyes, trying to find his face, to study his expression, but
darkness lay between us. "Not impertinent in the least, but I can't tell
you just now. After a while, if you stay here long enough, you'll know
all about it. Bill, if that young Aimes comes to school and begins any
of his pranks, take him down and I'll stand by you, and people that know
me well will tell you that I mean what I say. The old man has never been
whipped yet, I mean my father, and nobody ever saw his son knock
under."

CHAPTER VII.

The next morning, when with quick stride, to make up for an anxious
lingering in the passage way, I hastened toward the school, I heard the
gallop of a horse, and turning about, saw old General Lundsford coming
like a dragoon. Upon seeing me he drew in his horse and had sobered him
to a walk by the time he reached a brook, on the brink of which I halted
to let him pass.

"Why, good morning, Mr. Hawes. Beautiful day, sir. I am going your way a
short distance, and if you'll get up here behind me, sir, you shall
ride."

I thanked him, telling him that I much preferred to walk. "All right,
sir, and I will get down and walk with you until duty, sir," he said
sonorously, with a bow; "until duty, sir, shall call us apart."

I urged him not to get down, telling him that I could easily keep pace
with his horse, but he dismounted even before crossing the stream,
preferring, he said, with another bow, to take his chances with me. And
thus we walked onward, the horse following close, now and then "nosing"
his master's shoulder to show his preference and his loyalty. The season
was mellowing and the old gentleman was airily dressed in white, low
shoes neatly polished and a Panama hat.