nature, possibly for the
purpose of scientific research, for which absolute quiet is necessary.
His experiments are chiefly directed to the making or taking of
examination papers, and on his return we may look for valuable
discoveries. Meanwhile he sees very little company. The society in
which he most delights is that of certain Guinea-pigs, between whom and
himself a special bond of sympathy appears to exist. It is a touching
sight to see him taking his daily walks in company with these singular
animals; who, be it said, seem to be the only creatures able to
appreciate his character. Curiously enough, since he left us, Saint
Dominic's has not collapsed; indeed, it is a singular fact that now he
is away it is no longer considered necessary for every fellow to lock
his study-door when he goes out, and keep the key." And so on.

Miserable stuff indeed, as Stephen thought, but quite stinging enough to
wound him over and over again as he saw the sneers and heard the laughs
with which the reading of the extract was greeted. Everybody evidently
was against his brother, and, with a deep disgust and fury at his heart,
he left them to laugh by themselves and returned to Oliver's study.

He found his brother in what were now his usual cheerful spirits. For
after the first week or so of his being sent to Coventry, Oliver, in his
own study at least, kept up a cheerful appearance.

"Hullo, Stee," said he as the young brother entered. "You're just in
time. Here's a letter from mother."

"Is there? How jolly! Read it out, Noll."

So Oliver read it out. It was an ordinary, kind, motherly epistle, such
as thousands of schoolboys get every week of the school year. All about
home, and what is going on, how the dogs are, where sister Mary has been
to, how the boiler burst last week, which apple-tree bore most, and so
on; every scrap of news that could be scraped up from the four winds of
heaven was in that letter.

And to the two brothers, far away, and lonely even among their
schoolfellows, it came like a breath of fresh air that morning.

"I have been so proud," went on Mrs Greenfield towards the end of the
letter, "ever since I heard of dear Oliver's success in winning the
scholarship. Not so much for the value of it, though that is pretty
considerable, but because I am so sure he deserves it."

"Hear, hear!" put in Stephen.

"Poor Mr Wraysford! I hope he is not very much disappointed. How nice
it would have b