refrain from sending him back, as he did not
consider him a suitable member of a public school. He suggested, in
the lad's own interest, that it might be wise to place him in some
establishment where a speciality was made of the training of unruly
youths. He added that he wrote this with the more regret since Anthony's
father and grandfather had been scholars at ---- in their day, and her
son possessed no mean intellectual abilities. This would be shown by
the fact that he was at the head of his class, and might doubtless under
other circumstances have risen to a high place in the sixth form.

Then followed the details of his misdoings, of which one need only be
mentioned. He had fought another boy, who, it may be added, was older
than himself, and beaten him. But the matter did not end there, since
after his adversary had given up the fight Anthony flew at him and
maltreated him so ferociously before they could be separated, that for a
while the poor lad was actually in danger of collapse.

When reproached he expressed no penitence, but said only that he wished
that he had killed him. This he repeated to his mother's face; moreover,
he was furious when he found that Bess Catton had been sent away and
demanded her return. When told that this was impossible he announced
quietly that he would make the place a hell, and kept his word.

For a year or more before this date Barbara had not been well. She
suffered from persistent colds which she was unable to shake off, and
with these came great depression of spirit. Now in her misery the poor
woman went to her room, and falling on her knees prayed with all her
heart that she might die. The burden laid upon her was more than she
could bear. Only one consolation could she find, that her beloved
husband had not lived to share it, for she knew it would have crushed
him as it crushed her.

Her father was now very old, and so feeble that everyone screened him
from trouble so far as might be. But this particular trouble could not
be hid, and Barbara told him all.

"Do not give way, my dearest daughter," he said, "and above all do not
seek to fly from your trial, which doubtless is sent to you for some
good purpose. Troubles that we strive to escape nearly always recoil
upon our heads, whereas if they are faced, often they melt away. If you
remain in the world to watch and help him, your son's nature, bad as it
seems to be, may yet alter, for after all I know that he loves you.