y depriving him of a privilege which he has
abused; and as I myself detected Duncan and Williams, they will be
flogged in the library at twelve. But I now come to the worst part of
the proceeding. Somebody had been reckless enough to try and prevent
surprise by the dangerous expedient of putting a tin-basin against the
iron door. The consequence was, that I was severely hurt, and _might_
have been seriously injured in entering the lavatory. I must know the
name of the delinquent."

Upton and Eric immediately stood up. Dr Rowlands looked surprised, and
there was an expression of grieved interest in Mr Rose's face.

"Very well," said the Doctor, "I shall speak to you both privately."

Twelve o'clock came, and Duncan and Eric received a severe caning.
Corporal punishment, however necessary and desirable for some
dispositions, always produced on Eric the worst effects. He burned not
with remorse or regret, but with shame and violent indignation, and
listened, with an affectation of stubborn indifference, to Dr
Rowlands's warnings. When the flogging was over, he almost rushed out
of the room, to choke in solitude his sense of humiliation, nor would he
suffer any one for an instant to allude to his disgrace. Dr Rowlands
had hinted that Upton was doing him no good; but he passionately
resented the suggestion, and determined, with obstinate perversity, to
cling more than ever to the boy whom he had helped to involve in the
same trouble with himself.

Any attempt on the part of masters to interfere in the friendships of
boys is usually unsuccessful. The boy who has been warned against his
new acquaintance not seldom repeats to him the fact that Mr So-and-so
doesn't like seeing them together, and after that they fancy themselves
bound in honour to show that they are not afraid of continuing their
acquaintance. It was not strange, therefore, that Eric and Upton were
thrown more than ever into each other's society, and consequently that
Eric, while he improved daily in strength, activity, and prowess,
neglected more and more his school duties and honourable ambitions.

Mr Rose sadly remarked the failure of promise in his character and
abilities, and did all that could be done, by gentle firmness and
unwavering kindness, to recall his pupil to a sense of duty. One night
he sent for him to supper, and invited no one else. During the evening
he drew out Eric's exercise, and compared it with those of Russell and
Owen,