nued, "when we were home-boarders, and how kind
Monty used to be to me even then, and how mother liked him, and thought
him quite your truest friend, except poor Russell?"

"I do indeed. I didn't think then that it would come to this."

"I've always been _so_ sorry," said Vernon, "that I joined the fellows
in playing him tricks. I can't think how I came to do it, except that
I've done such lots of bad things here. But he's forgiven and forgotten
that long ago, and is very kind to me now."

It was true; but Eric didn't know that half the kindness which Montagu
showed to his brother was shown solely for _his_ sake.

"Do you know, I've thought of a plan for making you two friends again?
I've written to Aunt Trevor to ask him to Fairholm with us next
holidays."

"Oh, have you? Good Verny! Yes; _there_ we might be friends. Perhaps
there," he added, half to himself, "I might be more like what I was in
better days."

"But it's a long time to look forward to. Easter hasn't come yet," said
Vernon.

So the two young boys proposed; but God had disposed it otherwise.

VOLUME TWO, CHAPTER SEVEN.

THE PIGEONS.

Et motae ad Lunam trepidabis arundinis umbram. _Juvenal_ x. 21.

"How awfully dull it is, Charlie," said Eric, a few weeks before Easter,
as he sat with Wildney in his study one holiday afternoon.

"Yes; too late for football, too early for cricket." And Wildney
stretched himself and yawned.

"I suppose this is what they call ennui," said Eric again, after a
pause. "What's to be done, Sunbeam?"

"You _shan't_ call me that, Eric the fair-haired; you _shan't_ call me
that, so there's an end of it," said Wildney, hitting him on the arm.

"Hush, Charlie, don't call _me_ that either; it is a name that--never
mind; only don't--that's a good fellow."

"By the bye, Eric, I've just remembered to-morrow's my birthday, and
I've got a parcel coming this afternoon full of grub from home. Let's
go and see if it's come."

"Capital! We will."

So Eric and Wildney started off to the coach-office, where they found
the hamper, and ordered it to be brought at once to the school, and
carried up to Eric's study.

On opening it they found it rich in dainties, among which were a pair of
fowls and a large plum-cake.

"Hurrah!" said Wildney; "you were talking of nothing to do; I vote we
have a carouse to-morrow."

"Very well; only let's have it _before_ prayers, because we so nearly
got caught last time."