on.

"I am afraid Ernest annoys you," said the professor.

"No; I am glad he likes me. I never had a little brother. I think I
should enjoy having one."

"If he could only be always like this," said the professor,
regretfully.

Just then Margaret entered. She was the nurse, who had constant charge
of Ernest. She paused on the threshold, and her looks showed her
surprise.

"Ernest has found a friend, Margaret," said the professor.

"I never saw the like, sir. Come here, Ernest."

The boy shook his head.

"No, I want to stay with him," indicating Chester.

"Did Ernest ever see him before, sir?"

"No; it seems to be a case of love at first sight."

"He has cut me out," said Arthur, smiling. "Ernest, which do you like
best, me or him?"

"Him," answered Ernest, touching Chester's cheek.

"I must tell Dr. Gridley of this new manifestation on the part of my
poor boy," said the professor. "Perhaps he can interpret it."

For twenty minutes Chester retained Ernest on his lap. Then Arthur
said:

"Chester must go now, Ernest."

The boy left Chester's lap obediently.

"Will you come and see me again?" he pleaded.

"Yes, I will come," said Chester, and, stooping over, he kissed the
boy's cheek. Ernest's face lighted up with a loving smile, and again he
kissed Chester's hand.

"Now, Chester, you can come to my den." Arthur opened the door of a
large room, furnished with every comfort.

It was easy to see that it was a boy's apartment. On a table were
boxing gloves. Over a desk in a corner was hung the photograph of a
football team, of which Arthur was the captain. There was another
photograph representing him with gloves on, about to have a set-to with
a boy friend.

"Do you box, Chester?" he asked.

"No; I never saw a pair of boxing gloves before."

"I will give you a lesson. Here, put on this pair."

Chester smiled.

"I shall be at your mercy," he said. "I am, perhaps, as strong as you,
but I have no science."

"It won't take you long to learn."

So the two boys faced each other. Before he knew what was going to
happen, Chester received a light tap on the nose from his new friend.

"I must tell you how to guard yourself. I will be the professor and you
the pupil."

Chester soon became interested, and at the end of half an hour his
teacher declared that he had improved wonderfully.

"We will have a lesson every time you come to see uncle," he said.

"Then I shall come to see two professors."