ot
last long, for Hugh's performances did not make Tooke very merry; and
the boys sat down quietly again.

"Now, I'll tell you what," said Tooke. "I am a bigger and stronger boy
than you, without considering this accident I'll take care of you all
the time you are at Crofton: and always afterwards, if I can. Mind you
that. If anybody teases you, you call me,--that's all. Say you will."

"Why," said Hugh, "I had rather take care of myself. I had rather make
no difference between you and everybody else."

"There now! You don't forgive me, after all."

"I do,--upon my word, I do. But why should I make any difference
between you and the rest, when you did not mean me any harm,--any more
than they? Besides, it might make people suspect."

"Well, let them. Sometimes I wish," continued Tooke, twisting himself
about in the uneasiness of his mind, "sometimes I wish that everybody
knew now. They say murderers cannot keep their secret. They are sure
to tell, when they cannot bear it any longer."

"That is because of their consciences," said Hugh. "But you are not
guilty of anything, you know. I am sure I can keep a secret easily
enough, when I am not to blame in it."

"Yes! You have shown that. But--"

"Come! Don't let us talk any more about that--only just this. Has
anybody accused you? Because I must know,--I must be on my guard."

"Nobody has said a word, because my father put us all upon honour never
to mention it: but I always feel as if all their eyes were upon me all
day,--and sometimes in the night."

"Nonsense! I don't believe anybody has pitched on you particularly.
And when school opens again, all their eyes will be on me, to see how I
manage. But I don't mean to mind that. Anybody may stare that likes."

Hugh sighed, however, after saying this; and Tooke was silent. At
length he declared,--

"Whatever you say against it, I shall always take your part: and you
have only to ask me, and I will always run anywhere, and do anything for
you. Mind you that."

"Thank you," said Hugh. "Now tell me about the new usher; for I dare
say you know more than the other boys do. Holt and I shall be under him
altogether, I suppose."

"Yes: and you will be well off, by what I hear. He is as little like
Mr Carnaby as need be."

All the rest of the afternoon was taken up with stories of Mr Carnaby
and other ushers, so that the boys were surprised when the maid came to
tell them that tea was ready