ess, Rodney, but it is a kind of selfishness
that makes me your devoted friend. How long do you think you shall
remain at school?"

"I don't know. My guardian has never told me his plans for me. I wish he
would."

"I shall miss you, Rodney, but we will correspond, won't we?"

"Surely. You know I shall always feel interested in you and your
welfare."

David was a plain boy of humble parentage, and would probably be a hard
working mechanic. In fact he was looking for nothing better.

But Rodney Ropes looked to be of genteel blood, and had the air of
one who had been brought up a gentleman. But different as they were in
social position the two boys had always been devoted friends.

The boarding school of which Rodney was, as his friend expressed
himself, a star pupil, was situated about fifty miles from the city of
New York. It was under the charge of Dr. Sampson, a tall, thin man
of fair scholarship, keenly alive to his own interest, who showed
partiality for his richer pupils, and whenever he had occasion to
censure bore most heavily upon boys like David Hull, who was poor.

Rodney occupied alone the finest room in the school. There was a great
contrast between his comfortable quarters and the extremely plain
dormitories occupied by less favored pupils.

In the case of some boys the favoritism of the teacher would have led
them to put on airs, and made them unpopular with their school
fellows. But Rodney had too noble a nature to be influenced by such
considerations. He enjoyed his comfortable room, but treated his school
fellows with a frank cordiality that made him a general favorite.

After David left his room Rodney sat down to prepare a lesson in Cicero,
when he was interrupted by the entrance through the half open door of a
younger boy.

"Rodney," he said, "the doctor would like to see you in his office."

"Very well, Brauner, I will go down at once."

He put aside his book and went down to the office of Dr. Sampson on the
first floor.

The doctor was sitting at his desk. He turned slightly as Rodney
entered.

"Take a seat, Ropes," he said curtly.

His tone was so different from his usual cordiality that Rodney was
somewhat surprised.

"Am I in disgrace?" he asked himself. "Dr. Sampson doesn't seem as
friendly as usual."

After a brief interval Dr. Sampson wheeled round in his office chair.

"I have a letter for you from your guardian, Ropes," he said. "Here it
is. Do me the favor to read it