r to Rollitt," said Fisher minor.

"That's just what I am, from Dangle. I say, you may as well give him
the two. No answer. Ta-ta." And he thrust his missive into Fisher's
hands.

It was just as easy to hand Rollitt two letters as one. So Fisher
proceeded on his errand.

Rollitt was writing a letter, which he hurriedly put aside when the
messenger entered.

"Get out!" he said, looking up. But when he saw who the intruder was
his tone relaxed a little.

"Fisher minor? Better?"

"Yes, thanks. I had a cold, but that was all. I say, Rollitt, you were
an awful brick helping us down that night."

"Nonsense!" said Rollitt, pulling out his paper and going on writing.

"Here are two letters for you," said the boy.

Rollitt motioned him gruffly to lay them down on the table and depart--
which he did gladly.

Rollitt went on writing. It may be no breach of confidence if we allow
the reader to glance over his shoulder.

"Dear Mother,--You ask me if I am happy, and how I like school. I am
not happy, and I hate Fellsgarth. Nobody cares about me. It's no use
my trying to be what I am not. I am not a gentleman, and I hope I never
shall be, if the fellows here are specimens. Just because I'm poor they
have nothing to do with me. I don't complain of that. I prefer it.
I'd much sooner be working for my living like father than wasting my
time at a place like this. If those ladies would give the money they
spend on keeping me here to you and father it would do much more good.
There is only one boy I care about here, and he is a little fellow who
was kind to me of his own accord, and doesn't fight shy of me because
I've no money and live on charity. I would ever so much rather come and
live at home at the end of this term. It would be even worse at Oxford
than it is here; and the ladies, if they want to be kind, will let me
leave. I know you and father want me to become a grand gentleman. I
would a hundred times rather be what I really am, and live at home with
you.

"Your loving son,--

"Alfred."

This dismal letter concluded, the writer produced his books and began
work, heedless of the two letters on his table, which lay all day where
Fisher minor had deposited them.

He went in and out to class, and those who watched him saw no signs of
trouble in his demeanour. In the afternoon he stole up to the river
with his rod; and any one who had seen him land his three-pounder, and
leave it, as he left