'Yes, I am getting ready for Cyril this evening; but I am too tired to
do more.'

And Kester pushed away his papers with a movement that betrayed latent
irritability. Michael knew that sign of weakness well.

'That is right; shut up your books,' he said with ready kindness. 'Never
work when you are tired: it is bad economy; it is using up one's stock
of fuel too recklessly--lighting a furnace to cook a potato. The results
are not worth it. Tired work is bad work--I have proved it.'

'I am generally tired,' returned Kester with a sigh. And it was sad to
see the gravity that crept over the young face. 'It does not do to think
too much of one's feelings; one has just to bear it, you know. I am
ignorant enough as it is, and I must learn; I will learn!' setting his
teeth hard.

Michael shot a quick glance at the lad; then he turned over the leaves
of the book next him for a moment in silence.

'I must know more of this fellow,' he thought; 'Audrey is right; she is
generally right about people.' Then in his ordinary quiet tone:

'I wonder your brother finds time for private tuition. I live at the
lower school, you know, and so I understand all about the junior
master's work. Mr. Blake has his evenings free generally, but there is
dormitory work and----'

'Cyril says he will always give me an hour and a half,' interrupted
Kester eagerly. 'Of course, it is not good for him to have any more
teaching; but he says he would hate to see me grow up a
dunce--and--and'--swallowing down some secret emotion--' I think it
would break my heart not to know things.'

'And you want to be a classical scholar?' in the same grave tones.

'I want to learn everything;' and here there was a sudden kindling in
the boy's eyes. 'I must do something, and my lameness hinders everything
but that--perhaps, if I learn plenty of Latin and Greek, I may be able
to help Cyril one day. We often talk about it, and even mother thinks it
is a good plan. One day Cyril hopes to have a school of his own--when he
is older, you know--and then I could take the younger boys off his hands
and save him the cost of an usher; don't you think that would be
possible?' looking anxiously at Michael, for somehow those steady clear
eyes seemed so thoroughly to comprehend him.

'I think it an excellent plan,' retained Michael slowly; "knowledge is
power"--we all know that. Do you know,' drawling out his words a little,
'that I have been working at Greek, too, for the la