s on him and withered him. They
spoke ceremoniously in the language in which the grand old ladies used
to speak in the old story-books. If he chanced to speak, they sat erect
in their chairs listening to him with all their ears, looking at him
with all their eyes, freezing him with all their faintest of smiles. No
one could sit there under their inspection without feeling that every
word and look and gesture was being observed, probably with a view to
recording it in a letter home; and the idea of being at one's ease with
them in the room was about as preposterous as the idea of sleeping
comfortably on a wasp's nest!

And yet, if truth were known, these good females meant well. They had
their own ideas of what boys should be (neither having any of their
own), and fondly imagined that during these occasional ceremonies in the
doctor's parlour they were rendering valuable assistance in the "dear
boy's" education by giving him some idea of the manners and charms of
polite society!

It was in such genial company that Riddell, the head classic of
Willoughby, was invited to bask for a short time on the evening of the
day before the appointment of the new captain. He had been there once
before when his father and mother had come over to visit him. And even
with their presence as a set-off, the evening had been one of the most
awful experiences of his life. But now that he was to go all alone to
partake of state tea with those two, this shy awkward boy felt about as
cheerful as if he had been walking helplessly into a lion's den.

"Well, Riddell," said the doctor, pleasantly, as after long hesitation
the guest at last ventured to arrive, "how are you? My dear, this is
Riddell, whom I believe you have seen before. Miss Stringer too I think
you met."

Riddell coloured deeply and shivered inwardly as he advanced first to
one lady then to the other and solemnly shook hands.

"I trust your parents are in good health, Mr Riddell," said Mrs
Patrick in her most precise tones.

"Very well indeed, thank you," replied Riddell; "that is," he added,
correcting himself suddenly, "my mother is very poorly, thank you."

"I regret to hear you say so," said Mrs Patrick, transfixing the
unhappy youth with her eyes. "I trust her indisposition is not of a
serious character."

"I hope she will, thank you, ma'am," replied Riddell, who somehow
fancied his hostess had said, or had been going to say, she hoped his
mother would soon r