asure to him to have
worked with him during the holidays. But it was quite out of the
question. He must tell Lord Carstairs that it was so, and must at the
moment give such explanation as might occur to him. He almost felt that
in giving that explanation he would be tempted to tell his whole story.

But the Doctor met him before he had an opportunity of speaking to Lord
Carstairs. The Doctor met him, and at once produced the Earl's letter.
"I have heard from Lord Bracy, and you, I suppose, have had a letter too,"
said the Doctor. His manner was easy and kind, as though no disagreeable
communication was due to be made on the following day.

"Yes," said Mr. Peacocke. "I have had a letter."

"Well?"

"His lordship has asked me to go to Carstairs for the holidays; but it is
out of the question."

"It would do Carstairs all the good in the world," said the Doctor; "and I
do not see why you should not have a pleasant visit and earn twenty-five
pounds at the same time."

"It is quite out of the question."

"I suppose you would not like to leave Mrs. Peacocke," said the Doctor.

"Either to leave her or to take her! To go myself under any circumstances
would be altogether out of the question. I shall come to you to-morrow,
Doctor, as I said I would last Saturday. What hour will suit you?" Then
the Doctor named an hour in the afternoon, and knew that the revelation
was to be made to him. He felt, too, that that revelation would lead to
the final departure of Mr. and Mrs. Peacocke from Bowick, and he was
unhappy in his heart. Though he was anxious for his school, he was
anxious also for his friend. There was a gratification in the feeling
that Lord Bracy thought so much of his assistant,--or would have been but
for this wretched mystery!

"No," said Mr. Peacocke to the lad. "I regret to say that I cannot go. I
will tell you why, perhaps, another time, but not now. I have written to
your father by this post, because it is right that he should be told at
once. I have been obliged to say that it is impossible."

"I am so sorry! I should so much have liked it. My father would have
done everything to make you comfortable, and so would mamma." In answer
to all this Mr. Peacocke could only say that it was impossible. This
happened on Friday afternoon, Friday being a day on which the school was
always very busy. There was no time for the doing of anything special, as
there would be on the following day, wh