the daisy chain, or aspirations-第54章

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Margaret？〃

〃He　isthat　he　is；〃　said　Margaret；　〃and；　indeed；　it　is　most
beautiful　to　see　how　what　has　happened　has　brought　him　at　once　to
what　she　wished；　when；　perhaps；　otherwise　it　would　have　been　a　work
of　long　time。〃

Ethel　was　entirely　consoled。　　Flora　thought　of　the　words　〃tete
exaltee〃　and　considered　herself　alone　to　have　sober　sense　enough　to
see　things　in　a　true　lightnot　that　she　went　the　length　of　believing
that　Norman　had　any　underhand　motives；　but　she　thought　it　very
discreet　in　her　to　think　a　prudent　father　would　not　have　been
satisfied　with　such　a　desire　to　avoid　investigation。

Dr。　May　would　not　trust　himself　to　enter　on　the　subject　with　Dr。
Hoxton　in　conversation；　he　only　wrote　a　note。


　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃June　16th。

〃Dear　Dr。　Hoxton；

〃My　son　has　appealed　to　me　to　confirm　his　account　of　himself　on
Thursday　evening　last。　　I　therefore　distinctly　state　that　he　came　in
at　half…past　nine；　with　his　hands　full　of　plants　from　the　river；　and
that　he　then　went　out　again；　by　my　desire；　to　look　for　his　little
brother。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Yours　very　truly；
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　R。　May。〃


A　long　answer　came　in　return；　disclaiming　all　doubt　of　Norman's
veracity；　and　explaining　Dr。　Hoxton's　grounds　for　having　degraded
him。　　There　had　been　misconduct　in　the　school；　he　said；　for　some　time
past；　and　he　did　not　consider　that　it　was　any　very　serious　reproach；
to　a　boy　of　Norman's　age；　that　he　had　not　had　weight　enough　to　keep
up　his　authority；　and　had　been　carried　away　by　the　general　feeling。
It　had　been　necessary　to　make　an　example　for　the　sake　of　principle；
and　though　very　sorry　it　should　have　fallen　on　one　of　such　high
promise　and　general　good　conduct；　Dr。　Hoxton　trusted　that　it　would
not　be　any　permanent　injury　to　his　prospects；　as　his　talents　had
raised　him　to　his　former　position　in　the　school　so　much　earlier　than
usual。

〃The　fact　was；〃　said　Dr。　May；　〃that　old　Hoxton　did　it　in　a　passion；
feeling　he　must　punish　somebody；　and　now；　finding　there's　no　uproar
about　it；　he　begins　to　be　sorry。　　I　won't　answer　this　note。　　I'll
stop　after　church　to…morrow　and　shake　hands；　and　that　will　show　we
don't　bear　malice。〃

What　Mr。　Wilmot　might　think　was　felt　by　all　to　affect　them　more
nearly。　　Ethel　wanted　to　hear　that　he　declared　his　complete
conviction　of　Norman's　innocence；　and　was　disappointed　to　find　that
he　did　not　once　allude　to　the　subject。　　She　was　only　consoled　by
Margaret's　conjecture　that；　perhaps；　he　thought　the　headmaster　had
been　hasty；　and　could　not　venture　to　say　sohe　saw　into　people's
characters；　and　it　was　notorious　that　it　was　just　what　Dr。　Hoxton　did
not。

Tom　had　spent　the　chief　of　that　Saturday　in　reading　a　novel　borrowed
from　Axworthy；　keeping　out　of　sight　of　every　one。　　All　Sunday　he
avoided　Norman　more　scrupulously　than　ever；　and　again　on　Monday。
That　day　was　a　severe　trial　to　Norman；　the　taking　the　lower　place；
and　the　sense　that；　excel　as　much　as　ever　he　might　in　his　studies；　it
would　not　avail　to　restore　him　to　his　former　place；　were　more
unpleasant；　when　it　came　to　the　point；　than　he　had　expected。

He　saw　the　cold　manner；　so　different　from　the　readiness　with　which
his　tasks　had　always　been　met；　certain　as　they　were　of　being　well
done；　he　found　himself　among　the　common　herd　whom　he　had　passed　so
triumphantly；　and；　for　a　little　while；　he　had　no　heart　to　exert
himself。

This　was　conquered　by　the　strong　will　and　self…rebuke　for　having
merely　craved　for　applause；　but；　in　the　play…ground；　he　found　himself
still　alone…the　other　boys　who　had　been　raised　by　his　fall　shrank
from　intercourse　with　one　whom　they　had　injured　by　their　silence；　and
the　Andersons；　who　were　wont　to　say　the　Mays　carried　every　tale　home；
and　who　still　almost　expected　interference　from　Dr。　May；　hardly
believed　their　victory　secure；　and　the　younger　one；　at　least；　talked
spitefully；　and　triumphed　in　the　result　of　May's　meddling　and
troublesome　over　strictness。　　〃Such　prigs　always　come　to　a　downfall；〃
was　the　sentiment。

Norman　found　himself　left　out　of　everything；　and　stood　dispirited　and
weary　on　the　bank　of　the　river；　wishing　for　Harry；　wishing　for
Cheviot；　wishing　that　he　had　been　able　to　make　a　friend　who　would
stand　by　him；　thinking　it　could　not　be　worse　if　he　had　let　his　father
reinstate　himand　a　sensation　of　loneliness　and　injustice　hung　heavy
at　his　heart。

His　first　interruption　was　a　merry　voice。　〃I　say；　June；　there's　no
end　of　river　cray…fish　under　that　bank；〃　and　Larkins's　droll　face　was
looking　up　at　him；　from　that　favourite　position；　half　stooping；　his
hands　on　his　knees；　his　expression　of　fun　trying　to　conceal　his　real
anxiety　and　sympathy。

Norman　turned　and　smiled；　and　looked　for　the　cray…fish；　and；　at　the
same　time；　became　aware　of　Hector　Ernescliffe；　watching　for　an
opportunity　to　say；　〃I　have　a　letter　from　Alan。〃　　He　knew　they
wanted；　as　far　as　little　boys　ventured　to　seek　after　one　so　much
their　elder；　to　show　themselves　his　friends；　and　he　was　grateful；　he
roused　himself　to　hear　about　Alan's　news；　and　found　it　was　important…
…his　great　friend；　Captain　Gordon；　had　got　a　ship；　and　hoped　to　be
able　to　take　him；　and　this　might　lead　to　Harry's　going　with　him。
Then　Norman　applied　himself　to　the　capture　of　cray…fish；　and　Larkins
grew　so　full　of　fun　and　drollery；　that　the　hours　of　recreation　passed
off　less　gloomily　than　they　had　begun。

If　only　his　own　brother　would　have　been　his　adherent！　　But　he　saw
almost　nothing　of　Tom。　　Day　after　day　he　missed　him；　he　was　off
before　him　in　going　and　returning　from　school；　and　when　he　caught　a
sight　of　his　face；　it　looked　harassed；　pale；　and　miserable；　stealing
anxious　glances　after　him；　yet　shrinking　from　his　eye。　　But；　at　the
same　time；　Norman　did　not　see　him　mingling　with　his　former　friends；
and　could　not　make　out　how　he　disposed　of　himself。　　To　be　thus
continually　shunned　by　his　own　brother；　even　when　the　general　mass
were　returning　to　ordinary　terms；　became　so　painful；　that　Norman　was
always　on　the　watch　to　seek　for　one　more　conversation　with　him。

He　caught　him　at　last　in　the　evening；　just　as　they　were　going　home。
〃Tom；　why　are　you　running　away？　　Come　with　me；〃　said　he
authoritatively；　and　Tom　obeyed　in　trembling。

Norman　led　the　way　to　the　meads。　〃Tom；〃　said　he；　〃do　not　let　this　go
on。　　Why　do　you　serve　me　in　this　way？　　You　surely　need　not　turn
against　me；〃　he　said；　with　pleading　melancholy　in　his　voice。

It　was　not　needed。　　Tom　had　flung　himself　upon　the　grass；　and　was　in
an　agony　of　crying；　even　before　he　had　finished　the　words。

〃Tom；　Tom！　what　is　the　matter？　　Have　they　been　bullying　you　again？
Look　up；　and　tell　mewhat　is　it？　　You　know　I　can　stand　by　you　still；
if　you'll　only　let　me；〃　and　Norman　sat　by　him　on　the　grass；　and
raised　his　face　by　a　sort　of　force；　but　the　kind　words　only　brought
more　piteous　sobs。　　It　was　a　long　time　before　they　diminished　enough
to　let　him　utter　a　word；　but　Norman　went　on　patiently　consoling　and
inquiring；　sure；　at　least；　that　here　had　broken　down　the　sullenness
that　had　always　repelled　him。

At　last　came　the　words；　　〃Oh！　I　cannot　bear　it。　　It　is　all　my　doing！〃

〃Whathowyou　don't　mean　this　happening　to　me？　　It　is　not　your
doing；　Augustwhat　fancy　is　this？〃

〃Oh；　yes；　it　is；〃　said　Tom；　his　voice　cut　short　by　gasps；　the　remains
of　the　sobs。　　〃They　would　not　hear　me！　　I　tried　to　tell　them　how　you
told　them　not；　and　sent　them　home。　　I　tried　to　tell　about
Ballhatchetbutbut　they　wouldn'tthey　said　if　it　had　been　Harry；
they　would　have　attendedbut　they　would　not　believe　me。　　Oh！　if
Harry　was　but　here！〃

〃I　wish　he　was；〃　said　Norman；　from　the　bottom　of　his　heart；　〃but　you
see；　Tom；　if　this　sets　you　on　always　telling　truth；　I　shan't　think
any　great　harm　done。〃

A　fresh　burst；　〃Oh；　they　are　all　so　glad！　　They　say　such　things！　　And
the　Mays　were　never　in　disgrace　before。　　Oh；　Norman；　Norman！〃

〃Never　mind　about　that〃began　Norman。

〃But　you　would　mind；〃　broke　in　the　boy　passionately；　〃if　you　knew
what　Anderson　junior　and　Axworthy　say！　　They　say　it　serves　you　right；
and　they　were　going　to　send　me　to　old　Ballhatchet's　to　get　some　of
his　stuff　to　drink　confusion　to　the　mouth　of　June；　and　all
pragmatical　meddlers；　and　when　I　said　I　could　not　go；　they　vowed　if　I
did　not；　I　should　eat　the　corks　for　them！　　And　Anderson　junior　called
me　names；　and　licked　me。　　Look　there。〃　　He　showed　a　dark　blue…and…red
stripe　raised　on　the　palm　of　his　hand。　　〃I　could　not　write　well　for
it　these　three　days；　and　Hawes　gave　me　double　copies！〃

〃The　cowardly　fellows！〃　exclaimed　Norman　indignantly。　　〃But
you　did　not　go？〃

〃No；　Anderson　senior　stopped　them。　　He　said　he　would　not　have　the
Ballhatchet　business　begin　again。〃

〃That　is　one　comfort；〃　said　Norman。　〃I　see　he　does　not　dare　not　to
keep　order。　　But　if　you'll　only　stay　with　me；　August；　I'll　take　care
they　don't　hurt　you。〃

〃Oh；　June！　June！〃　and　he　threw　himself　across　his　kind　brother。　　〃I
am　so　very　sorry！　　Oh！　to　see　you　put　downand　hear　them！　　And　you
to　lose　the　scholarship！　　Oh；　dear！　oh；　dear！　and　be　in　disgrace　with
them　all！〃

〃But；　Tom；　do　cheer　up。　　It　is　nothing　to　be　in　such　distress　at。
Papa　knows　all　about　it；　and　while　he　does；　I　don't　care　half　so
much。〃

〃Oh；　I　wishI　wish〃

〃You　see；　Tom；〃　said　Norman；　〃after　all；　though　it　is　very　kind　of
you　to　be　sorry　for　not　being　able　to　get　me　out　of　this　scrape；　the
thing　one　wants　you　to　be　sorry　about　is　your　own　affair。〃

〃I　wish　I　had　never　come　to　school！　　I　wish　Anderson　would　leave　me
alone！　　It　is　all　his　fault！　　A　mean…spirited；　skulking；　bullying〃

〃Hush；　hush；　Tom；　he　is　bad　enough；　but　now　you　know　what　he　is；　you
can　keep　clear　of　him　for　the　future。　　Now　listen。　　You　and　I　will
make　a　fresh　start；　and　try　if　we　can't　get　the　Mays　to　be　looked　on
as　they　were　when　Harry　was　here。　　Let　us　mind　the　rules；　and　get
into　no　more　mischief。〃

〃You'll　keep　me　from　Ned　Anderson　and　Axworthy？〃　whispered
Tom。

〃Yes；　that　I　will。　　And　you'll　try　and　speak　the　truth；　and　be
straightforward？〃

〃I　will；　I　will；〃　said　Tom；　worn　out　in　spirits　by　his　long　bondage；
and　glad　to　catch　at　the　hope　of　relief　and　protection。

〃Then　let　us　come　home；〃　and　Tom　put　his　hand　into　his　brother's；　as
a　few　weeks　back　would　have　seemed　most　unworthy　of　schoolboy
dignity。

Thenceforth　Tom　was　devoted　to　Norman；　and　kept　close　to　him；　sure
that　the　instant　he　was　from　under　his　wing　his　former　companions
would　fall　on　him　to　revenge　his　defection；　but　clinging　to　him　also
from　real　affection　and　gratitude。　　Indolence　and　timidity　were　the
true　root　of　what　had　for　a　time　seemed　like　a　positively　bad
disposition；　beneath；　there　was　a　warm　heart；　and　sense　of　right；
which　had　been　almost　stifled　for　the　time；　in　the　desire；　from
moment　to　moment；　to　avoid　present　trouble　or　fear。　　Under　Norman's
care　his　better　self　had　freer　scope；　he　was　guarded　from　immediate
terror；　and　kept　from　the　suggestions　of　the　worse　sort　of　boys；　as
much　as　was　in　his　brother's　power；　and　the　looks　they　cast　towards
him；　and　the　sly　torments　they　attempted　to　inflict；　by　no　means
invited　him　back　to　them。　　The　lessons；　where　he　had　a　long
inveterate　habit　of　shuffling；　came　under　Norman