"Come close to me, Bob, and hold my cock, will you? Then I shall go to sleep all right," I said. He obeyed my instructions, somewhat soothing the warmth of the emotions which had taken hold of me, and after a time I sank into a calm slumber.

Neither of us awoke until we were called next morning, and we then both got up at once, dressing ourselves as quickly as possible. We were busily occupied after breakfast in getting ready for our departure, and at last, after a very kindly farewell from Lady Florence, drove off to me railway station, whither Colonel Rutherford accompanied us. I felt some regret at so soon having to leave the pleasant household, but amid the excitement of the journey this was soon forgotten, while the arrival at the school soon supplied plenty to occupy my attention,

It was only a small private establishment, there being but a score or so of pupils, who were of varying ages from ten or eleven upwards, Bob being the eldest; it was, however, very select, having a reputation in this respect; The Revd John Percival was the principal, and there were two assistant masters, named Ferguson and Chadwick.

This being the opening day of term, there was no work in particular to be done; and I was mostly occupied in making acquaintance with my new comrades, who behaved very well to me, due no doubt in a great degree to my position as a friend of the senior boy. Bob busied himself in showing me over the school and playground, and introducing me all round, so I soon came to the conclusion that school would not prove at all ac bad place, and felt sure, that I should be happy there.

One thing, however, struck me, and that was the easy air with which some of the boys used words, many of which I did not know, but others I recognised as having heard from the menservants at home sometimes, and which I knew were bad, being what are called "swear words"; I had once when very young repeated such a word in the presence of my father, who was extremely angry, asking me where I had heard it; and when I said that a groom had used the word in front of me he had the man in his study and severely reprimanded him, at the same time forbidding me to go to the stables any more.