When the boys arrived at Mr. Merton's they were introduced into a
crowded drawing-room full of the most elegant company which that part of
the country afforded, among whom were several young gentlemen and ladies
of different ages who had been purposely invited to spend their holidays
with Master Merton.

As soon as Master Merton entered, every tongue was let loose in his
praise. As to Harry, he had the good fortune to be taken notice of by
nobody except Mr. Merton, who received him with great cordiality, and a
Miss Simmons, who had been brought up by an uncle who endeavoured, by a
hardy and robust education, to prevent in his niece that sickly delicacy
which is considered so great an ornament in fashionable life. Harry and
this young lady became great friends, though to a considerable extent
they were the butt of the others.

A lady who sat by Mrs. Merton, asked her, in a whisper loud enough to be
heard all over the room, whether (indicating Harry) that was the little
ploughboy whom she had heard Mr. Barlow was attempting to bring up like
a gentleman? Mrs. Merton answered "Yes." "Indeed," said the lady, "I
should have thought so by his plebeian look and vulgar air. But I
wonder, my dear madam, that you will suffer your son, who, without
flattery, is one of the most accomplished children I ever saw, with
quite the air of fashion, to keep such company."

Whilst Tommy was being estranged from his friend by a constant
succession of flattery from his elders and the example of others of his
own age, Harry, who never said any of those brilliant things that render
a boy the darling of the ladies, and who had not that vivacity, or
rather impertinence, which frequently passes for wit with superficial