select course of Blair's Grave, Young's Night Thoughts, and Drelincourt
on Death."

To his surprise Eric's head was still bent, and, at last, he heard a
deep suppressed sigh.

"My dear child, what is the matter with you?" said Russell,
affectionately taking his hand, "surely you're not offended at my
nonsense?"

Eric had not liked to speak while Montagu was by, but now he gulped down
his rising emotion, and briefly told them of Bull's vile words the night
before. They listened in silence.

"I knew it must come, Eric," said Russell at last, "and I am so sorry
you didn't speak at the time."

"Do the fellows ever talk in that way in either of your dormitories?"
asked Eric.

"No," said Russell.

"Very little," said Montagu.

A pause followed, during which all three plucked the grass and looked
away.

"Let me tell you," said Russell solemnly; "my father (he is dead now you
know, Eric), when I was sent to school, warned me of this kind of thing.
I had been brought up in utter ignorance of such coarse knowledge as is