strong affections that bound him to his home, though his sojourn
there was so painful. He knew the misery his flight would have been
to me; indeed I took care to let him see it.

And Griffith's return was like a fresh spring wind dispersing
vapours. He had gained an excellent scholarship at Brazenose, and
came home radiant with triumph, cheering us all up, and making a
generous use of his success. He was no letter-writer, and after
learning that the disaster and disgrace were all too certain, he
ignored the whole, and hailed Clarence on his return as if nothing
had happened. As eldest son, and almost a University man, he could
argue with our parents in a manner we never presumed on. At least I
cannot aver what he actually uttered, but probably it was a revised
version of what he thundered forth to me. 'Such nonsense! such a
shame to keep the poor beggar going about with that hang dog look,
as if he had done for himself for life! Why, I've known fellows do
ever so much worse of their own accord, and nothing come of it. If
it was found out, there might be a row and a flogging, and there was
an end of it. As to going about mourning, and keeping the whole
house in doleful dumps, as if there was never to be any good again,
it was utter folly, and so I've told Bill, and papa and mamma, both
of them!'

How this was administered, or how they took it, there is no knowing,
but Griff would neither skate nor go to the theatre, nor to any
other diversion, without his brother; and used much kindly force and
banter to unearth him from his dismal den in the back drawing-room.
He was only let alone when there were engagements with friends, and
indeed, when meetings in the streets took place, by tacit agreement,
Clarence would shrink off in the crowd as if not belonging to his