Alaric, indeed, was indifferent about it.

He had no wish to triumph over Harry, but he had an object to pursue, and he was not the man to allow himself to be diverted from it by any one's caprice.
'This trip is a great thing for you,' said Harry.
'Well, I really don't know.

Of course I could not decline it; but on the whole I should be just as well pleased to have been spared.

If I get through it well, why it will be well.

But even that cannot help me at this examination.' 'I don't know that.' 'Why--a week passed in the slush of a Cornish mine won't teach a man algebra.' 'It will give you _prestige_.' 'Then you mean to say the examiners won't examine fairly; well, perhaps so.