Now I have hardly got a lark afloat before I'm sick of it.

I wish you'd tell me two things--first, why are you so grave to-night?
and, secondly, what made you take up our young friend's cause so warmly ?" "One answer will serve both questions," said Mr.Lindsay.

"The truth is, old fellow, our young friend--[and Bill felt certain that the 'young friend' was himself]--has a look of a little chap I was chum with at school--Regy Gordon.

I don't talk about it often, for I can't very well; but he was killed--think of it, man!--_killed_ by such a piece of bullying as this! When they found him, he was quite stiff and speechless; he lived a few hours, but he only said two words--my name, and amen." "Amen ?" said Master Arthur, inquiringly.
"Well, you see when the surgeon said it was no go, they telegraphed for his friends; but they were a long way off, and he was sinking rapidly; and the old Doctor was in the room, half heart-broken, and he saw Gordon move his hands together, and he said, 'If any boy knows what prayers Gordon minor has been used to say, let him come and say them by him;' and I did.

So I knelt by his bed and said them, the old Doctor kneeling too and sobbing like a child; and when I had done, Regy moved his lips and said 'Amen;' and then he said 'Lindsay!' and smiled, and then--" Master Arthur squeezed his friend's arm tightly, but said nothing, and both the young men were silent; but Bill could not restrain his tears.
It seemed the saddest story he had ever heard, and Mr.Lindsay's hand upon his shoulder shook so intolerably whilst he was speaking, that he had taken it away, which made Bill worse, and he fairly sobbed.
"What are you blubbering about, young 'un ?" said Mr.Lindsay.