CHAPTER VII.
The next Saturday afternoon proving unusually fine, the community at Ashfield House sallied forth to enjoy their half-holiday on the downs.
A few of the seniors had received permission to pay a visit to Bristol, and not a small party was arranged for a good game of cricket.

Among the latter was Reginald Mortimer, whose strong arm and swift foot were deemed almost indispensable on such occasions.

As he rushed out of the playground gates, bat in hand, accompanied by Meredith, he overtook his brother, who had discovered a poem unknown to him in _Coleridge's Ancient Mariner_, and was anticipating a pleasant mental feast in its perusal.
"Louis, you lazy fellow," cried Reginald, good-temperedly, "you shan't read this fine afternoon--come, join us." "I don't play cricket, I have not learned," replied Louis.
"And you never will," rejoined Reginald, "if you don't make a beginning: I'll teach you--now put away that stupid book." "_Stupid!_" said Louis.

"It's Coleridge, that mamma promised to read to us." "I hate poetry," exclaimed Reginald; "I wonder how anybody can read such stuff.

Give me the book, Louis, and come along." "No, thank you, I'd rather not." "What a donkey you are!" said Meredith: "why don't you learn ?" "Perhaps my reputation may be the safer for not divulging my reasons," said Louis, archly: "it is sufficient for present purposes that I had rather not." "_Rather not_--_rather not_," echoed Meredith: "like one of your sensible reasons." "He has refused to give them, so you cannot call that his reason, Meredith," remarked Reginald; "but let us be off, as Louis won't come." Away they ran, and after looking at them for a minute, Louis turned off his own way, but it was destined that he should not read the _Ancient Mariner_ that day, for he was presently interrupted by little Alfred Hamilton, who pounced upon him full of joy.
"Louis," he cried, "I am so glad to speak to you! I don't know how it is that I have not been able to speak to you lately: I half thought Edward did not like it, but he asked me to-day why I did not come to you now." "Did he ?" exclaimed Louis, with joyful surprise; "I am very glad you are come.