True, most of the fellows might be poor--which, of course, was highly reprehensible; and some of them might not be connected with the nobility, which showed a great lack of proper feeling on their part.

But as a rule they held up their heads and seemed to think very well of themselves and one another; while their dress, if it was not in every case as fashionable as that of the temporary owner of Fisher minor's half-crown, was at least passably well fitting.
Fisher minor, for all his doubts about the company he was in, could not help half envying these fellows, as he saw with what glee and self- satisfaction they entered into their own at Wakefield's.

They were all so glad to be back, to see again the picture of Cain and Abel on the wall, to scramble for the corner seat in the ingle-bench, to hear the well-known creak on the middle landing, to catch the imperturbable tick of the dormitory clock, to see the top of Hawk's Pike looming out, down the valley, clear and sharp in the falling light.
Fisher minor and Ashby, as they sat dismally and watched all the fun, wondered if the time would ever come when they would feel as much at home as all this.

It was a stretch of imagination beyond their present capacity.
To their alarm, Master Wally Wheatfield presently recognised them from across the room, and came over patronisingly to where they sat.
"Hullo, new kids! thinking of your mas, and the rocking-horses, and Nurse Jane, and all that?
Never mind, have a good blub, it'll do you good." Considering how near, in strict secrecy, both the young gentlemen addressed were to the condition indicated by the genial twin, this exhortation was not exactly kind.
They tried to look as if they did not mind it, and Fisher minor naturally did his best to appear knowing.
"I don't mind," said he, with a snigger; "they're all milksops at home.
I'd sooner be here." "I wouldn't," put in the sturdy Ashby.

"I think it's horrid not to see a face you know." "There you are; what did I say! Screaming for his mammy," gibed Wally.
"And if I was," retorted Master Ashby, warming up, "she's a lot better worth it than yours, so now!" Master Wally naturally fired up at this.