John’s Troubles. 45

 

A little consoled by these assurances, Ste-
phen found spirit to rise and follow Johnnie
out of doors, to help in his various tasks.
But he was very silent and sober again, and
so he showed himself at breakfast, and during
their walk to school.

“Oh, Johnnie!” he said in a whisper as they
reached it, “how I wish I was not going in!”

Johnnie laughed, and told him not to mind.
The bell was ringing loudly; a number of
boys were running in; the brothers joined
them ; and what with the clatter of feet, the
buzz of voices, and the clanging of the bell,
Stephen felt quite bewildered, but his brother
pulled him by the sleeve, and led him up
the school. “There’s Mr. Willis,” whispered
Johnnie, and Stephen scarcely found courage
to look up at a gentleman who was standing
by a desk at the upper end of the room—a
gentleman with a bald head and a beard, a
kind, thoughtful face, with grave quick eyes
that seemed to see every part of the room at
once. This was Mr. Willis.

“This is my brother, sir,’ said Johnnie,
presenting him.

“Your brother,” the master returned, in a
low, clear voice. “A younger brother, I
suppose.”