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"Well, Verny," he said, "have you been getting those pretty sea-anemones? come here and show me them. Ah, I declare you've got one of those famous white plumosa fellows among them. What a lucky little chap you are!" Vernon was delighted. "Mind you take care of them," said Russell. "Where did you find them?" "I have been down the shore getting them." "And have you had a pleasant morning?"
He threw his arms round his brother's neck, and said, "We will both go with you, Verny, next half holiday." "O, thank you, Eric," said his brother; and the two schoolboys ran out.
At last a momentary energy returned; his eyes were lifted to the gloaming heaven where a few stars had already begun to shine, and a bright look illuminated his countenance. They listened deeply "Yes, mother," he murmured, in broken tones, "forgiven now, for Christ's dear sake. O thou merciful God! Yes, there they are, and we shall meet again. Verny oh, happy, happy at last too happy!"
But peace did not remain long in Eric's heart; each well-remembered landmark filled his soul with recollections of the days when he had returned from school, oh! how differently; and of the last time when he had come home with Vernon by his side. "Oh Verny, Verny, noble little Verny, would to God that I were with you now.
I must climb up again to reconnoitre if there isn't a better dodge for getting at it." He reached the top, and, looking down, saw a plan of reaching the ledge which promised more hope of success. "You'd better give it up, Verny," said Wright. "I'm sure it's harder than we fancied, I couldn't manage it, I know." "O no, Wright, never say die.
"May I come in? not if it bothers you, Eric," he said, gently. "Oh, Verny, I didn't know it was you; I thought it would be Wildney. You never come now." The little boy came in, and his pleading look seemed to say, "Whose fault is that?" "Come here, Verny;" and Eric drew him towards him, and put him on his knee, while the tears trembled large and luminous in the child's eyes.
"Yes, Russell, thank you. Only it is rather dull being always by myself, and Eric never comes with me now." "Naughty Eric," said Russell, playfully. "Never mind, Verny; you and I will cut him, and go by ourselves." Eric had stood by during the conversation, and the contrast of Russel's unselfish kindness with his own harsh want of sympathy, struck him.
But you are resting, Verny, in the green grave by Russell's side, and I oh God, be merciful to me now!" It was evening, and the stars came out and shone by hundreds, and Eric walked on by the moonlight. But the exertion had brought on the pain in his knee, and he had to sit down a long time by the road-side to rest.
"I have caught such a lot of pretty sea anemones, Eric," said little Vernon Williams, as his brother strolled in after morning school; "I wish you would come and look at them." "O, I can't come now, Verny; I am going out to play cricket with some fellows directly." "But it won't take you a minute; do come." "What a little bore you are. Where are the things?"
"Verny, Verny," he said, as the boy came up and affectionately took his hand, "it was you who lost me that fight." "Oh, but, Eric, you were fighting with Montagu." "Don't you remember the days, Eric," he continued, "when we were home-boarders, and how kind Monty used to be to me even then, and how mother liked him, and thought him quite your truest friend, except poor Russell?" "I do, indeed.
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