Hugh, however, was his hero--a kind of demi-god. And truly there was something Greek about the boy--in his singular beauty of person, coupled with his brilliant mental equipment, and above all in the nothing less than Spartan methods with which, in spite of a highly sensitive temperament, he set himself to overcome his handicap of a naturally delicate physique and a bad head for heights. He turned himself out quite an athlete, and actually cured his bad head by a course of walking on giddy heights, preferably roofs--the parapet of the tall four-storied house the children lived in being a favourite training ground. Donald was the apple of his eye, and he was quick to note a certain lack of vitality about the little boy--especially when he was growing fast--and a certain natural timidity. His letters from school are full of messages to and instructions concerning Donald's physical training, and from Sandhurst he would long to "run over and see after his boxing." He called him Don Diego, a name that suited the rather stately little fellow, and he used to fear sometimes that Donald was "getting too polite" and say he must "knock it out of him in the holidays." Needless to say, his handling of him was always very gentle. The other over-vital brother, if a prime amuser, was also a prime tease, and being nearer Donald in age was also much less gentle. Before very long these great personages took themselves off "zum neuen taten." But their Odysseys came home in the shape of letters, which, with their descriptions of strange countries and peoples and records of adventures--often the realization of boyish dreams--and also of difficulties overcome, were well calculated to appeal to Donald's childish imagination, and to increase his admiration for the writers--and also his feeling of impotence, and of the impossibility of being able to follow in the tracks of such giants among men! His mother, however, was his never-failing confidante and friend. His love and admiration for her were unbounded, as for her courage, unselfishness and constant thought for others, more especially for the poor and insignificant among her neighbours. Though the humblest minded of women, she could, when occasion demanded, administer a rebuke with a decision and a fire that must have won the heartfelt admiration of her diffident little son. He was not easily roused himself, but there is one instance of his being so that is eminently characteristic. He had come back from school evidently very perturbed, and at first his sister could get nothing out of him. But at last he flared up. His face reddened, his eyes burned like coals and, in a voice trembling with rage, he said, "---- (naming a school-fellow) talks about things that I won't even _think_!"