The best-disposed of the upper boys disliked all this very much, and the sixth and fifth forms began to be split up into two main parties--the one, headed by Eric, and, to a much less degree, by Duncan, who devoted themselves to the games and diversions of the school, and troubled themselves comparatively little about anything else; the other, headed by Montagu, who took the lead in intellectual pursuits, and endeavored, by every means in their power, to counteract the pernicious effects of the spreading immorality. And so at Roslyn, owing mainly to the wickedness of one depraved boy, and the weak fear of man which actuated others, all was disunion, misery, and deterioration. The community which had once been peaceful, happy, and united, was filled with violent jealousy and heart-burnings; every boy’s hand seemed to be against his neighbor; lying, bad language, dishonesty, grew fearfully rife, and the few who, like Owen and Montagu, remained uncontaminated by the general mischief, walked alone and despondent amid their uncongenial and degraded schoolfellow. CHAPTER II WILDNEY “That punishment’s the best to bear That follows soonest on the sin, And guilt’s a game where losers fare Better than those who seem to win.” COV. PATMORE. At the beginning of this quarter Eric and Duncan had succeeded to one of the studies, and Owen shared with Montagu the one which adjoined it. Latterly the small boys, in the universal spirit of disobedience, had frequented the studies a good deal, but it was generally understood that no study-boy might ask any one to be a regular visitor to his room without the leave of its other occupant. So one evening Duncan said to Eric, “Do you know little Wildney?” “You mean that jolly fearless-looking little fellow, with, the great black eyes, who came at the beginning of the quarter? No, I don’t know him.” “Well, he’s a very nice little fellow; a regular devil” “Humph!” said Eric, laughing; “I shall bring out a new Duncan-dictionary, in which. [Greek: chezchochezons chos] = very nice little fellow.” “Pooh!” said Duncan; “you know well enough what I mean; I mean he’s not one of your white-faced, lily-hearted new boys, but has lots of fun in him.” “Well, what of him?” “Have you any objection to my asking him to sit in the study when he likes?” “Not the least in the world.” “Very well, I’ll go and fetch him now. But wouldn’t you like to ask your brother Vernon to come in too whenever he’s inclined?” “No,” said Eric, “I don’t care. He does come every now and then.” Duncan went to fetch Wildney, and while he was gone, Brie was thinking _why_ he didn’t give Vernon the free run of his study. He would not admit to himself the true reason, which was, that he had too much ground to fear that his example would do his brother no good.