"Tea has been ordered for you in Master Power's study," said the footman, as they left the master's house. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. THE GOOD RESOLVE. "Am I my brother's keeper?" Genesis chapter 4, verse 9. "Let's come and see Dubbs before tea," said Walter, on rejoining the other two. "Henderson told me he was ill in bed, poor fellow." They went at once to the cottage, detached from the rest of the school buildings, to which all invalids were removed, and they were allowed to go to Daubeny's room; but although he was expecting their visit he had fallen asleep. They noticed a worn and weary expression upon his countenance, but it was pleasant to look at him; for although he was a very ordinary-looking boy, with somewhat heavy features, yet whatever beauty can be infused into any face by honesty of purpose and innocence of heart, was to be found in his, and you could not speak to Daubeny for five minutes without being attracted by the sense that you were talking to one whose character was singularly free from falsehood or vanity, and singularly unstained by evil thoughts. "There lies one of the best and worthiest fellows in the school," whispered Power, as he raised the candle to look at him. Low as he had spoken, the sound awoke the sleeper. He opened his eyes dreamily at first, but with full recognition afterwards, and said, "O, you fellows, I'm so delighted to set you; when I saw Henderson last, he told me that you hadn't come back, and that people were beginning to fear some accident; and I suppose that's the reason why I've been dreaming so uneasily, and fancying that I saw you tumbling down the rift, and all kinds of things." "Well, we were very near it, Dubbs, but, thanks to Walter, we escaped all right," said Power. Daubeny looked up inquiringly. "We must tell you all about it to-morrow," said Power. "How are you feeling?" "O, I don't know; not very well, but it's no matter; I daresay I shall be all right soon." "Hush, you young gentlemen," said the nurse; "this'll never do; you oughtn't to have awoke Master Daubeny just as he was sleeping so nice." "Very sorry, nurse; good-night, Dubbs; hope you'll be all right to-morrow," said they, and then adjourned to Power's study. The gas was lighted in the pretty little room, and the matron, regarding them as heroes, had sent them a very tempting tea. They ate it almost in silence, for they were quite tired out. It seemed an age since they had started in the morning with Henderson and Daubeny. Directly tea was finished, Kenrick, exhausted with fatigue and excitement, fell asleep in his chair, with his head thrown back and his lips parted. "There, I think that's a sign that we ought to be going to bed," said Walter, laughing as he pointed at him. "O no," said Power, "not yet; it's so jolly sitting here; don't wake him, but come and draw your chair next to mine by the fire and have a chat."