"I don't know, Walter. But I want very much to see him myself, if Dr Keith will let me, so I'll come with you and enquire." Mr Percival walked with the two boys to the cottage, and, after an injunction not to stay too long, they were admitted to the sick boy's bedside. At first, in the darkened room, they saw nothing; but Daubeny's voice--weak and low, but very cheerful--at once greeted them. "O, thank you, sir, for coming to see me. Hallo! Walter, and Flip, too; I'm so glad to see you--you in a sickroom again, Flip!" "We would have come before if we had known that we might see you," said the master. "How are you feeling, my dear boy?" "Not very well, sir; my head aches sadly sometimes, and I get so confused." "Ah, Daubeny, it's the overwork. Didn't I entreat you, my child, to slacken the bent bow a little? You'll be wiser in future, will you not?" "In future--O yes, sir; if ever I get well, I'm afraid," he said, with a faint smile, "that you'll find me stupider than ever." "Stupid, my boy! none of us ever thought you that. It is not the stupid boys that get head removes as you have done the last term or two. I should very much enjoy a talk with you, Daubeny, but I mustn't stay now the doctor says, so I'll leave these two fellows with you, and give them ten minutes--no longer--to tell you all the school news." "In future wiser--in future," repeated Daubeny in a low voice to himself once or twice; "ah, yes, too late now. I don't think he knows how ill I am, Walter. My mother's been sent for; I expect her this evening. I shall at least live to see her again." "O, don't," said Henderson, whose quick and sensitive nature was easily excited; "don't talk like that, Daubeny; we can't spare you; you must stay for our sake." "Dear old fellow," said Daubeny, "you'll have nobody left to chaff; but you can spare me easily enough," and he laid his fevered hand kindly on Henderson's, who immediately turned his head and brushed away a tear. "O, don't cry," he added, in a pained tone of voice, "I never meant to make you cry. I'm quite happy, Flip." "O Daubeny! we can't get on without you!" said Henderson. "Daubeny! I hardly know the name," said the sick boy, smiling. "No, Flip, let it be Dubbs, as of old--a nice heavy name to suit its owner; and you gave it me, you know, so it's your property, Flip, and I hardly know myself by any other now." "O Dubbs, I've plagued you so," said Henderson, sobbing as if his heart would break; "I've never done anything but teaze you, and laugh at you, and you've always been so good and so patient to me. Do forgive me."