The widowed mother wept; but the boy's spirits rose as he drew closer to the hills and to the sea, which told him that Saint Winifred's was near. He talked happily with Walter about the coming half--eager with ambition, with hope, with high spirits, and fine resolutions. He clapped his hands with pleasure when they reached the top of Bardlyn Hill and caught sight of the school buildings. Having had a long distance to travel they were among the late arrivals, and at the great gate stood Henderson and Power ready to greet them and the other boys who came with them in the same coach. Among these were Eden and Bliss. "Ah, Eden," said Henderson, "I've been writing a poem about you-- "I'm a shrimp, I'm a shrimp of diminutive size, Inspect my antennae and look at my eyes; Quick, quick, feel me quick, for cannot you see I'm a shrimp, I'm a shrimp, to be eaten with tea?" "And who's this?--why," he said clasping his hands and throwing up his eyes in mock rapture, "this indeed is Bliss!" "I'll lick you, Flip," said Bliss, only in a more good-humoured tone than usual, as he hit at him. "I think I've heard that observation before," said Henderson, dodging away. "Ah, Walter, how do you do, my dear old fellow? I hope you're sitting on the throne of health, and reclining under the canopy of a well-organised brain." "More than you are, Flip," said Walter laughing. "You seem madder than ever." "That he is," said Power; "since his return he's made on an average fifteen thousand bad puns. You ought to be grateful, though, for he and I have got some coffee going for you in my study. Come along; the Familiar will see that your luggage is all right." "Yes; and I shall make bold to bring in a shrimp to tea," said Henderson, seizing hold of Eden. "All right. I meant to ask you, Eden," said Power, shaking the little boy affectionately by the hand; "have you enjoyed the holidays?" "Not very much," said Eden. "You're not looking as bright as I should like," said Power; "never mind; if you didn't enjoy the holidays you must enjoy the half." "That I shall. I hope, Walter, you'll be in the same dormitory still. What shall I do if you're not?" "O, how's that to be, Flip?" asked Walter; "you said you'd try to get some of us put together in one dormitory. That would be awfully jolly. I don't want to leave you, Eden, and would like you to be moved too; but I can't bear Harpour and that lot." "I've partly managed it and partly failed," said Henderson. "You and the shrimp still stay with the rest of the set in Number 10, but as there was a vacant bed I got myself put there too." "Hurrah!" said Walter and Eden both at once; "that's capital."