And then and there Walter, while yet a boy, solemnly and consciously recorded an unspoken vow that _he_ at least, till death, would do all that lay in his own power to lighten, not to increase, the sum of human misery; that he would study all things that were kind, and gentle, and tender-hearted, in his dealings with others; that he would ever be on the watch against wounding thoughts, and uncharitable judgments, and unkind deeds; above all, that he would strive with all his power against the temptation to cutting and sarcastic words, against calumny, and misrepresentation, against envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness. These were the noble thoughts and high resolves which were passing through the boy's mind when Power's quiet footstep entered the room. Power stopped for a minute to look at the somewhat saddening picture in the darkened room--Walter, still as death, deep in thought, his chin leaning on his hand, and his face presenting an uncouth mixture of shapes and colours as he sat by Eden's bedside; and Eden turning and moaning in an unrefreshing sleep. Walter started from his reverie and smiled, as Power noiselessly approached. "My poor Walter, how marked you are!" "Oh, never mind, it's nothing. I had a good cause, and it's done good." "Poor fellow! But how's Arty? He looks wretchedly ill." "He's in a sad way I'm afraid, Power," said Walter, shaking his head. "I hope he'll be all right soon." "Yes, I hope so; but we shall have to take great care of him." "Poor child, poor child!" said Power, bending over him compassionately. "Has Flip told Somers of Harpour?" asked Walter. "I don't know whether you are quite up to hearing school news yet." "O yes! tell me all about it," said Walter eagerly. "Well, I've no good news to tell. It's a case of _ponos ponoo ponon pherei_, as Percival said when I told him about you and Eden. By the by, he sent all sorts of kind messages, and will come and see you." "Thanks; but about Harpour?" "Well, Flip meant to tell Somers, but the whole thing spread over the school at once, before morning chapel was well over; so, Dimock being head of Robertson's house, thought it was _his_ place to take it up. He sent for Harpour in the classroom, and told him he meant to cane him for his abominable, ruffianly conduct; but before he'd begun, Harpour seized hold of the cane, and wouldn't let it go. Luckily Dimock didn't fly into a rage, nor did he let himself down by a fight, which Harpour wanted to bring on. He simply let go of the cane quite coolly, and said, `Very well, Harpour, it would have been a good deal the best for you to have taken quietly the caning you so thoroughly deserve; as you don't choose to do that, I shall put the matter in Somers' hands. I'm glad to be rid of the responsibility.'" "Did it end there?"