There was another proof of friendship given by Holt, more difficult by far; and in giving it, he showed that he really had learned courage and spirit from Hugh, or in some other way. He saw that his friend was now and then apt to do what most people who have an infirmity are prone to,--to make use of his privation to obtain indulgences for himself, or as an excuse for wrong feelings; and when Holt could not help seeing this, he resolutely told his friend of it. No one else but Mrs. Proctor would see or speak the truth on such occasions; and when his mother was not by, Hugh would often have done selfish things unchecked, if it had not been for Holt. His father pitied him so deeply, that he joked even about Hugh's faults, rather than give him present pain. Phil thought he had enough to bear at Crofton, and that everybody should let him alone in the holidays. His sisters humoured him in everything: so that if it had not been for Holt, Hugh might have had more trouble with his faults than ever, on going back to Crofton. "Do you really and truly wish not to fail, as you say, Hugh?" asked Holt. "To be sure." "Well, then, do try not to be cross." "I am not cross." "I know you think it is low spirits. I am not quite sure of that: but if it is, would not it be braver not to be low in spirits?" Hugh muttered that that was fine talking for people that did not know. "That is true, I dare say; and I do not believe I should be half as brave as you, but I _should_ like to see you quite brave." "It is a pretty thing for you to lecture me, when I got down those books on purpose for you,--those Voyages and Travels. And how can I look at those same books, now and not----" Hugh could not go on, and he turned away his head. "Was it for me?" exclaimed Holt, in great concern. "Then I am very sorry. I will carry them to Mrs. Proctor, and ask her to put them quite away till we are gone back to Crofton." "No, no. Don't do that. I want them," said Hugh, finding now that he had not fetched them down entirely on Holt's account. But Holt took him at his word, and carried the books away, and succeeded in persuading Hugh that it was better not to look at volumes which he really almost knew by heart, and every crease, stain and dog's-ear of which brought up fresh in his mind his old visions of foreign travel and adventure. Then, Holt never encouraged any conversation about the accident with Susan, or with Mr. Blake, when they were in the shop; and he never pretended to see that Hugh's lameness was any reason why he should have the best of their places in the Haymarket Theatre (where they went once), or be the chief person when they capped verses, or played other games round the table, in the evenings at home. The next time Hugh was in his right mood, he was sure to feel obliged to Holt; and he sometimes said so.