Stephen was only too glad, as it gave him time to breathe before plunging at once into the scene of his future exploits. "Is it far?" he asked. "Only a mile," said Oliver; "come on. Hullo, Rick, where have you been to?" This was addressed to Ricketts, whom they met just outside the station. "Oh! to Sherren's about my togs. I wanted them for the match to-morrow, you know. I've told him if he doesn't send them up in time we'll all get our things made in London, so I guess he'll hurry himself for once. Oh, look here! did you get a paper with the result of the American match? Bother! Here, you kid, what's your name, cut back to the station and get a daily. Look sharp! Bring it to me in my room. Come on, Greenfield." Master Stephen looked so astonished at this cool request from a total stranger that both the elder boys laughed. "This is my young brother, Rick, just come--" "Oh, I beg your pardon," said Mr Ricketts, blushing, "I'll go--" "No, I'll go," said Stephen, darting off, and expending a penny of his own to get this magnifico of the Fifth his paper. This little incident served to break the ice for the new boy, who felt highly honoured when Ricketts said he was "much obliged to him." "By the way," said Oliver, suddenly, "I ought to get my togs up too. Bother that Sherren! I say, Rick, see my young brother up to the school, will you? while I cut back; he can wait in my study." Stephen felt very desolate to be left thus alone the moment after his arrival, and it did not add to his pleasure to observe that Ricketts by no means appeared to look upon the task of seeing him to Saint Dominic's as a privilege. They walked on in silence for about half a mile, and then encountered several groups of boys strolling out along the road. Ricketts stopped to talk to several of them, and was very nearly going off with one of the party, when he suddenly remembered his charge. It was rather humiliating this, for Stephen; and already his triumphal entry into Saint Dominic's was beginning to be shorn of some of its glory. No one noticed him; and the only one that paid him the least attention appeared to look upon him as a nuisance. "Here, Tony," suddenly shouted Ricketts to Pembury, who was jogging along on his crutches a little way ahead, towards the school; "do you mind showing this kid the way up? I have to go back with Wren. There's a good fellow." "Well, that's cool," replied Master Pembury; "I'm not a kid-conductor! Come on, youngster; I suppose you haven't got a name, have you?" "Yes, Stephen Greenfield." "Oh, brother of our dear friend Oliver; I hope you'll turn out a better boy than him, he's a shocking character." Stephen looked concerned. "I'm sure he doesn't mean to do what's wrong," began he, apologetically.