"Shall I come to your little attic, Roland, to study? No one will follow me there." "Certainly, my friend;" and Edmund found the quiet of the distant room, and the presence of his studious friend, a great help to his new resolutions. "Boots" was making rapid progress in his studies. Many were jealous of his talents, and feared him as a rival; but with the one great end in view, he was turned aside by nothing. Roland's manly Christianity was overcoming all enmity excepting with mean grovelling spirits. Stanley still delighted to make thrusts at him, for he could not but acknowledge his superiority. One morning, he stopped at Stanley's door for his boots; they were not outside; he knocked--a faint voice answered, "Come in." Roland entered, and poor Stanley lay on the bed, burning with fever, and tossing from side to side in agony. "What is the matter, Stanley?" asked Roland. "I have suffered agony all night; my head aches and burns, and my whole frame is shaking with chills." "I am sorry for you, Stanley; it is bad to be sick without a woman's care and kindness; shall I bathe your head?" Roland brought a basin of cool water, washed the poor fellow's face, combed his hair, and laid cloths wet with cool water on his burning head. "I will send the doctor, Stanley; you need advice." Going immediately to the matron, he informed her of the case, sent for the physician, and returned to Stanley's room, where he stayed cooling his head until the doctor arrived. It was a serious case, and needed great care, the physician said. All others avoided the sick room for fear of a contagious disease, and poor Stanley would have suffered greatly, perhaps have lost his life, had it not been for Roland's care. He received the doctor's orders, saw that his medicines were given at the proper time, and spent as much of his time as possible by Stanley's bed-side; that, however, could not be long with all his other duties; but Stanley was never left alone, for the Janitor's boy stayed with him; and by Roland's minute directions, he was properly attended to. Stanley was very ill for three weeks; when convalescent, he called Roland to his bed-side, and said, "How could you do so much for me? I have never said a kind word to you since you came here." "'When thine enemy hunger, feed him; when he thirsts, give him drink; for in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.'" "Whose words are these, Roland?" "The words of Jesus, Stanley." "Are you one of his disciples? I thought you were too manly for that, Roland. I have always thought that that will do for old women and children; not for men." "You are mistaken, Stanley; a Christian is the highest order of a man." "Will you forgive me, Roland? I have been a mean puppy to you." "Forgive, Stanley! Certainly. You have been thoughtless, but I hope not unfeeling." "You have conquered George Stanley, Roland, and woe to the fellow that dares speak against you."