"Yes, sir," said Ralph, wondering why his master spoke so gravely.
"Rexworth, I am sorry to say that Charlton is not quite in favour with his schoolmates. His father got into some trouble and has disappeared—it is supposed that he is dead—and the boy managed to gain a scholarship at another and poorer school, and has come here. He is a real nice lad, but very weakly and timid, and the others put upon him, partly on that account, partly because of his father's disappearance, and partly because he is poor—a sad crime in the eyes of many. It would have been wiser, I think, if he had not come here, but Dr. Beverly wished him to do so. I wish, Rexworth, that you would try to be his friend, for he needs one; some of the lads are nice enough to him, but he seems so very much alone."
"I would like to help him, sir," was the ready answer. And the master smiled.
"I thought that I was not mistaken in you," he said. "Look, there the lad is. Charlton, come here."
The lad came up. He was a pale boy, very delicate in appearance, and with a sad, wistful face.
"Yes, sir," he said.
"Charlton, there is only one vacancy in our studies, and that is with you. Rexworth will have to chum with you." The boy cast a startled glance at Ralph. "Take him and show him where it is, and try to make him feel at home."
"Yes, sir." The boy beckoned to Ralph. "Please come with me," he said, in troubled tones, as if he doubted whether Ralph would care about sharing the study with him.
"Have we got to be chums?" asked Ralph; and the other boy nodded.