"I've always been so sorry," said Vernon, "that I joined the fellows in playing him tricks. I can't think how I came to do it, except that I've done such lots of bad things here. But he's forgiven and forgotten that long ago, and is very kind to me now."
It was true; but Eric didn't know that half the kindness which Montagu showed to his brother was shown solely for his sake.
"Do you know, I've thought of a plan for making you two friends again? I've written to Aunt Trevor to ask him to Fairholm with us next holidays."
"Oh, have you? Good Verny! Yes; there we might be friends. Perhaps there," he added, half to himself, "I might be more like what I was in better days."
"But it's a long time to look forward to. Easter hasn't come yet," said Vernon.
So the two young boys proposed; but God had disposed it otherwise.
CHAPTER VII
THE PIGEONS
"Et motae ad Lunam trepidabis arundinis umbram."
Juv. X. 21.