“But, Ken, I have come now for a definite purpose,” said Walter. “You’ll promise me not to take offence?”
“Never again, Walter, with you.”
“Well, then, tell me honestly, was it of any consequence to you to gain this scholarship, in which, so unexpectedly to myself, some accident has placed me above you?”
Kenrick reddened slightly, and made no answer, while Walter quickly continued—“You know, Ken, that I am going to stay here another year; are you?”
“I’m afraid not; my guardian does not think that we can afford it.”
“Well, then, Ken, I think I may say, without much presumption, that, as I stay here for certain, I may safely reckon on getting a scholarship next year. At any rate, even if I don’t, my father is quite rich enough to bear my university expenses unaided without any inconvenience. It would be mere selfishness in me, therefore, to retain this scholarship, and I mean to resign it at once; so that let me now congratulate you heartily on being Marsden scholar.”
“Nay, Walter, I can’t have you make this sacrifice for my sake.”
“You can’t help it, Ken; for this is a free country,” said Walter, smiling, “and I may waive a scholarship if I like. But it’s no sacrifice whatever, my dear fellow; don’t say anything more about it. It gives me ten times the pleasure that you should hold it rather than I. So again I congratulate you; and now, as you must have had enough of me, I’ll say good morning.”
He rose with a smile to leave the room, but Kenrick, seizing him by the hand, exclaimed—
“O Walter, you heap coals of fire on my head. Am I never to receive anything from you but benefits which I can never return?”