Before Oliver went to bed he had a talk with Stephen in his study. He succeeded in putting pretty vividly before his young brother the position in which he had placed himself by going down to the public-house and associating with a man like Cripps.
“What I advise you is, to make a clean breast of it to the Doctor at once. If he hears of it any other way, you’re done for.” Oliver certainly had an uncompromising way of putting things.
“Oh, Noll, I never could! I know I couldn’t. I say, will you? You can tell him anything you like.”
Oliver hesitated a moment, and then said, “All serene; I’ll do it. Mind, I must tell him everything, though.”
“Oh, yes! I say, do you think I’ll be expelled?”
“I hope not. There’s no knowing, though.”
“Oh, Noll! what shall I do?”
“It’s your only chance, I tell you. If Cripps comes up and talks about it, or Loman tells, you’re sure to be expelled.”
“Well,” said Stephen, with a gulp, “I suppose you’d better tell him, Noll. Need I come too?”
“No, better not,” said Oliver. “I’ll go and see if he’s in his study now. You go up stairs, and I’ll come and tell you what he says.”