"
"Not this year."
"No, but next."
In this contemplation Cecil was silent, only fondling Chico, until
Jock, instead of falling asleep again, said, "Evelyn, what does your
doctor really think of the little chap?"
Cecil screwed up his face as if he had rather not be asked.
"Never you think about it," he said. "Doctors always croak. He'll be
all right again soon."
"If I was sure," sighed Jock; "but you know he has always been such a
religious little beggar. It's a horrid bad sign."
"Like my brother Walter," said Cecil gravely. "Now, Duke can be ever
so snappish and peevish; I'm not half so much afraid for him."
"You never heard anything like the little fellow that night," said
Jock, and therewith he gave his friend by far the most connected
account of the adventure that had yet been arrived at. He even spoke
of the resolution to which he had been brought, and in a tone of awe
described how he had pledged himself for the future.
"So you see I'm in for it," he concluded; "I must give up all our
jolly larks."
"Then I shan't get into so many rows with my mother and uncle," said
Cecil, by no means with the opposition his friend had anticipated.
"Then you'll stand by me?" said Jock.
"Gladly. My mother was at me all last Easter, telling me my goings
on were worse to her than losing George or Walter, and talking about
my Confirmation and all.
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