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once to catch the only train that would get him back to Ter-
canbury in time for call-over. As he sat in the corner of the
railway carriage he saw that he had done nothing. He was
angry with himself for his weakness. It was despicable to
have allowed himself to be turned from his purpose by the
pompous airs of the Vicar and the tears of his aunt. But as
the result of he knew not what conversations between the
couple another letter was written to the headmaster. Mr.
Perkins read it with an impatient shrug of the shoulders. He
showed it to Philip. It ran:
Dear Mr. Perkins,
Forgive me for troubling you again about my ward, but
both his Aunt and I have been uneasy about him. He seems
very anxious to leave school, and his Aunt thinks he is un-
happy. It is very difficult for us to know what to do as we are
not his parents. He does not seem to think he is doing very
well and he feels it is wasting his money to stay on. I should
be very much obliged if you would have a talk to him, and if
he is still of the same mind perhaps it would be better if he
left at Christmas as I originally intended.
Yours very truly,
William Carey.
Philip gave him back the letter. He felt a thrill of pride in
his triumph. He had got his own way, and he was satisfied.
His will had gained a victory over the wills of others.
‘It’s not much good my spending half an hour writing
to your uncle if he changes his mind the next letter he gets
from you,’ said the headmaster irritably.
Philip said nothing, and his face was perfectly placid; but

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