Page:Martin Faber - the story of a criminal (IA martinfaber00simmrich).pdf/27

Rh for any other existing being, I both lover and pitied him.

One day, to the surprize of all, William Harding appeared in his class, perfectly ignorant of his lesson. the master did not punish him with stripes, but, as the school was about to be dismissed, commanding the trembling boy before him, he hung about his neck a badge made of card, on which was conspicuously printed, the world 'idler,'—With this badge he was required to return home, re-appearing at school with it the ensuing afternoon.

A more bitter disgrace could not, by any ingenuity, have been put upon the proud and delicate spirit of the ambitious boy. I never saw dismay more perfectly depicted upon any countenance. His spirit did not permit him to implore. But his eye—it spoke volumes