Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/33

Rh down by the mill-pond, and round that off into the woods, and came out upon the road half a mile behind the school. For some time neither of them spoke. At last Rupert said abruptly:— "Did you know that Bruce has been taken into the Crown?"

"No," Stoddard answered; and he added, "I don't know much about the Crown."

"That's all that's the matter with Bruce," continued Rupert. "He's just been taken in—and of course he has to be very intimate with the Crown fellows all at once. That was why last night he had to rush up and stick his arm in Harry's and walk off with him. And this afternoon he had to go with Harry and the rest to the regular Sunday meeting of the Crown—up at their sacred rock, you know. If you feel he's sort—of sort of going back on you, don't be troubled. Just put it down to his young enthusiasm for his new friends."

"I was feeling rather badly about it," Stoddard acknowledged. "You see, Bruce is