“But I am here,” smiled Shag, “and, what is better, you’re here and Freddy, too.”

“Yes, but I know the reason that I’m here is that you somehow pulled me out,” said Hal.  “I had an idea once that Shorty might come, he swims so well; but you came, Shag!” Then he fell asleep; but Shag did not remove his hand, although the boy slept for hours.

* * * * * * * *

Not long after this college opened for the autumn term, and Professor Warwick and his charges were well settled in residence before the old gentleman was obliged to acknowledge that Hal seemed unable to throw off the shock of the accident, or the chill that seemed to cling to him in spite of all care; but he tucked in bravely at his studies, and only the Professor knew that the boy was not his own self.

But a great event was now absorbing the attention of all the faculty and students.  His Excellency Lord Mortimer was to visit the city, and had expressed his wish to spend an hour or two at this famous college for boys, so with much delight at the compliment paid, the entire school began to make preparations.  A handsome address was prepared, and a programme of sports—­for the Governor dearly loved athletic boys.  In fact gossip at the capital frequently stated that His Lordship would rather witness a good lacrosse match than eat a good dinner.  Such a thing as voting as to who should represent the school and read the address was never even thought of.  Hal Bennington was the head boy of the whole college, he was the most popular, the best beloved, he had not an enemy in all the scores of boys within its gates, so of course it was a foregone conclusion.

“I hate the idea of it,” asserted Hal.  “I hate these public show-offs, besides, I don’t feel well.  I wish they would make some other chap do it.”  But neither masters nor boys would take no for an answer.  Then disaster threatened, for a week before the event Hal fell really ill; a slow fever seemed to grip him, and if Sir George and Lady Bennington had not been already on the sea on their homeward way, Professor Warwick would have felt very much like cabling them.  Hal was utterly disgusted when it was mentioned to him.  “Don’t you think of it,” he growled.  “You’ve done as I wished about not telling them about that bally accident, and don’t you hurry them home for me.”  So the boy was made to stay in bed, and, truth to tell, he was too ill to remonstrate much.

But the night before the viceregal visit Hal knew in his heart that he was too ill to go out and read the address.  Late at night he sent for Professor Warwick, told him the truth, and asked him to get substitute.

“My boy, I am more distressed than I can say,” began the Professor.  “Your illness is worse than any upsetting of arrangements; we are getting a trained nurse for you, and I shall relieve your mind of all worries.  We have hardly time now to consult everyone about a substitute, but if I tell the boys you have appointed a deputy, so to speak, I think they will be satisfied.”