Your uncle is kind enough to take you with him to his house, and will
endeavour to make you fit to try to get upon the foundation by the
time there is a vacancy."
"O Papa! don't," sobbed Henry.
"I can't help it, Hal! You have shown yourself unfit either for the
sea or for home. What can I do with you?"
"Try me--only try me, Papa. I would--"
"I cannot go by what you say you would be, but what you are. Deeds,
not words."
"But if you won't let me go into the navy, only let me be in real
school."
"No, Henry; I have not the means of sending you there: excepting on
the foundation; and if you get admittance there at all, it will only
be by great diligence, and your uncle's kindness in preparing you."
Henry cried bitterly. It was a dreadful prospect to do his lessons
alone with Uncle John in the boys' play-hours, and be kept in order
by Aunt Alice when his uncle was in school. Perhaps his father would
not have liked it himself, for his voice was very pitying, though
cheering, as he said, "One half year, Hal, very likely no more if you
take pains, and you'll get into school, and be very happy, so long as
you don't make a Greville of every idle chap you meet.
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