At length the time of departure came, and Lord Henry travelled down with us to London, where he intended to spend a day or two.
Another parting of a more dismal kind, however, had to take place, for Rutherford was not returning to the school any more but going under an army coach, in preparation for Sandhurst. We felt that the loss of his society would make a great difference to us at Mr. Percival's, and none of us cared to view in anticipation the rift in the circle of our comradeship. We could only put on brave faces, and, as we wished him good luck, try to hide the sorrow we felt.
It was a great grief to me to think that I should not again be cheered by Bob's habitual good humour and never-failing support under all circumstances. I had not forgotten that he had been my first mentor in opening up the paths of pleasure to me, and I regarded him with affection accordingly. I was only too confident in my own mind how greatly I should miss him. But our life in this world is made up of meetings and partings.
Bob came to the station to see me off, as he was remaining in town. We shook hands warmly, and as the train started on its journey with puffs and snorts, I put my head out of the window to catch one more glimpse of his smiling face, wondering how long it would be before I should see him again.