“I think we shall let you have anything you want hereafter.  What is it to be this time—­philosophy?”

“No, I want another book of exploration,” answered Keith, thawing under the smile.  “And I want a real good one.”

That was his favourite subject, and the book he chose was Speke’s “Discovery of the Source of the Nile.”  Once launched on that memorable journey, he had no thought left for any explorations of his own.

VI

During the fall and spring terms of that first year Keith had no sense of time.  Days and weeks and months rolled by so smoothly that their passing was unnoticed.  It is a question whether at any other period of his life—­with one possible exception—­he was more completely interested and, for that reason, satisfied.

One day he observed casually that the old trees in the churchyard sported tiny green leaves under a deliciously blue but still rather cold sky.  A few days more, and he heard that commencement was at hand.

It was a time of great excitement in school.  Who would pass and who would not?  Falling through might mean another year in the same class, but beyond all doubt it meant a summer spent at work instead of playing.  It was worse than a disgrace.  It was a menace to liberty at the time of the year when liberty meant most.

Being second in the class, it never occurred to Keith that he might fail of promotion to a higher grade, but at that end there were possible prizes to consider.  The class was full of gossip and speculation.  Boys who had hardly spoken to each other before broke into heated discussions or formed belated friendships.  In one way and another the fever infected Keith and spread from him to his parents, though his father as usual feigned complete indifference.  From his mother he learned long before the startling fact was meant to reach his ears, that his father had actually asked a day off at the bank in order to attend the exercises.  This news increased Keith’s fear by several degrees.  He had no idea what might happen, and it would be unthinkably dreadful to have the father present if anything went wrong.  But on the other hand, if ... well, what was there to happen anyhow?

On the morning of the great day, a host of parents and relatives and other interested spectators crowded into the big assembly hall where places were reserved for them in the rear and along the walls.  In the meantime the pupils gathered in their respective class-rooms, and from there they marched by twos to the hall, the lowest grade leading.  Every boy was in his best clothes, and every one showed his nervousness in his own peculiar way.  Keith laughed hysterically a few times before they started, and then he turned into an automaton that breathed and moved and heard and saw only as part of a gigantic machine.  His own individuality seemed to melt and become a mere drop in the all-exclusive individuality of the school.