I'll see if
it can be in any way lightened for you."
Hamish's tone was kindly, his manner frank and persuasive, and Tom was
won over to speak of his troubles. Hamish listened with an attentive
ear. "Will you abide by my advice?" he asked him, when the catalogue of
grievances had come to an end.
"Perhaps I will," replied Tom, who was growing cool after his heat.
"Then, as I said to you before, so I say now--_Live it down_. It is the
best advice I can give you."
"Hamish, you don't know what it is!"
"Yes, I do. I can enter into your trials and annoyances as keenly as if
I had to encounter them. I do not affect to disparage them to you: I
know that they are real trials, real insults; but if you will only make
up your mind to bear them, they will lose half their sharpness. Your
interest lies in remaining in the college school; more than that, your
duty lies in it. Tom, don't let it be said that a Channing shrunk from
his duty because it brought him difficulties to battle with."
"I don't think I _can_ stop in it, Hamish. I'd rather stand in a
pillory, and have rotten eggs shied at me."
"Yes, you can. In fact, my boy, for the present you _must_.
Disobedience has never been a fault amongst us, and I am sure you will
not be the one to inaugurate it. Your father left me in charge, in his
place, with full control; and I cannot sanction any such measure as
that of your leaving the school.
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