Arnold Bennett

The Grim Smile of the Five Towns Arnold Bennett

After several months, during which Horace had given up all his limited spare time to thesuperintendence of the child's first steps in knowledge, Sidney was judged to be sufficiently strong togo to school, and it was arranged that he should attend the Endowed School at the WedgwoodInstitution. Horace accompanied him thither on the opening day of the term-it was an inclementmorning in January-and left the young delicate sprig, apparently joyous and content, to the care ofhis masters and the mercy of his companions. But Sidney came home for dinner weeping-weepingin spite of his new mortar-board cap, his new satchel, his new box of compasses, and his new books. His mother kept him at home in the afternoon, and by the evening another of those terrible attackshad supervened. The doctor and Horace and Mrs Carpole once more lost much precious sleep. Themysterious malady continued. School was out of the question. And when Sidney took the air, in charge of his mother, everybody stopped to sympathize withhim and to stroke his curls and call him a poor dear, and also to commiserate Mrs Carpole. As forHorace, Bursley tried to feel sorry for Horace, but it only succeeded in showing Horace that it washiding a sentiment of indignation against him. Each friendly face as it passed Horace in the streetsaid, without words, 'There goes the youth who probably ruined his young stepbrother's life. Andthrough sheer obstinacy too! He dropped the little darling in spite of warnings and protests, andthen fell on the top of him. Of course, he didn't do it on purpose, but-'