 there
would have been no ray of expected pleasure to enliven the general gloom. But he
liked to think how Laura would put out her lips and her tiny hands for the bits
of sugar-candy; and, to give the greater keenness to these pleasures of
imagination, he took out the parcel, made a small hole in the paper, and bit off
a crystal or two, which had so solacing an effect under the confined prospect
and damp odours of the gig-umbrella, that he repeated the process more than once
on his way.
    »Well, Tulliver, we're glad to see you again,« said Mr. Stelling, heartily.
»Take off your wrappings and come into the study till dinner. You'll find a
bright fire there, and a new companion.«
    Tom felt in an uncomfortable flutter as he took off his woollen comforter
and other wrappings. He had seen Philip Wakem at St Ogg's, but had always turned
his eyes away from him as quickly as possible. He would have disliked having a
deformed boy for his companion, even if Philip had not been the son of a bad
man. And Tom did not see how a bad man's son could be very good. His own father
was a good man, and he would readily have fought any one who said the contrary.
He was in a state of mingled embarrassment and defiance as he followed Mr.
Stelling to the study.
    »Here is a new companion for you to shake hands with, Tulliver,« said that
gentleman on entering the study - »Master Philip Wakem. I shall leave you to
make acquaintance by yourselves. You already know something of each other, I
imagine; for you are neighbours at home.«
    Tom looked confused and awkward, while Philip rose and glanced at him
timidly. Tom did not like to go up and put out his hand, and he was not prepared
to say, »How do you do?« on so short a notice.
    Mr. Stelling wisely turned away, and closed the door behind him: boys'
shyness only wears off in the absence of their elders.
    Philip was at once too proud and too timid to walk towards Tom. He thought,
or rather felt, that Tom had an aversion to looking at him: every one, almost,
disliked looking at him; and his deformity was more conspicuous when he walked.
So they remained without shaking hands or even speaking, while Tom went to the
fire and warmed himself, every now and then casting furtive glances at Philip,
who seemed to be drawing
