"I shall be despised. I sometimes think both Shirley and you despise me."

"Listen, Henry. Generally, I don't like school-boys: I have a great horror of them. They seem to me little ruffians, who take an unnatural delight in killing and tormenting birds, and insects, and kittens, and whatever is weaker than themselves; but you are so different, I am quite fond of you. You have almost as much sense as a man (far more, God wot," she muttered to herself, "than many men); you are fond of reading, and you can talk sensibly about what you read."

"I am fond of reading. I know I have sense, and I know I have feeling."

Miss Keeldar here entered.

"Henry," she said, "I have brought your lunch here: I shall prepare it for you myself."

She placed on the table a glass of new milk, a plate of something which looked not unlike leather, and an utensil which resembled a toasting-fork.

"What are you two about," she continued, "ransacking Mr. Moore's desk?"

"Looking at your old copy-books," returned Caroline.

"My old copy-books?"

"French exercise-books. Look here! They must be held precious: they are kept carefully."

She shewed the bundle. Shirley snatched it up:

"Did not know one was in existence," she said. "I thought the whole lot had long since lit the