Great was Ben's surprise when the only domestic at Hill Cottage brought him, a little note. . . . Left by a tall, pleasant-spoken, young gentleman.-LIFE AT HARTWELL, p. 197.

sion himself, which was, of course, an almost unprecedented act of condescension.

Great was Ben's surprise when the only domestic at Hill Cottage brought him a little note, which, according to her account, had been left at the back-door by a 'tall, pleasant-spoken young gentleman, who gave no name.' As Ben never dreamed of having private dealings with so great a person as a prefect, he never fixed upon Walker as being Frank's messenger, though he immediately suspected Frank of being at the bottom of this pleasant surprise.

'I wish I hadn't been so cross about it this morning,' was his next thought; 'it's awfully kind of poor Leslie!'

Then he took the little parcel into his mother's room, showing her the envelope, just inside which was written (in a handwriting not Frank's), 'From a Friend.' Ben gave his mother a detailed account of what had passed between himself and Frank that morning, and asked what he should now do. Mrs. Lawrence was of opinion that Ben might keep the money which had been so kindly sent by this unknown 'friend.' Sup

Mrs.

posing it to have come from Frank, it showed a forgiving and friendly spirit on his part, and she said it would be wrong to check such a feeling. Again, should the present have come from any other source, both Frank and the real donor would be distressed if it were returned. Lawrence added, that she should not have wished Ben to accept Frank's impulsive offer in the first instance, although there ought to have been no loss of temper on the occasion, but that now she had no objection whatever to his accepting it; indeed, wished him to do so.

The boy's face brightened considerably as his mother spoke, and he went to bed rejoicing in his good fortune, though sorry as he thought over his late quarrel with Frank.

The boys' meeting next morning was a strange one. Frank kept clear of Ben during the few minutes the latter had to spare before school; and, when obliged to enter the classroom, he bent his head over a book, and appeared too intent upon his work to perceive Ben. Lessons over, there was no further chance of escape. Lawrence walked boldly up to his

friend, and good-humouredly charged him with being the sender of the present received the previous evening. Frank had no wish now to deny the fact, even could he have done such a thing; and, thoroughly reconciled after their foolish dispute, the two boys revelled in the thought of the next day's enjoyment.