Ben Lawrence was quite equal to any of his class-fellows in his knowledge of Latin and history, though rather behindhand in arithmetic. With all his cleverness, he was perfectly unconscious of being at all in advance of the other boys. He seemed to keep his one end in view. Regardless of everything else, he was determined to work for one of the good scholarships attached to Hartwell College.

He looked in a wondering way at Sinclair and Thornton, who could only accomplish a very lame attempt at repetition; but, except for this momentary glance, he took no notice of anything beyond his own work. The two laggards did no better than usual, and again found themselves deprived of their half-holiday, as well as being severely punished for the nonperformance of the impositions. It was with some difficulty that Frank accomplished his punishment task by dinner-time, but what a weight was removed from his mind as he laid the finished lines upon Mr. Davenal's desk! This day's work was not without its good lesson to him, for he saw now that real industry is

sure to gain the day eventually, and his new friend seemed likely to raise his mind above impositions and Sinclair's mean tricks. Of course there was no time that day for a chat with Lawrence, as, being a half-holiday, the day-boys were not obliged to return, although many of them preferred doing so, in order to join in whatever out-door sport was in season. Lawrence, however, was too new to care for the playground in preference to home, but ere long he was very glad to join Frank and his friends as often as possible.

I

CHAPTER VIII.

AT HILL COTTAGE.

'In this land of Heaven's peculiar grace,
The heritage of nature's noblest race,
There is a spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.'

J. MONTGOMERY.

ESLIE, do you think the Head will

allow you to come back with me after school?' inquired Ben Lawrence one Saturday morning as he entered the. school.

'Oh, yes, I'm sure he will, if I get no detentions,' said Frank; and I don't expect I shall, because I know that piece in the Primer quite well, and I never get detentions now for the other work, unless it's arithmetic.'

'Oh, but do take extra pains to-day,' pleaded Lawrence, 'because mother wants to see you so much! She always likes to know the boys I'm fondest of, and I know you'll like her. I'm going to ask Grant too.'

'That will be jolly,' said Frank; 'he's such a stunning fellow, isn't he?'

'Yes, that he is, and I'm sure mother will like him. She liked the Fullers very much.'

Frank's repetition passed off favourably; and though he was in some difficulty for a few minutes as to how he should find the 'L. C. M. of 16, 27, 50, and 10,' he managed to solve the mystery in time to prevent any disagreeable consequences. His other work was so satisfactory, that Mr. Davenal encouraged him with the hope of speedy promotion, which put him in very high spirits.

Dr. Fuller was very glad to allow both boys to accompany Lawrence home as soon as lessons were over, and there were no happier boys in Hartwell that day than the three friends who started together for Hill Cottage, as Ben's home was named. This cottage stood on the