"To-morrow is a whole holiday; I shall get over a great deal to-morrow."

"If you will take my advice-"

"Yes?"

"You will go birdnesting with the Swallow; or, better still, run over to Sandy Frith and get a sail in your friend's boat." Tom opened his lips and panted, as if he were already out upon the sea, drawing up the salt breeze into his throat. "It would not do," he said. "When all this is over it will be a treat indeed; but not before. I have not an hour to spare now." "I have a great mind to lock up your books. Do as I bid you. Put them away twenty-four hours out of your hands and out of your head. I am inclined to think you would have a better chance of success if you were not to open one of them again until the day of the examination."

With some hesitation Tom promised Mr. Grantly that he would give the greater part of the next day to relaxation, and did so. He did not go to Sandy Frith, that would have taken up too much time, but went for a walk with Martin and some other boys; but he soon got tired; he could not walk as far as they did, and sat down upon a bank and waited for their return. He intended to read in the afternoon, but could not give his mind to it. When the tea-bell rang he did not show himself, and was found later in the evening fast asleep in his little study. He had slept, as it appeared, for several hours, and when roused was still heavy and confused. Mr. Grantly took him up to his dormitory and saw him safe in bed, and visited him again early the next morning. The rest had done him good. He was in better spirits, and was able to get through a good day's work; but after that he read but little, comparatively, out of regular hours, his good friend Mr. Grantly taking him more immediately under his charge, and compelling him to observe more prudent habits.

Y

CHAPTER XI

COMPETITION.

Aliquisque malo fuit usus in illo.—Orid.

HE day of the examination came at last. Willow was

illness or interruption of any kind. He was neither anxious nor elated; it might have been supposed that he was almost indifferent as to the result, but his class-fellows knew, by what they had seen of his work day after day, that he would do splendidly. He was quite safe, they all said. Opinion was nearly evenly divided as to the chances of the other three. Archer might have done anything he liked, but he had not worked like the rest, and it was uncertain how he would come out. He might surprise them all by the result of his close reading during the last fortnight, for he had great abilities. He told no one what his own hopes were, but seemed to be in good spirits, from which those who were anxious for his success augured well. Tufton, it was reported, had been cramming hard in secret, and they all knew what that meant. If cram would do it, he would be successful. His tutor was a first-rate man for getting fellows up for an exam. He could show him the shortest way, and give him all the tips; and Tufton had such an excellent memory that everything he learnt would be sure to be ready when wanted. Tufton, many of the boys thought, was also safe. As for Howard, every one agreed that he ought to be successful. He had worked harder than any one, but he was not so clever, and he did not take things so quietly or coolly. He looked "awfully seedy;" even the boys noticed that; and it would not be surprising if he should break down

and lose his head at the moment when he had most need of it. They all wished him success, however, and thought he had a chance. They had a certain confidence in him that he could do great things when put to it, and were ready to back him spite of all the disadvantages under which he seemed to labour.

The examination was conducted by university men of good standing, who were appointed to scrutinise the general results of the past year's teaching at Abbotscliff, and to report upon it. The whole school passed under the ordeal, the scholarships being awarded to those who acquitted themselves best, and some valuable prizes of books being assigned to others. It occupied two or three days, but no results were published until the whole was concluded, and then, on a day appointed, a gathering of all who were interested in the school-the masters, the trustees, and as many of the parents as were able to attend-took place in the great hall, and the report of the examiners was read aloud. The names of the successful competitors for the scholarships were then proclaimed, and they were called up one by one to receive the congratulations of the president and to return down the long aisle formed by the visitors and schoolboys, bearing their blushing honours in the presence of a thousand faces as modestly and meekly as they might. All who had gained prizes, great or small, were called up in like manner; but the "scholars "were of course the chief heroes of the day. These received the greatest ovations, and, whatever the "backings" might have been before the event, all with one accord joined in doing honour to the winners. It was pleasant to see how heartily these, as well as the recipients of smaller prizes, were cheered by the crowd of boys who awaited them at the lower end of the room. Most of them had already received the felicitations of their friends: for, although this was the first public announcement, the results of the examination had been

mi test the musters, and through them to

Le vo is 1 2. Amber advanced when his Lame vis med and stood upon the bea in presence of the chumba, mi lstated a ther words of approbation with as mic modesty is he would assume, being not a little proud of is malemul speicy of which he was quite conscious, mi u viết he was my indebted for his success. But VISI TIE ENLIma spoke of the patience and diligence and Just mi mozny sphene vhich he felt sure he must have gra u is cubes ir mintis past in order to have gained his Prisen reümbut postin" Arther cald not help feeling that In hud 1.6 deserrat this apment; and as he threaded his

then the anence his eye fell before theirs as they rose from that sets te greater emphasis to their applause, and he was very glad at bibe himself among the throng of his schoolkurvS

Tubu vis the next He tried to take it coolly, but his face vis fished with manga and he could not repress the proud, sell-sinted sule which låted up his features from the DINLI when his name was called, till he had regained his Fusce among the boys

Others followed in succession, according to their forms, until A had received their meed of honour and reward; and to all the same cordial greeting was afforded. Howard's name was olled twice, but no one answered to it, and Mr. Grantly was son to whisper to Dr. Fiercey, and to take charge of some books which had been awarded to him. Willow also was adjudged a pris and went up to receive it without any show of emotion, warning through the crowd of his admirers, equally indifferent, as it seemed, both to his failure as a "scholar" and to his sovss as a prizeman. Some of the names called out were oro loudly and enthusiastically applauded than others, for

there were, of course, special favourites among the "fellows; but every boy who went up to receive the reward of his industry received also the congratulations of his companions. There were disappointments indeed; and there may have been jealousies, and perhaps some temper shown, or some tears shed in secret, even by those who joined in the outward tokens of applause: those who had been distanced after running the successful competitors as closely as they could, naturally felt a little sore at being passed over without so much as an honourable mention; but they, better than any others, knew how well their rivals must have acquitted themselves in order to gain their successes, and honoured them accordingly.

Yes, they were all satisfied that justice had been done. It could not be otherwise with the confidence they had in their teachers, who, though they had taken no part in the examination, would be sure to see that there was fair play. If any of the boys held a different opinion they did not venture to express it. The report of the school throughout was favourable, and the attainments and successes of the few who stood highest in their several forms were gratifying. The masters, for the most part, were in great good humour, pleased with the result of their labour, and looking forward to the enjoyment of a wellearned holiday. And as they quitted the room when the meeting broke up they were all cheered in their turn, and Dr. Piercey especially was followed to the door of his own house by an admiring crowd, with clapping of hands and other demonstrations of esteem. Yet when he had raised his cap to them for the last time on the doorstep, and had retreated to his study, there was a cloud upon his brow, and his features were painfully agitated. Throwing himself into his chair, he sat for some minutes absorbed in silent thought. Then an exclamation of impatience broke from him, and he rose and paced about the room.