to do so, I must dispense with your attendance here, Alick,
otherwise our positions as master and pupil would be reversed.
Good-morning to you!' Philip had risen, and was holding the door open.
A great struggle had been going on in the young man's mind. It would
be easier, he knew, far easier, for him to gloss over Alick's obstinate
refusal to repent, and just to let things go on in the old way. The
temptation to do so was great, particularly to one whose days were
shadowed by much physical suffering, which made it the harder for him
to rise up and energetically quell such a rebellious rising as he had
had lately to cope with. But Philip owned a lion's heart as well as
clear, well-defined notions of right and wrong. Also he had learned
not to lean on his own strength. There was, he knew by experience, a
higher help always ready for those who seek it, and Philip had long
made it a habit to do that in all things, small or great. He was,
therefore, enabled to deal with the young rebel in a dignified and
temperate yet firm manner.

Muttering savagely Alick withdrew with slouching gait. He knew well
that he was no match in regard to words with his tutor, who had
preserved _his_ temper admirably. Master Alick consequently felt it to
be the best policy to hold his tongue.

'Has you got a holiday, Alick? Or has you got the toothache?' asked
Queenie innocently, surprised when Alick sauntered into her playroom,
an hour after, feeling rather like a fish out of water without his
inseparable companion Geoff, and without his usual employment. Ned
Dempster was also out of the way, he being absent with the
fishing-boats; for the bay was alive with the shoals of mackerel, over
which intense excitement simmered throughout Northbourne.

'Yes, I _has_ got a holiday, miss!' was Alick's grim rejoinder. 'A
pretty long one too, I expect.' Then he added in a curt, sharp tone,
as though to stop further questions, 'Now, look here, Queenie! Have
you got any of your family that wants mending, eh? Any sick and
wounded? Any broken legs or heads lying about? Because if you have, I
can undertake to put them right this morning. I've got nothing else on
hand.'

'Oh, can you, will you?' delightedly said Queenie. Then, suddenly
recollecting herself, she quickly added, 'But, Alick--oh, I couldn't
get out all my sick dollies this minute, 'cos, you see, it is nearly
'leven o'clock, and Theo will be waiting for me in the tea-house, to
b