tore the paper up into little bits, and
then threw the whole into the fire before the eyes of the delighted
Loman.

"Thanks, Cripps, thanks," said the boy. "I am so glad everything's
settled now, and I am so sorry to have kept you waiting so long."

"Oh, well, as long as it's been an obligement to you, I don't so much
care," said the virtuous Cripps. "And now you've done with me I suppose
you'll cut me dead, eh, young gentleman? Just the way. You stick to us
as long as you can get anything out of us, and then we're nobodies."

And here Mr Cripps looked very dejected.

"Oh, no," said Loman, "I don't mean to cut you, Cripps. I shall come
down now and then--really I will--when I can manage it. Good-bye now."

And he held out his hand.

Foolish and wicked as Loman was, there was still left in him some of
that boyish generosity which makes one ready to forget injuries and
quick to acknowledge a good turn. Loman forgot for a moment all the
hideous past, with its suspense and humiliations and miseries, and
remembered only that Cripps had torn up the bill and allowed him to
clear off accounts once for all at the hated Cockchafer. Alas! he had
forgotten, too, about telling all to his father!

"Good-day, young gentleman," said Cripps, with a pensive face which made
the boy quite sorry to see.

He shook hands cordially and gratefully, and departed lighter in heart
than he had felt for some time.

But as he returned to Saint Dominic's the thought of Oliver, and of his
debt to him, returned, and turned again all his satisfaction into
vexation. He wished he had the money that moment to fling back into the
fellow's face!

I don't pretend to explain this whim of Loman's. It may have been his
conscience which prompted it. For a mean person nearly always detests
an honest one, and the more open and generous the one is, the meaner the
other feels in his own heart by contrast.

However, for some days Loman had not the painful reminder of his debt
often before his eyes; for as long as the Doctor was absent Oliver
remained in the Fifth.

At length, however, the head master returned, restored and well, and
immediately the "removes" were put into force, and Oliver and Wraysford
found themselves duly installed on the lowest bench of the Sixth--the
only other occupant of which was Loman. The two friends, however, held
very little intercourse with their new class-fellow, and Oliver never
once referred to the eight poun