ding behind the maid who admitted him.

"Oh," she said, looking at the string of skates as if she had hardly
expected to see them again, "so you have brought our things back?"

"Such were my instructions," he said, taken aback by her manner. "You
had no instructions. What do you mean by getting our skates into your
charge under false pretences? I was about to send the police to take
them from you. How dare you tell me that you were sent to wait on me,
when you know very well that you were nothing of the sort?"

"I couldn't help it, Miss," he replied submissively. "I am a natural
born liar--always was. I know that it must appear dreadful to you that
never told a lie, and don't hardly know what a lie is, belonging as you
do to a class where none is ever told. But common people like me tells
lies just as a duck swims. I ask your pardon, Miss, most humble, and I
hope the young ladies'll be able to tell one set of skates from t'other;
for I'm blest if I can."

"Put them down. Miss Wilson wishes to speak to you before you go. Susan,
show him the way."

"Hope you ain't been and got a poor cove into trouble, Miss?"

"Miss Wilson knows how you have behaved."

He smiled at her benevolently and followed Susan upstairs. On their way
they met Jane, who stole a glance at him, and was about to pass by, when
he said:

"Won't you say a word to Miss Wilson for a poor common fellow, honored
young lady? I have got into dreadful trouble for having made bold to
assist you this morning."

"You needn't give yourself the pains to talk like that," replied Jane in
an impetuous whisper. "We all know that you're only pretending."

"Well, you can guess my motive," he whispered, looking tenderly at her.

"Such stuff and nonsense! I never heard of such a thing in my life,"
said Jane, and ran away, plainly understanding that he had disguised
himself in order to obtain admission to the college and enjoy the
happiness of looking at her.

"Cursed fool that I am!" he said to himself; "I cannot act like a
rational creature for five consecutive minutes."

The servant led him to the study and announced, "The man, if you please,
ma'am."

"Jeff Smilash," he added in explanation.

"Come in," said Miss Wilson sternly.

He went in, and met the determined frown which she cast on him from her
seat behind the writing table, by saying courteously:

"Good-morning, Miss Wilson."

She bent forward involuntarily, as if to receive a gentleman. Then sh