y would have led under those
circumstances.

At the end of a week the happy thought struck Ripon that a subscription
should be made to buy a new dictionary. The amount was a serious one, as
they found that the book could not be purchased under two guineas; but
every boy subscribed to his last farthing. Some promised their pocket
money for weeks in advance; others wrote home to their parents to ask
for money, and in ten days the boys had the satisfaction of seeing Ripon
at the commencement of school walk up to Mr. Porson's desk and present
him with the handsome volume in the name of all the boys. Ripon had
taken some pains in getting up an appropriate speech, and it was voted a
great success.

"Mr. Porson," he said, "in the name of all the boys in the school I beg
to ask your acceptance of this volume. It cannot have the value to you
of that which you have lost, as that was a prize; but we hope, that as
a proof of the respect and affection which we all have for you, and as
a token of our appreciation of your very great kindness toward us, you
will accept it in place of the other."

Mr. Porson's face lit up with pleasure.

"My boys," he said, "I am very highly gratified at this proof that I
have succeeded in my endeavors to make you feel that I am your friend as
well as your master, and I shall value your gift far more highly than
my college prize. That was simply the result of my own labor; this is
a proof of kindness and affection on your parts. I shall value it very
greatly all my life. And now, as I don't think you will be able to pay
much attention to your work this morning, and as I have been for some
days awaiting an opportunity to go over to York, where I have some
pressing business, I shall start at once, and can just catch the stage,
and shall get back in time for school tomorrow morning, so you will have
the day to yourselves."

With a shout of pleasure the boys started off for a long day in the
cricket field, while Mr. Porson hurried away to catch the stagecoach for
York.

CHAPTER VI: THE THIEF DETECTED

Mr. Porson was in his place next morning, having returned only half
an hour before school began; he looked fagged, and he was scarcely so
attentive as usual to the lessons, his thoughts seeming to be elsewhere.

"He seems regularly done up with his journey," Ripon said as the boys
came out of school.

"I think he is upset about something," Ned remarked. "Sometimes he
hardly seemed paying at