ngs. Raymond did not seem on very good terms with his
landlady. The tea was a long time coming; and when at length it did
make its appearance, the fare consisted only of bread and butter, and a
half-empty pot of jam.

"Sorry I can't offer you anything more," remarked the host, "but just
now I've run rather short of cash. Better luck next time."

As soon as the meal was over, Raymond repeated his proposal that they
should visit the fair.

"It's an awful joke," he said. "I'm going, and you chaps may as well
come along too."

"It's all very well for you to go," answered Jack, "but with us it's
different. Any one can see by our hat-bands that we belong to the
school; and if it gets to Westford's ears that we've been, we shall
stand a jolly good chance of being expelled."

"Oh, well! if you're afraid, don't go," answered Raymond, with a sneer.
"I thought you were a chap who didn't care for anything. Will you go,
Rosher?"

"I don't mind."

"Come on, then; don't let's stick here all the evening."

The four boys put on their hats and sauntered out into the street.
Valentine said good-night, and turned off in the direction of the
school; but Jack lingered behind with the other two.

"That's right," said Raymond, taking his arm; "I knew you'd come."

The evening was always the gayest part of the day at Melchester Fair.
Crowds of people from the town and surrounding neighbourhood jostled
each other in the open spaces between the tents and booths, while the
noise of bands, steam-organs, and yelling showmen was something
terrific.

"I say, have either of you fellows got change for a sovereign?" asked
Raymond. "You haven't? well, you pay, and I'll settle up with you some
other time."

The boys wandered round the field, listening to the cheap Jacks, and
the proprietors of various exhibitions, which were all "just a-goin' to
begin." They patronized a shooting-gallery, where they fired down long
tubes with little rifles, which made the marksman's hands very black,
and seemed to carry round the corner. Jack, however, succeeded in
hitting the bull's-eye, and ringing the bell, and was rewarded with a
handful of nuts.

"Come on," said Rosher; "let's have a turn on the wooden horses," and
the party accordingly moved off in the direction of the nearest
round-about. The steeds were three abreast, and Raymond mounted the
one on the outside. A little group of factory boys were standing close
by, and, just as the engi