ngular young
fellow, so quiet yet so determined; the influence he has over the lads
of his own age is immense."

"He is more than singular," Mr. Merton said warmly; "he is
extraordinary. You only see one side of his character, I see both. As a
scholar he is altogether remarkable. He could carry off any open
scholarship at Cambridge, and could take away the highest honours; he
could pass high up among the wranglers even now, and has a broad and
solid knowledge of other subjects."

"Indeed!" Mr. Dodgson said, surprised; "this is quite new to me. I know
that he studies hard privately, and that he went over to see you once a
month, but I had no idea that his acquirements were anything
exceptional, and, indeed, although his speech is often superior to that
of the other young fellows, he often makes mistakes in grammar and
pronunciation."

Mr. Merton laughed. "That is one of his peculiarities; he does not wish
to be thought above his fellows: look at his dress, now! But if you saw
him with me, and heard him talking with the first men of education and
science in Birmingham you would share the astonishment they often
express to me, and would take him not only for a young gentleman, but
for one of singular and exceptionally cultured mind."

Jack's attire, indeed--it was after the conclusion of the cricket-match,
and he had changed his clothes--was that of the ordinary pitman in his
Sunday suit. A black cutaway coat, badly fitting, and made by the
village tailor, a black waistcoat and trousers, with thick high-low
shoes. His appearance had attracted the attention of Miss Merton, who,
as he approached her, held out her hand.

"How are you, Jack? What on earth have you been doing to yourself? You
look a complete guy in these clothes. I was half tempted to cut you
downright."

Jack laughed.

"This is my Sunday suit, Miss Merton, it is just the same as other
people's."

"Perhaps it is," the girl said, laughing, and looking round with just a
little curl of her lip; "but you know better, Jack: why should you make
such a figure of yourself?"

"I dress here like what I am," Jack said simply, "a pitman. At your
house I dress as one of your father's guests."

"I suppose you please yourself, and that you always do, Mr. Jack
Simpson; you are the most obstinate, incorrigible--"

"Ruffian," Jack put in laughing.

"Well, I don't know about ruffian," the girl said, laughing too; "but,
Jack, who is that girl watching us, the quie