ld man's breast and he hid his face so that his tears
should not be seen, something fell pat upon the back of his head, making
him look up quickly, to see that he need not feel ashamed of his own,
for his tutor's tears were falling slowly, though there was a contented
look in the old man's face.

"Yes," he said, smiling, "you have made me cry, my boy; but it is
because you have made me happy. You have taught me that I have touched
your young heart and opened the bright well-spring of the true and good
that is in your nature. Fred, my boy," he continued, "you are too young
to know it, so I will tell you: my son, you have just done something
that is very brave and true."

"I?" cried the boy passionately, as he turned away his head. "I have
behaved ill to you who have always been so kind and good, and made my
mother weep for me when she is in such dreadful trouble without."

"And then, my boy, you have come straight to me, your teacher--the poor,
weak, humble servant of his master, who has always striven to lead you
in the right way--and thrown yourself upon my breast and owned your
fault. That is what I mean by saying you have done a very brave thing,
my boy. There, and so you will try now?"

The last words came with a bright and cheerful ring, as Swythe released
the boy and sat back smiling at him and looking proudly into his eyes.

"And so you want to learn to read and write and grow into a wise man who
may some day rule over this land?"

"Oh, I want to learn!" cried the boy, dashing away his last tears. "I
want to be wise and great; but oh, no: I don't want to rule and be King.
I want father to live till I am quite an old man."

"I hope he will!" said Swythe, smiling, and nodding his head pleasantly,
as the boy hurriedly turned the conversation by asking:

"What are you doing there?"

"Making some fresh ink, my boy," was the reply.

"Ink? How?"

"Hah!" cried the monk, chuckling pleasantly; "now the vessel is opened
and eager for the knowledge to be poured in. Question away, Fred, my
son, and mine shall be the task to pour the wisdom in--as far as I have
it," he added, with a sigh.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alfred stood at the great entrance late that afternoon when the loud
barking of the dogs told of the young hunters' return, and as soon as
they came in sight Red cried:

"There, I told you so; Fred's along with old Swythe."

For the monk was s