r
cutting into them with the knife which Master Brown has so considerately
lent him, will be to read over the letter from home which lies on the
top of the parcel. He does so, as I remark to Miss Raby (for whom I
happened to be mending pens when the little circumstance arose), with a
flushed face and winking eyes. Look how the other boys are peering into
the basket as he reads.--I say to her, "Isn't it a pretty picture?" Part
of the letter is in a very large hand. This is from his little sister.
And I would wager that she netted the little purse which he has just
taken out of it, and which Master Lynx is eying.

"You are a droll man, and remark all sorts of queer things," Miss Raby
says, smiling, and plying her swift needle and fingers as quick as
possible.

"I am glad we are both on the spot, and that the little fellow lies
under our guns as it were, and so is protected from some such brutal
school-pirate as young Duval for instance, who would rob him, probably,
of some of those good things; good in themselves, and better because
fresh from home. See, there is a pie as I said, and which I dare say is
better than those which are served at our table (but you never take any
notice of such kind of things, Miss Raby), a cake of course, a bottle
of currant-wine, jam-pots, and no end of pears in the straw. With their
money little Briggs will be able to pay the tick which that imprudent
child has run up with Mrs. Ruggles; and I shall let Briggs Major pay for
the pencil-case which Bullock sold to him.--It will be a lesson to the
young prodigal for the future. But, I say, what a change there will be
in his life for some time to come, and at least until his present wealth
is spent! The boys who bully him will mollify towards him, and accept
his pie and sweetmeats. They will have feasts in the bedroom; and that
wine will taste more delicious to them than the best out of the Doctor's
cellar. The cronies will be invited. Young Master Wagg will tell his
most dreadful story and sing his best song for a slice of that pie. What
a jolly night they will have! When we go the rounds at night, Mr. Prince
and I will take care to make a noise before we come to Briggs's room,
so that the boys may have time to put the light out, to push the things
away, and to scud into bed. Doctor Spry may be put in requisition the
next morning."

"Nonsense! you absurd creature," cries out Miss Raby, laughing; and I
lay down the twelfth pen very nicely mende