r Jack, he was working, absolutely working hard, instead of playing
with his tasks. The redoubtable Johnson was constrained to take a
second place in the class as a permanency nowadays, and hopes of the
scholarship grew apace in the parental heart. Jack did not appreciate
home references to his newly-developed industry, and, so strange and
unaccountable a thing is schoolboy nature, that when Betty injudiciously
remarked on his "goodness," he "slacked it" of intent for a whole week,
just to have the satisfaction of telling her of his descent in the
class. Not for all the riches in the world would he have explained the
real reason for the change, but those three words, "the Captain's
orders!" rang in his ears like a battle-cry, and the voice within gave
him no peace if he did less than his best. Poor General Digby! It
seemed hard that he should be denied the exquisite satisfaction of
knowing what good he had been the means of working; but, though Jack's
lips were sealed on this point, he showed an appreciation of that
gentleman's company and an affectionate forethought for his comfort
which were very comforting to a lonely bachelor. It became a habit to
drop in at the flat for a cup of tea and half an hour's chat on the way
home from school, and to accompany the General for a walk on Sunday
afternoons. Dr and Mrs Trevor were pleased that the boy should be
brought so much in contact with a man for whom their admiration and
respect increased more and more with better acquaintance, for the
General's faults were all on the surface, and behind the loud voice and
irascible mien were hidden a child-like faith and purity of heart.

And then one day an extraordinary thing happened! Talk of story-books,
as Betty said,--talk of three volume novels,--talk of a whole
circulating library at once, and never, no never, could you think of
anything more exciting or romantic!

Mrs Trevor had invited Miss Beveridge to spend Sunday at Number 1, in
response to a plaintive appeal from her eldest daughter.

"She weighs on my mind like a lump of lead, for I know Mrs Vanburgh
thinks I'm mean never to have asked her here, but I really can't contend
with her alone, she is so frightfully snubbing and superior. If you
would let her come some Sunday when everyone is at home, and you are not
busy all the time, we could take turns at entertaining her. I'd love
you for ever and ever if you only would!"

"Well--it's a big bribe!" said Mrs Trev