y suffered no real danger. The boy, rolling down
three or four feet of bank, had then fallen down six or eight feet into
deep water. He might, no doubt, have been much hurt. He might have
struck against a rock and have been killed,--in which case Mr. Peacocke's
prowess would have been of no avail. But nothing of this kind happened.
Little Jack De Lawle was put to bed in one of the Rectory bed-rooms, and
was comforted with sherry-negus and sweet jelly. For two days he rejoiced
thoroughly in his accident, being freed from school, and subjected only to
caresses. After that he rebelled, having become tired of his bed. But by
that time his mother had been most unnecessarily summoned. Unless she was
wanted to examine the forlorn condition of his clothes, there was nothing
that she could do. But she came, and, of course, showered blessings on
Mr. Peacocke's head,--while Mrs. Wortle went through to the school and
showered blessings on Mrs. Peacocke. What would they have done had the
Peacockes not been there?

"You must let them have their way, whether for good or bad," the Doctor
said, when his assistant complained rather of the blessings,--pointing out
at any rate their absurdity. "One man is damned for ever, because, in the
conscientious exercise of his authority, he gives a little boy a rap which
happens to make a small temporary mark on his skin. Another becomes a
hero because, when in the equally conscientious performance of a duty, he
gives himself a ducking. I won't think you a hero; but, of course, I
consider myself very fortunate to have had beside me a man younger than
myself, and quick and ready at such an emergence. Of course I feel
grateful, but I shan't bother you by telling you so."

But this was not the end of it. Lady De Lawle declared that she could not
be happy unless Mr. and Mrs. Peacocke would bring Jack home for the
holidays to De Lawle Park. Of course she carried her blessings up into
Mrs. Peacocke's little drawing-room, and became quite convinced, as was
Mrs. Wortle, that Mrs. Peacocke was in all respects a lady. She heard of
Mr. Peacocke's antecedents at Oxford, and expressed her opinion that they
were charming people. She could not be happy unless they would promise to
come to De Lawle Park for the holidays. Then Mrs. Peacocke had to explain
that in her present circumstances she did not intend to visit anywhere.
She was very much flattered, and delighted to think that the dear little