ok it too" (the Doctor made an inarticulate protest, while Dick
stared, incredulous), "will you undertake to behave better for the
future--will you?"

Dick's voice broke at this, and his eyes swam--he was effectually
conquered. "Oh, I will!" he cried, "I will, really. I never meant to go
so far when I began."

"Then, Dr. Grimstone," said Paul, "you will do me a great favour if you
will take no further notice of this. You see the boy is sorry, and I am
sure he will apologise to you amply for the grave slight he has done
you. And by the way--I should have mentioned it before--but he will have
to leave your care at the end of the term for a public school--I intend
to send him to Harrow, so he will require some additional preparation,
perhaps: I may leave that in your hands?"

Dr. Grimstone looked deeply offended, but he only said, "I will see to
that myself, my dear sir. I am sorry you did not tell me this earlier.
But, may I suggest that a large public school has its pitfalls for a
boy of your son's disposition? And I trust this leniency may not have
evil consequences, but I doubt it--I greatly doubt it."

As for Dick, he ran to his father, and hung gratefully on to his arm
with a remorseful hug, a thing he had never dared to do, or thought of
attempting, in his life till then.

"Dad," he said in a choked voice, "you're a brick! I don't deserve any
of it, but I'll never forget this as long as I live."

Mr. Bultitude too, felt something spring up in his heart which drew him
towards the boy in an altogether novel manner, but no one will say that
either was the worse for it.

"Well," he said mildly, "prove to me that I have made no mistake. Go
back to Crichton House now, work and play well, and try to keep out of
mischief for the rest of the term. I trust to you," he added, in a lower
tone, "while you remain at Market Rodwell, to keep my--my connection
with it a secret; you owe that at least to me. You may probably
have--ahem, some inconveniences to put up with--inconveniences you are
not prepared for. You must bear them as your punishment."

And soon afterwards a cab was called, and Dr. Grimstone prepared to
return to Market Rodwell, with the deserter, by the last train.

As Paul shook hands through the cab window with his prodigal son, he
repeated his warning. "Mind," he said, "_you_ have been at school all
this past week; you have run away to attend this party, you understand?
Good-bye, my boy, and here's someth