swered for her brother that he would receive Master Bernard and give
him every care; 'and for me, sir,' she added, 'I promise you that the
young gentleman shall have the best of everything our poor table will
afford.'

"'I wish,' replied Mr. Low, 'that he may be treated exactly as the
other boys, my good madam, and no bustle whatever made with him.'

"Soon after Mr. Low was gone, Mr. Evans and his nephew, and three
pupils, passed the parlour window. Miss Grizzy tapped on the glass, and
beckoned to her brother to come to her, which he did, immediately
followed by his nephew.

"'Who do you think has been here, brother, whilst you have been out?'
said she; 'who but Mr. Low?' and she told him what Mr. Low had come
for, and that she had undertaken that Master Bernard should be
received.

"'Very good, sister,' replied Mr. Evans, 'all is well;' and he went out
again at the parlour door, seeming to be much pleased. Stephen remained
behind, and the moment the door was shut, he said:

"'You seem to be much set up, Aunt Grizzy, at the thought of this boy's
coming; you must know, surely, that he is a shocking spoiled child, and
that there will be no possibility of pleasing him.'

"'We must try, however,' answered Miss Evans; 'I know, as well as you
can do, what he is, a little proud, petted, selfish thing: for is he
not the talk of the parish? I have often wondered how Mr. Low could
have been so long blind to the need of sending him to school; but then
think, nephew, Mr. Low offers as much as if the boy boarded here
entirely, and he is only to dine; and I doubt not but that there will
be pretty presents too--you know that both Mr. and Mrs. Low are very
thoughtful in that way.'

"'But if you can't keep the little plague in good humour,' answered
Stephen, 'instead of presents we may have disputes and quarrels; and
where will you be then, aunt?'

"'I hope, Stephen, that you will not be creating these quarrels; that
you will bear and forbear, and pay Master Low proper respect, and see
that Meekin and Griffith and Price do the same: you know well that not
one of them are of such high families as Master Low.'

"'You had best not say that to Griffith, aunt,' answered Stephen; 'he
has a very high notion, I can tell you, of his family, though his
father is only a shopkeeper.'

"Miss Evans put up her lip and said:

"'Well, mind me, Stephen, no quarrelling, I say, with Master Low, at
least on your part; so now walk off to your p