lace.'

"When nurse had said all that was in her mind, she became more calm
upon the subject of Bernard's going to school; and so thoroughly did
the child tease during the few days that passed before he went, that
she was almost obliged to confess to herself that it was not altogether
a very bad thing that he was to have lessons to learn, and some
employment from home during part of every day.

"But when Bernard was actually to go, there was such a to-do about it,
that he might just as well have stayed at home, as to any good which
might be expected from it in the way of making him think less of
himself.

[Illustration: "_But when Bernard was actually to go there was such a
to-do about it._"--Page 332.]

"Lucilla had had a little pony for several years; this pony was to be
saddled for Bernard, and he was to ride to and from school, whilst a
servant attended him. His mother took the occasion to send a present of
fruit and nice vegetables by this servant to Miss Grizzy; and there was
a note written to Mr. Evans all about Bernard, and a great deal said in
it about getting his feet wet; and shoes were sent that he might change
them when he came in from play. Nurse also was sent down about two
hours after him, with some messages to Miss Evans and to hear how the
darling got on.

"Bernard was very sulky all that first morning. He was quite eight
years old; Mr. Evans therefore was much surprised at his being a very
poor reader. Indeed he could not in any way stammer out the first
chapter in the Bible, and Mr. Evans was obliged to put him into the
spelling-book at the first page. He called him up between each Latin
lesson he gave, but found that each time he called him, he read rather
worse than the time before. The simple truth is that he did not choose
to do better.

"Griffith whispered to Meekin, the last time Bernard was up, 'Mind what
I say, he is no better than a fool;' and Meekin passed the same words
to Price, and then it was a settled thing with these three boys, that
Bernard Low was a fool, and a very proper person to play any fun upon.

"But whilst these boys were settling this matter amongst them, Miss
Grizzy had sent for Stephen into the parlour, and given him some of the
fine pears and walnuts which Mrs. Low had sent.

"'Here, nephew,' she said, 'is the earnest of many more little presents
which we may expect; but everything depends on your behaviour to the
boy. We must keep him in good humour--we must s