rm, and the band began to tune up. And the
boy who had been sent off the platform to his bobbin frame went up to
the pretty girl who had laughed at his oratorical efforts and asked her
to dance. She made a mocking curtsey, and refused his request, and John
who knew both of them said, "Don't be so saucy, Polly. Samuel will do
better next time." But Polly with a little laugh turned away singing,

"He wears a penny flower in his coat, lah-de-dah!
And a penny paper collar round his throat, lah-de-dah!
In his mouth a penny pick,
In his hand a penny stick,
And a penny in his pocket, lah-de-dah-heigh!"

John and Lugur walked through the village together, and then John
discovered that the remodeling of Yoden was Lugur's gift to the young
people who were really to begin life over again in its comfortable
handsome shelter.

"My father, Colonel Thomas Lugur, died two years ago," said Lugur, "and
as it is now certain that my elder brother was killed in a late Afghan
engagement, I came into the Lugur estate naturally. It is not considered
a very rich one, but it is quite large enough for all the demands I
shall make on it."

Some words of congratulation followed, and then they talked of Harry.
"He has a good heart," said Lugur, "and when I learned you were moving
in such a sensible way for his salvation, I wanted to help. The
improvements I have made at Yoden were not carelessly chosen. Harry
loves beautiful surroundings. They may mean little to you or to me, but
to him they are almost necessary. He is easily persuaded, but you cannot
reason with him. As a general thing you cannot reason with youth. You
may as well try to beat a cloud with a stick. Youth moves in the sublime
region of its own aspirations."

John laughed softly as he answered, "That is the difficult point with
Harry. He cannot find a reality that fills his ideals."

"Well then, Hatton, that is a sign of a rich and varied nature. We must
bear with patience and good nature Harry's gushing, little
condescensions, for he really thinks the majority of his elders to be
grossly ignorant, perverse, and cynical. Yet he really loves us in spite
of our faults, so I think we must be lenient with his faults."

Lugur's ideas exactly fitted John's and as the men parted Lugur said, "I
foresee that we shall be friends. Call on me, if in the bad days coming
I can help you."

"I will do so gladly, Lugur"--and then a silent clasp of their hands