ly
in the toils.

"If it were for nothing more than the moral training it gives a man,"
said Charlie--"for the pluck, manliness, and endurance it puts into
him--we couldn't over-estimate the value of athletics; could we, sir?"

"No--er--that is to say--"

"Why, look at Jim, here! Upon my word, sir, if you'll excuse me saying
it, it does you the greatest credit the way he has been brought up to
value healthy exercise. Why, there are some parents and guardians who,
instead of encouraging that sort of thing, would positively so far wrong
their sons as to forbid it. I can't make out that sort of training, can
you?"

"Eh? Well, possibly not," faltered the uncle, turning very red.

"Of course not, and you'll have your reward in seeing Jim turn out a far
better clergyman than your mollycoddles, who don't know the way to look
their fellow-men straight in the face. Jim, old man, you've had my cup
up there ten minutes; hand it up."

Jim filled it to overflowing, as a token, perhaps, of the gratitude of
his heart towards his champion, and forthwith handed it up.

"And _a propos_ of that," pursued Charlie, having gulped down his
coffee, "you are just come up here in the nick of time, for there's a
glorious football-match on to-day--"

The uncle groaned and the aunt fidgeted.

"In which Jim is playing, and no one deserves the honour better. You
must come and see it by all means. Eh, Jim?"

"Rather," said Jim; "it would never do to miss it, especially as Newcome
is playing against us. The worst of it is, as we are both engaged,
there will be no one to pilot you about."

"I shall be very glad," said Reader--though, if truth must be told, his
politeness cost him an effort--"if your uncle and aunt will let me. I'm
almost as great a stranger, though, in the town as they are."

"You are very kind, sir," said Jim's aunt, who had been long since
gained over by the enemy. "We shall be most pleased to have your
escort. Eh, my love? Besides, we shall help to keep you out in the
fresh air for once. But, James," she said, "I can't get over you and
Mr Newcome being opponents in this match and yet such friends."

Every one laughed at this, and Charlie confided to the good lady his
fixed determination of breaking her nephew's legs before the day was
out--a purpose which, from the speaker's point of view, she could not
help admitting was a laudable one.

Thus the breakfast ended very satisfactorily for everyone except t