he rest of the family crowded in, and, bit by bit, Alick's
tale was told to his wondering hearers.

'Well, well, boy,' said the captain, putting his arms round the neck of
his prodigal son, 'your precious escapade has taught you one stern
lesson among others, and that is, there's no place like home as yet.'

Alick hung his head to hide his shamed face. How good everybody was to
him! The kindness seemed to stab him through and through. Father's
arm round his neck; one hand clasped by Theo's, and the other hugged up
in both of Queenie's fat, warm little hands; and Geoff devouring him
with eyes dilated with joyful pride over his brother's safe return.
And never a harsh word had passed any one's lips! Such treatment to a
character of Alick's type was the keenest of punishment.

Under another Northbourne roof another penitent was confessing his
folly that same evening.

'No, granny, never, never will I stir out o' Northbourne, now I've had
the luck to get back to it!' ended Ned, after relating his adventures
in his absence.

'Not even if so be as they can't find the North Pole without 'ee to
help 'em, eh, my lad?' asked granny slyly, across the supper-table.
The old woman had much ado to hide her joy over Ned's return.

Ned coloured, and hung his head abashed. 'Oh, well, I expec' they can
manage without me and Muster Alick!' he stammered at last.

'That's true enough! Depend upon it, Ned, if the Lord needs you, He
will shape the way for you, plain as plain. Meantime, it looks as if
He meant you to bide here, seein' as how in His goodness He has bringed
you back to us. And you just try to remember all your life through, my
lad, what the Book tells us--that "Godliness with contentment is great
gain."'

It is a year ago exactly since 'The Theodora' sank to the bottom of the
blue waters in the bay where she still lies. Time has wrought and
brought many changes in Northbourne, as time will. Over at the
Vicarage is the greatest change, for the good old parson has gone home
to--

That sweet and blessed country
That eager hearts expect';

and his frail, ailing widow has been taken away to dwell with distant
relatives. But Binks, under a new master, is still the handy-man;
while Splutters and Shutters have become sedate members of society, for
their new proprietor is Philip Price, than whom few know better the
true secret of ruling.

Yes, the young tutor is now restored to health and strength. The fi