voice that forced both other brothers to listen, 'you know,
each of you, that father is too busy to look after you; so Mr. Price is
set over you, and he is on honour--being a gentleman, you
understand--not to take advantage of father's preoccupation to give you
such holidays as you have no right to have. Already they say your work
is far too light, and I know Mr. Vesey has again and again urged father
to send you both to a public school. When the book is done, and sent
to the publishers, father means to see about it seriously. You've
called Mr. Price a great many bad names to-day, but you can't call him
dishonourable; that's one point in his favour, and it's but fair that
we should allow him what we can. It would have been so easy for him to
grant this favour----'

'Humph!' interrupted Alick, as if to say, 'Oh, you're coming round to
our view, are you? I thought you would!'

'Quite easy!' repeated the young girl gravely. 'And there's another
thing: if it would have been such a pleasure to you, think what it
would have been to Mr. Price to get rid of such tiresome plagues as
yourselves for a whole day!'

In a flash Alick remembered the recent words of old Binks to the same
effect. For the second time the novel idea of how irksome he and Geoff
must be to their much-tried tutor presented itself, to the resentful
boy's secret astonishment.

'I am sure,' Theo began again, and still more gravely, 'you boys must
remember that the Bible tells us to respect those appointed to be
rulers over us.'

'Don't preach!' Alick rudely cut her short; but Geoff bit his lip. He
was already bitterly ashamed of his morning's exploit, and tender,
serious words from Theo never failed to touch him to the heart.

Left to himself, Geoff was undoubtedly one of those who, amid good
surroundings, would have kept on the straight path easily enough. So
could many. But human nature is, for the most part, made up of Alicks
as well as Geoffs--of boys who wilfully choose to do wrong and to stray
from duty. Like the genuine wheat and the tares, all must grow
together side by side--in the meantime.

'I didn't intend to preach, Alick,' rejoined Theo gently. 'I only want
to ask you boys to show that you also are gentlemen, in the true sense
of the word, by frankly begging Mr. Price's pardon, when he comes
to-morrow, for your rude outbreak of this morning. It is the least you
can do, to make amends for an almost unpardonable insult.'

The