sun, when they might drop up to the
metropolis by train in half the time? Isn't it marvellous?"

"I should like to be going with them," said Tom.

"Well, there's no accounting for tastes. Here's our coach."

"Good-bye, then;" and Tom shook hands, and, leaving the coach to
get packed with portmanteaus, terriers, and undergraduates, he
and Hardy walked off towards the High-street.

"So you're not going to-day?" Hardy said.

"No; two or three of my old schoolfellows are coming up to stand
for scholarships, and I must be here to receive them. But it's
very unlucky; I should have liked so to have been at Henley."

"Look, their carriage is already at the door," said Hardy,
pointing up High-street, into which they now turned. There were a
dozen postchaises and carriages loading in front of different
houses in the street, and amongst them Mr. Winter's old-fashioned
travelling barouche.

"So it is," said Tom; "that's some of uncle's fidgetiness; but he
will be sure to dawdle at the last. Come along in."

"Don't you think I had better stay downstairs? It may seem
intrusive."

"No, come along. Why, they asked you to come and see the last of
them last night, didn't they?"

Hardy did not require any further urging to induce him to follow
his inclination; so the two went up together. The breakfast
things were still on the table, at which sat Miss Winter, in her
bonnet, employed in examining the bill, with the assistance of
Mary, who leant over her shoulder. She looked up as they entered.

"Oh! I'm so glad you are come. Poor Katie is so bothered, and I
can't help her. Do look at the bill; is it all right?"

"Shall I, Katie?"

"Yes, please do. I don't see anything to object to, except,
perhaps, the things I have marked. Do you think we ought to be
charged half a crown a day for the kitchen fire?"

"Fire in June! and you have never dined at home once?"

"No, but we have had tea several times."

"It is a regular swindle," said Tom, taking the bill and glancing
at it. "Here, Hardy, come and help me cut down this precious
total."

They sat down to the bill, the ladies willingly giving place.
Mary tripped off to the glass to tie her bonnet.

"Now that is all right!" she said merrily; "why can't one go on
without bills or horrid money?"

"Ah! why can't one?" said Tom, "that would suit most of our
complaints. But where's uncle; has he seen the bill?"

"No; Papa is in his room; he must not be worried, or the journey