, pack
up your things; you will go to school next morning at eight o'clock."

Mr. Reginald packed accordingly, but that did not occupy long; so he
sallied forth, and, taking for granted that it was Richard Bassett who
had been so mean as to tell, he purchased some paint and brushes and a
rope, and languished until midnight.

But when that magic hour came he was brisk as a bee, let himself down
from his veranda, and stole to Richard Bassett's front door, and
inscribed thereon, in large and glaring letters,

"JERRY SNEAK, ESQ., Tell-Tale Tit."

He then returned home much calmed and comforted, climbed up his rope
and into his room, and there slept sweetly, as one who had discharged
his duty to his neighbor and society in general.

In the morning, however, he was very active, hurried the grooms, and
was off before the appointed time.

Sir Charles came down to breakfast, and lo! young Hopeful gone, without
the awkward ceremony of leave-taking.

Sir Charles found, as usual, many delicacies on his table, and among
them one rarer to him than ortolan, pin-tail, or wild turkey (in which
last my soul delights); for he found a letter from Richard Bassett,
Esq.

"SIR--Some nights since we caught your successor that is to be, at my
dining-room window, prying into my private affairs. Having the honor of
our family at heart, I was about to administer a little wholesome
correction, when he reminded me he had been instrumental in tracking
Miss Bassett, and thereby rescuing her: upon this I was, naturally,
mollified, and sent him about his business, hoping to have seen the
last of him at Highmore.

"This morning my door is covered with opprobrious epithets, and as Mr.
Bassett bought paint and brushes at the shop yesterday afternoon, it is
doubtless to him I am indebted for them.

"I make no comments; I simply record the facts, and put them down to
your credit, and your son's.

"Your obedient servant,

"RICHARD BASSETT."

Lady Bassett did not come down to breakfast that morning; so Sir
Charles digested this dish in solitude.

He was furious with Reginald; but as Richard Bassett's remonstrance was
intended to insult him, he wrote back as follows:

"SIR--I am deeply grieved that a son of mine should descend to look in
at your windows, or to write anything whatever upon your door; and I
will take care it shall never recur.

"Yours obediently,

"CHARLES DYKE BASSETT."

This little correspondence was sal