medicine when it arrived, and lay quiet on the sofa. For a long time the
sedative failed to have any effect. Every five minutes throughout the
day there were knocks at the door. Every one who knew Ned, and many who
did not, called to congratulate him. Some, like Mr. Thompson, made a
half apology for having so long doubted him. A few, like Mr. Simmonds,
were able heartily to assure him that they had never in their hearts
believed it.

Ned was too full of gratitude and happiness to cherish the slightest
animosity, and he received warmly and thankfully the congratulations
which were showered upon him.

"He looks another man," was the universal comment of his visitors; and,
indeed, it was so. The cloud which had so long overshadowed him had
passed away, and the look of cold reserve had vanished with it, and he
was prepared again to receive the world as a friend.

He was most moved when, early in the day, Mr. Porson and the whole of
the boys arrived. As soon as he had left Mrs. Mulready, Dr. Green had
hurried down to the schoolhouse with the news, and Mr. Porson, as soon
as he heard it, had announced it from his desk, adding that after such
news as that he could not expect them to continue their lessons, and
that the rest of the day must therefore be regarded as a holiday. He
yielded a ready assent when the boys entreated that they might go in a
body to congratulate Ned.

Ned was speechless for some time as his old friend wrung his hand,
and his former schoolfellows clustered round him with a very Babel of
congratulations and good wishes. Only the knowledge that his mother was
ill above prevented them from breaking into uproarious cheering.

In the afternoon, hearing that his mother was still awake, Ned,
accompanied by Mr. Porson, went out for a stroll, telling Harriet that
she was to remain at the open door while he was away, so as to prevent
any one from knocking. It was something of a trial to Ned to walk
through the street which he had passed along so many times in the last
year oblivious of all within it. Every man and woman he met insisted on
shaking hands with him. Tradesmen left their shops and ran out to greet
him, and there was no mistaking the general enthusiasm which was felt
on the occasion, and the desire of every one to atone as far as possible
for the unmerited suffering which had been inflicted on him.

When he returned at six o'clock he found Harriet still on the watch, and
she said in low tones that