uck! Toby'll give 'em
beans!" muttered in very audible tones, and with every sign of
satisfaction.

If it was wet, and outdoor games were impossible, Jack was to be found
in the gymnasium, or in the workshop, using his hands as best he could,
and learning to be dexterous with his fingers.

Thus, in one way and another, he spent his days. The terms rapidly
succeeded one another, and almost before he could realise it, he was one
of the big boys of the school. At home matters seemed to have improved,
and separation had certainly had the effect of making Frank more
friendly. But still he was not quite the fellow that Jack was
accustomed to. Any attempt to rag or scuffle annoyed him, and sent him
upstairs to rearrange his clothing; and as for a rough-and-tumble game
of football, he looked on at such a thing with horror, as he also did at
Jack's venturesome attempts to ride a wild young colt which was out to
grass in the paddock. Such recklessness was beyond his comprehension;
he could not understand Jack's high spirits, and always endeavoured to
curb them as if he were in charge of him.

"Take him easy, Jack!" said Captain Somerton one day, noticing the
difference between his sons. "Frank is not used to your rough ways.
'Pon my word, you are like a young bull in a china shop! I hear your
shouts and your romping all over the house. But there, don't let me
discourage you. I love to hear it. It wakes the old place up. But be
careful, Jack, and if you can, endeavour to copy Frank in politeness.
See how well he behaves at meals, and notice how at afternoon-tea he
helps your mother when we have callers. Everyone remarks upon his
manners, and I can tell you, old boy, you should take a leaf from his
book. I like to see you in good spirits, but I also wish you to be well
accustomed to the ways of the people you will meet Remember this,
politeness is never thrown away; the smallest attention to your elders--
the mere opening of a door--is never forgotten, and has before now
helped many a man on in the world."

"Very well, Father, I'll do my best," replied Jack heartily. "But I'm
an awful bungler, I am afraid. Only yesterday I tried to do as Frank
does, and handed round the cream at tea in the drawing-room. I felt
just like an elephant; my feet got in the way, and I almost came a
cropper on the floor. Then, just as I was helping that old Mrs
Tomkins, I caught sight of Spot racing round the house after a cat. By