Jove! it was a near shave, and puss only just saved her skin by bolting
across the lawn and jumping into the beech-tree. But the worst of it
was, that while I was staring through the window old Tomkins was
whispering something or other to Miss Brown, and as neither of us was
watching her cup it moved a little to one side, and before I knew what
was happening the cream was pouring down her dress. Mother says it was
a brand-new one on that day, and that's perhaps why the old lady looked
at me so funnily. She said it didn't matter, but I could see she was
just boiling, and felt glad to get away. Then, of course, Mother had
something to say to me, and Frank called me a clumsy beggar. That's all
I got for trying to be polite. But I'll do what I can to learn; see if
I don't, Father!"

"Ha, ha, ha! That was an unfortunate beginning!" laughed Captain
Somerton. "I can well imagine poor Mrs Tomkins' disgust. You must be
more careful next time. Stick to it, old boy! There are lots of other
ways in which you can show your politeness, and if handing tea or cream
is too much for you, you must leave it alone for a while."

Jack was not discouraged by the want of success which attended his first
attempt. He was an observant lad, and quickly picked up his brother's
manners, so much so that when the holidays were over, and he returned to
school, his chums noticed that "Toby" was strangely altered. Out in the
playing-fields he was still the same jolly, noisy fellow, always ready
for a bit of fun. But at meal-times there was something different about
him; he was quieter and more polished.

And the change, little as it was valued by his schoolfellows, rapidly
caught the attention of his masters, and in consequence they took more
notice of him, and became quite attached to the lad.

But in spite of this change in Jack, he led the way in all outdoor
games, and indeed was as noisy and high-spirited as ever. So that
during holiday times he and Frank still differed vastly from one
another. The latter had now donned the very highest of stick-up
collars, and his ties were a source of the greatest anxiety to him. In
addition, owing to Mrs Somerton's foolishness, his allowance of ready
money enabled him to do as he wished as regards his clothes. And in
consequence, he was never happier than when at his tailor's, trying on
some new suit.

To many other boys this is a great pleasure, and indeed it is a
gratifying thing to see a