l it my business to give you advice. I shall be in about tea-time,
when we can be sure of a quiet chat."

"Thanks, Doctor," replied Jack. "You can expect me at the time you
mention."

On the following afternoon, therefore, Jack mounted his pony and rode
through the village and away up the hill to the doctor's house.

"Now, my boy, what are you going to do with yourself?" asked the doctor,
when they had finished their tea and were strolling in the garden.

"Well, first of all, as you know, Doctor, I am not to go back to school.
I am awfully sorry, as I have been very happy there, and we hoped to
pull off some good cricket matches this term. But now that is all
knocked on the head for me. Do you know, I believe Father had some kind
of feeling that something was going to happen to him, for he left a
letter with the lawyer instructing me to leave school and begin coaching
for the army immediately his death occurred. He mentioned that he would
like me to read at home with Frank, but really, Doctor, I feel more
inclined to go straight up to London, as I had intended all along. You
know Frank and I are not too friendly. We don't get on well together;
and I'm afraid I don't hit it off very well with Mother either."

"Yes, I know that, my boy. It's very unfortunate," remarked Dr Hanly.
"Still, it is the case. I believe you will do well to go up to London
at an early date, for, if I am any judge, you are still more likely to
quarrel at home now that there is no one to keep the peace. Think it
over, and if you make up your mind to do as I say, come over and see me
again, and we will arrange to go up together. London is a very big
place, and it is a good thing to have a friend or two there when you go.
I have many, and will ask them to look after you. Take your time about
deciding. It would not do to leave home immediately after your father's
death."

Jack rode slowly back to the Grange, and long before he got there had
come to the decision that it would be best for all if he left home and
went up to the big city.

"We're certain to have rows if I stay," he thought. "Then perhaps Frank
will try to boss me, as he has tried before; so, altogether, I shall be
doing everyone a good turn by going."

His conviction was strengthened during the next few days, for the very
sight of him seemed to be an annoyance to his stepmother. The truth
was, that Mrs Somerton was highly incensed at the contents of her
husband's wi