ething over there. Let's go and see."

We went down along the hedge to the gate, and as soon as we passed
through we could see Burr major standing up tall and thin in the midst
of a group of boys, to whom he was showing something, and, our curiosity
being excited, we strolled up to the group, to find that a general
inspection was going on of a little bright new silver watch which Burr
major had received in a box along with some new clothes that day from
his father in London.

The great tall, thin fellow was giving himself the most ridiculous airs,
and talking in a haughty condescending way to the boys about him, just
as if watches were the commonest things in the world to him.

"Then, you know," he was saying, as we drew nigh, "you press on that
little round place very lightly with your nail, and the back flies
open--see."

He pressed the spring, the back opened, showing the polished interior of
the case, and then shut it with a snap two or three times, the case
flashing in the evening light; and as I glanced at Mercer, I quite
wondered to see the eager look of interest and longing he directed at
that watch.

"I say, how do you wind it up?" cried a small boy.

"Why, you just push the key in that little hole, and turn it a few times
so. Oh, I forgot--I did wind it up before."

"Why, you wound it up six times," said Dicksee, with a sneer.

"Well, it's my own watch, isn't it, stupid? I can wind it up a hundred
times if I like," cried Burr major contemptuously.

"I say, how much did it cost?" said Hodson.

"How should I know? I'm not going to ask my father how much a thing
costs when he gives me a present. Lot of money--ten or fifteen pounds,
I daresay."

"Yah! Silver watches don't cost so much as that," sneered Dicksee.

"Look here, Dicky," cried Burr major, "you're getting too cheeky. I
shall have to take you down a peg or two."

"Oh, never mind old Fatsides," cried another boy. "Here, Burr, old
chap, show us the works."

"Oh, nonsense, boys! I'm going to put it away now," said Burr major,
opening and shutting the back, so as to make a loud snapping noise.

"I say, I should have a gold chain if I were you, Burr," said another
boy.

"No, I don't think I shall," said the big fellow nonchalantly; "not for
school. Silver would be good enough when a fellow's playing cricket or
football."

"Oh, I say, do show us the works!" said the boy who had spoken before.

"Oh, very well. What young noodles