a delightful arrangement
when he was pulled up short by the thought that the very next north-east
gale would send in breakers, and knock his inclined plane all to pieces.

"For me to read, uncle," he said.

The doctor nodded.

"Then you'll want to go back."

"Yes, and you must stay by yourself."

Vane rose and went to the looking-glass, stared at his lips, made a
grimace and returned.

"I say, uncle, do I look so very horrid?" he said.

"That eye's not ornamental, my boy."

"No, but shall you mind very much?"

"I? Not at all."

"Then I shall come back with you."

"Won't be ashamed to be seen?"

"Not I," said Vane; "I don't care, and I should like to be at home when
Mr Deering comes."

"Why?"

"He may be able to get me engaged somewhere in town."

"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor. "Want to run away from us then, now we
are poor."

"Uncle!" shouted Vane, fiercely indignant; but he saw the grim smile on
the old man's countenance, and went close up and took his arm. "You
didn't mean that," he continued. "It's because I want to get to work so
as to help you and aunt now, instead of being a burden to you."

"Don't want to go, then?"

Vane shook his head sadly. "No, uncle, I've been so happy at home, but
of course should have to go some day."

"Ah, well, there is no immediate hurry. We'll wait. I don't think that
Mr Deering is quite the man I should like to see you with in your first
start in life. I'm afraid, Vane, boy, that he is reckless. Yesterday,
I thought him unprincipled too, but he is behaving like a man of honour
in coming down to see me, and show me how he went wrong. It's a sad
business, but I daresay we shall get used to it after a time."

The journey back was made so that they reached home after dark, Vane
laughingly saying that it would screen him a little longer, and almost
the first person they encountered was Mr Deering himself.

"Hah, Doctor," he said quietly, "I'm glad you're come back. I only
reached here by the last train."

The doctor hesitated a moment, and then shook hands.

"Well, youngster," said the visitor, "I suppose you have not set the
Thames on fire yet."

"No," said Vane, indignantly, for their visitor's manner nettled him,
"and when I try to, I shall set to work without help."

Deering's eyes flashed angrily.

"Vane!" said Aunt Hannah, reproachfully.

"You forget that Mr Deering is our guest, Vane," said the doctor.

"Yes, uncle, I forgot that."