id I; `besides,
of what earthly use are Latin and Greek, I should like to know?'

"`Fellows can't get along in the learned professions without them,' said
a boy whom we named Tiddler. He was a follower of Turner, and usually
kept pretty near him in the class.

"`Very true,' said I, with a look of mock respect; `but as none of us
intend to enter the learned professions except _Doctor_ Tiddler and
_Professor_ Turner, _we_ don't want Latin or Greek; what _we_ want is
fun.'

"`Hear! hear!' burst from Spinks, who was an impressionable little
fellow, and easily influenced for good or evil. His exclamation was so
genuine and heartfelt that there was a general laugh, and one of the
boys suggested that, as little Spinks did not mean to go in for any of
the learned professions, they should elect him `Professor of Fun.' This
was unanimously agreed to.

"`But, come,' said I, jumping down, `we must not spend all the evening
here idling. What shall we do?'

"`Go an' study Greek,' said the newly-elected Professor of Fun; a
suggestion which was received with a shout of derisive laughter.

"`I should like to have some of old Maggie's apples for supper,' said I.

"`But who's to crib them?' asked a large-headed boy, whose appearance
reminded one of a tadpole.

"`Little Spinks, of course,' said I. `Come, be off--and be sure that
you take good ones. I'll follow, and watch to see that no mischief
happens to you.'

"`It's a shame to rob the poor old woman,' said Tiddler. `I'll have
nothing to do with it. I'm sure that Tom Turner would object if he were
here.'

"`Oh! you needn't come if you're afraid,' said I, with a sneer; `and if
there are any other cowardly Turnerites here, they may join you.
Whoever has got pluck will follow the Frees. Lead on, Spinks!'

"The greater number of the boys followed me; and from that date the
school was divided into two sections--Turnerites and Frees.

"We went straight to the back wall of old Maggie's garden, and I helped
little Spinks over, desiring him to gather a capful and fetch them, and
then he could return for more if thought desirable.

"My enemy Turner was fond of old Maggie, and frequently went to see her
and have a chat. It chanced that he was visiting her on the evening we
had decided to steal her apples. While sitting beside her, listening as
earnestly to a prolonged and graphic account of the old woman's troubles
as if he had been the minister of the parish, he chanced