get one of my uncle's men to carry it, and wait for an answer: and
then you will not be long in suspense, at any rate."

"I wish I dare!"

Holt was not long in passing from wishing to daring. He wrote a letter,
which Hugh thought would do, though he rather wished Holt had not
mentioned him as instigating the act. This was the letter:

"The Mill, _January 6th_.

"Dear Sir,

"I am very unhappy; and Proctor thinks I had better tell you what is
upon my mind. I owe some money, and I do not see how I can ever pay
it, unless you will help me. You know I have owed Proctor sixpence
for ginger-beer, this long time; and as Lamb has never paid him his
share, Proctor cannot excuse me this debt. Then I owe a boy a
shilling, lent me for school-fines; and he never lets me alone about
it. Then I was led into betting a shilling on a balloon, and I lost;
and so I owe half-a-crown. If you would lend me that sum, sir, I
shall be obliged to you for ever, and I shall never forget it.

"Yours respectfully,

"Thomas Holt."

Mr Shaw's man George carried the letter; but he brought back neither
letter nor money: only a message that Mr Tooke would call; which put
Holt into a great fright, and made Hugh rather uneasy.

There was no occasion for this, however. Mr Tooke came alone into the
room where the boys were sitting; and neither Mr nor Mrs Shaw appeared
during the whole time of his visit: a thing which was rather odd, but
which the boys were very glad of. When Mr Tooke had told them a little
of some new boys expected after the holidays, he said:

"Well, now, Holt, let us see what can be done about your affairs."

Holt looked uneasy; for it seemed as if Mr Tooke was not going to lend
him the money,--or to give it, which was what he had hoped, while using
the word "lend."

"I am glad you asked me," continued Mr Tooke; "for people, whether they
be men or boys, can usually retrieve their affairs when they have
resolution to face their difficulties. There is no occasion to say
anything about how you got into debt. We must consider how you are to
get out of it."

"That is very kind indeed!" exclaimed Holt.

"As to my lending you half-a-crown," continued Mr Tooke, "that would
not be helping you out of debt; for if you had had any prospect of being
able to pay half-a-crown, you would not have needed to apply to me at
all."

Holt sighed. Mr Tooke went on.

"I cannot give you the money. I have le