much four times seven is," observed Mr Proctor: and
Hugh started at the words.

"I tell you what, Hugh," continued his father; "if the Crofton people do
not teach you how much four times seven is when you come within four
weeks of next Christmas-day, I shall give you up, and them too, for
dunces all."

All the eyes round the table were fixed on Mr Proctor in an instant.

"There now!" said he, "I have let the cat out of the bag. Look at
Agnes!" and he pinched her crimson cheek.

Everybody then looked at Agnes, except Harry, who was busy looking for
the cat which papa said had come out of mamma's work-bag. Agnes could
not bear the gaze, and burst into tears.

"Agnes has taken more pains to keep the secret than her papa," said Mrs
Proctor. "The secret is, that Hugh is going to Crofton next month."

"Am I ten, then?" asked Hugh, in his hurry and surprise.

"Scarcely; since you were only eight and a quarter yesterday afternoon,"
replied his father.

"I will tell you all about it by-and-by, my dear," said his mother. Her
glance towards Agnes made all the rest understand that they had better
speak of something else now. So Mr Proctor beckoned Harry to come and
see whether the cat had not got into the bag again, as she was not to be
seen anywhere else. It is true, the bag was not much bigger than a
cat's head; but that did not matter to Harry, who never cared for that
sort of consideration, and had been busy for half an hour, the day
before, in trying to put the key of the house-door into the key-hole of
the tea-caddy.

By the time Agnes had recovered herself, and the table was cleared, Miss
Harold had arrived. Hugh brought his books with the rest, but, instead
of opening them, rested his elbow on the uppermost, and stared full at
Miss Harold.

"Well, Hugh!" said she, smiling.

"I have not learned quite down to `Constantinople,'" said he. "Papa
told me I need not, and not to mind you."

"Why, Hugh! Hush!" cried Jane.

"He did,--he said exactly that. But he meant, Miss Harold, that I am to
be a Crofton boy,--directly, next month."

"Then have we done with one another, Hugh?" asked Miss Harold, gently.
"Will you not learn any more from me?"

"That is for your choice, Miss Harold," observed Mrs Proctor. "Hugh
has not deserved the pains you have taken with him: and if you decline
more trouble with him now he is going into other hands, no one can
wonder."

Miss Harold feared that he was but poorly pr