hat's right. I'm very, very glad, and I feel quite grateful to the
Danbys. You must give Dexter a few hints about behaving himself, and,
so to speak, keeping down his exuberance when he is there."

"May I say a word, papa!"

"Certainly, my dear; of course."

"Well, then, I have an idea of my own with respect to Dexter."

"Ah, that's right," said the doctor, smiling and rubbing his hands.
"What is it!"

"I have been thinking over it all a great deal, dear," said Helen, going
to her father's side and resting her hand upon his shoulder; "and it
seems to me that the way to alter and improve Dexter will be by
example."

"Ah yes, I see; example better than precept, eh!"

"Yes. So far his life has been one of repression and the severest
discipline."

"Yes, of course. Cut down; tied down, and his natural growth stopped.
Consequently wild young shoots have thrust themselves out of his
nature."

"That is what I mean."

"Quite right, my dear; then we will give him as much freedom as we can.
You will give him a hint or two, though."

"I will do everything I can, papa, to make him presentable."

"Thank you, my dear. Yes, these boys will become great companions, I
can see. Brave little fellow! I am very, very much pleased."

The doctor forgot all about the broken branch, and Dexter's spoiled suit
of clothes, and Helen went to see whether the boy had obeyed the last
command.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

DAN'L IS TOO ATTENTIVE.

Things were not quite so smooth as Dr Grayson thought, for there had
been stormy weather at Sir James's.

"Well, my dear, you are my husband, and it is my duty to obey," said
Lady Danby; "but I do protest against my darling son being forced to
associate with a boy of an exceedingly low type."

"Allow me, my dear," said Sir James importantly. "By Dr Grayson's act,
in taking that boy into his house, he has wiped away any stigma which
may cling to him; and I must say that the lad displayed a great deal of
animal courage--that kind of brute courage which comes from an ignorance
of danger."

"Is it animal courage not to be afraid of animals, ma?" said Master
Edgar.

"Yes, my dear, of course," said Lady Danby.

"I wish Edgar would display courage of any kind," said Sir James.

"Why, you ran away from the bulls too, papa," said Master Edgar.

"I am a great sufferer from nervousness, Edgar," said Sir James
reprovingly; "but we were not discussing that question. Dr Grayson has
accept