ck completely changed, and the past
history forgotten."

"Sent him to a boarding-school!"

"Well--er! Hum! No, not exactly," said the doctor, pursing up his
lips. "Listen here, my dear. The very thing! just as if fate had come
to my help."

The doctor rustled the paper a little, and then began to read--

"`Backward and disobedient boys.'"

"But Dexter--"

"Hush, my dear; hear it all. Dexter is backward, and he is disobedient;
not wilfully perhaps, but disobedient decidedly. Now listen--

"`Backward and disobedient boys.--The Reverend Septimus Mastrum, MA
Oxon, receives a limited number of pupils of neglected education. Firm
and kindly treatment. Extensive grounds. Healthy situation. For terms
apply to the Reverend Septimus Mastrum, Firlands, Longspruce Station.'"

"There! What do you say to that?" said the doctor.

"I don't know what to say, papa," said Helen rather sadly. "Perhaps you
are right."

"Right!" cried the doctor. "The very thing, my dear. I'll write to Mr
Mastrum at once. Three or four years of special education will be the
making of the boy." The doctor sat down and wrote.

The answer resulted in a meeting in London, where the Reverend Septimus
Mastrum greatly impressed the doctor. Terms were agreed upon, and the
doctor came back.

"Splendid fellow, my dear. Six feet high. Says Mrs Mastrum will act
the part of a mother to the boy."

"Does he seem very severe, papa?"

"Severe, my dear? Man with a perpetual smile on his countenance."

"I do not like men with perpetual smiles on their countenances, papa."

"My dear Helen, do not be so prejudiced," said the doctor angrily. "I
have seen Mr Mastrum: you have not. I have told him everything about
Dexter; he applauds my plan, and assures me that in two or three years I
shall hardly know the boy, he will be so improved." Helen sighed.

"We had a long discussion about my book, and he agrees that I am quite
right. So pray do not begin to throw obstacles in the way."

Helen rose and kissed her father's forehead.

"I am going to do everything I can to aid your plans, papa," she said,
smiling. "Of course I do not like parting with Dexter, and I cannot
help feeling that there is some truth in what you say about a change
being beneficial for a time; but Dexter is a peculiar boy, and I would
rather have had him under my own eye."

"Yes, of course, my dear. Very good of you," said the doctor; "but this
way is the best. Of c