ecided tone. "We must have no half
measures, my dear; I mean to carry out my plan in its entirety."

"Very well, papa," said Helen quietly; and then to herself, "It is only
for a few days."

"Now, then," said the doctor, "clothes. Ring that bell, Dexter."

The boy ran so eagerly to the bell that he knocked over a light chair,
and left it on the floor till he had rung.

"Oh, I say," he exclaimed; "they go over a deal easier than our forms."

"Never mind the forms now, Dexter. I want you to forget all about the
old school."

"Forget it?" said the boy, with his white forehead puckering up.

"Yes, and all belonging to it. You are now going to be my son."

"But I shall want to go and see the boys sometimes."

"No, sir; you will not."

"But I must go and see Mother Curdley."

"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor. "Well, we shall see. Perhaps she will
be allowed to come and see you."

"Hooray!" cried the boy excitedly; and turning to Helen he obtained
possession of her hand. "I say, save her a bit of that cake."

"She shall have some cake, Dexter," said Helen kindly, for she could not
help, in spite of her annoyance, again feeling pleased with the boy's
remembrance of others.

"And I say," he cried, "when she does come, we'll have a ha'porth o'
snuff screwed up in a bit o' paper, and--has he got any gin?"

"Hush, hush!" whispered Helen.

"But she's so fond of a drop," said the boy earnestly.

"And now," said the doctor; "the next thing is clothes. Ah, Maria, send
Cribb to ask Mr Bleddan to come here directly."

"Yes, sir," said Maria; and after a glance at the boy she closed the
door.

In less than a quarter of an hour Mr Bleddan, the tailor of Coleby, was
there; and Dexter stood up feeling tickled and amused at being measured
for some new clothes which the tailor said should be ready in a week.

"A week!" said the doctor; "but what am I to do now? The boy can't go
like that."

"Ready-made, sir? I've plenty of new and fashionable suits exactly his
size."

"Bring some," said the doctor laconically; "and shirts and stockings and
boots. Everything he wants. Do you understand!"

Mr Bleddan perfectly understood, and Dexter stood with his eyes
sparkling as he heard the list of upper and under garments, boots, caps,
everything which the tailor and clothier considered necessary.

The moment the man had gone, Dexter made a dash to recommence his
Ixion-like triumphal dance, but this time Helen caught