and for the dear little
baby, were first poured out; then came hopes that Norman was well, as
they had not seen him at church yesterday.

"Thank you, he was kept at home by a bad headache, but it is better
to-day."

"We came to congratulate you on his success--we could not help it--it
must have been such a pleasure to you."

"That it was!" exclaimed Ethel, pleased at participation in her
rejoicing. "We were so surprised."

Flora gave a glance of warning, but Ethel's short-sighted eyes were
beyond the range of correspondence, and Miss Anderson continued. "It
must have been a delightful surprise. We could hardly believe it when
Harvey came in and told us. Every one thought Forder was sure, but they
all were put out by the questions of general information--those were all
Mr. Everard's doing."

"Mr. Everard was very much struck with Norman's knowledge and
scholarship too," said Flora.

"So every one says. It was all Mr. Everard's doing. Miss Harrison told
mamma, but, for my part, I am very glad for the sake of Stoneborough; I
like a town boy to be at the head."

"Norman was sorry for Forder and Cheviot," began Ethel. Flora tried
to stop her, but Louisa Anderson caught at what she said, and looked
eagerly for more. "He felt," said she, only thinking of exalting her
generous brother, "as if it was hardly right, when they are so much his
seniors, that he could scarcely enjoy it."

"Ah! that is just what people say," replied Louisa. "But it must be very
gratifying to you, and it makes him certain of the Randal scholarship
too, I suppose. It is a great thing for him! He must have worked very
hard."

"Yes, that he has," said Flora; "he is so fond of study, and that goes
halfway."

"So is dear Harvey. How earnest he is over his books! Mamma sometimes
says, 'Now Harvey, dear, you'll be quite stupified, you'll be ill; I
really shall get Dr. May to forbid you.' I suppose Norman is very busy
too; it is quite the fashion for boys not to be idle now."

"Poor Norman can't help it," said Ethel piteously. "Papa will not hear
of his doing any Latin or Greek these whole holidays."

"He thinks he will come to it better again for entire rest," said Flora,
launching another look at her sister, which again fell short.

A great deal of polite inquiry whether they were uneasy about him
followed, mixed with a little boasting of dear Harvey's diligence.

"By-the-bye, Ethel, it is you that are the great patroness of the wild
Cocks