not bespeak very exemplary
submission to his father's decrees.

[Illustration: 'JESSIE CAME OVER TO HIM AND HUGGED HIM.'

_See page 92._]

The information itself, and Cecil's terrible adjectives, both dismayed
Jessie, and for a minute or two she did not speak. Then she said, 'But
surely there must be holidays at the day school too?'

'They're just over--they began in June. Of course those sort of places
don't break up at the same time as the public schools, like _we_ do,'
said Cecil with wrathful contempt.

'And must you begin when the school does?'

'I've got to--that's all; it's to be my punishment, father says,--just
as if losing the exhibition were not punishment enough!' And he buried
his face in the portmanteau to hide his tears.

Jessie came over to him and hugged him; and he didn't seem to mind,
though she could only kiss the side of his cheek and his shirt collar,
for the greater part of his face was hidden among the books.

'Did you tell him you worked nearly all the time?' she faltered in an
unsteady voice.

'I began to say something, and he asked me if I could honestly say I had
done my very best, and I couldn't quite say that, you know, and then he
wouldn't hear any more. And oh, I'm sure he thinks I did nothing but
idle my time away!'

'Did you tell him you thought there must be some mistake?'

'I said something about Lomax spiting me, but he wouldn't listen to
that.'

'Oh no,' said Jessie, who readily understood that her father would never
admit _that_ explanation of the affair. 'Oh, Cecil, I am so sorry, so
_very_ sorry!'

'If I had really been idle,' said Cecil, raising up his tear-wet face,
more crimson than ever from its sojourn in the box, 'then I shouldn't
care--I mean, it would only be fair that I should be served out for it;
but when I haven't--when I have tried all this year--oh!----' and he was
nearly choked by the sobs which, in his desire to be manly, he was
struggling to repress.

Jessie believed him entirely, and was grieved to the very heart. 'I am
so sorry,' she repeated. 'But, dear Cecil, _God_ knows; He sees you have
been trying; _He_ isn't angry with you.'

'Then why does He let this happen?' said Cecil fiercely.

Jessie was startled and shocked, and had no answer ready. 'I don't
know,' she said at last, through her tears; 'I can't tell why, but He is
so good--oh, He is _so_ good!--perhaps it will all come right still. I
will ask Him; and you will, won't you, Cecil?