mael had! He could scarcely believe in his wealth and
happiness! He selected the Universal History and took it up to the
tutor, who, in consideration of his pupil's capacity and desire, set him
a very long lesson.

In an hour Ishmael had mastered this task also, and taken it up to his
teacher.

His third book that morning was Murray's English Grammar.

"I do not think I shall set you a lesson of more than the ordinary
length this time, Ishmael. I cannot allow you to devour grammar in such
large quantities as you have taken of geography and history at a meal.
For, grammar requires to be digested as well as swallowed; in other
words, it needs to be understood as well as remembered," said Mr. Green,
as he marked the lesson for his pupil.

Ishmael smiled as he went back to his seat.

To ordinary boys the study of grammar is very dry work. Not so to
Ishmael. For his rare, fine, intellectual mind the analysis of language
had a strange fascination. He soon conquered the difficulties of his
initiatory lesson in this science, and recited it to the perfect
satisfaction of his teacher.

And then the morning's lessons were all over.

This had been a forenoon of varied pleasures to Ishmael. The gates of
the Temple of Knowledge had been thrown open to him. All three of his
studies had charmed him: the marvelous description of the earth's
surface, the wonderful history of the human race, the curious analysis
of language--each had in its turn delighted him. And now came the
recreation hour to refresh him.

The girls all went to walk on the lawn in front of the house.

The boys all went into the shrubberies in the rear; and the day pupils
began to open their dinner baskets.

Ishmael took a piece of bread from his pocket. That was to be his
dinner.

But presently a servant came out of the house and spoke to Walter
Middleton; and Walter called our boy, saying:

"Come, Ishmael; my father has sent for you."

Ishmael put his piece of bread in his pocket and accompanied the youth
into the house and to the dining-room, where a plain, substantial dinner
of roast mutton, vegetables, and pudding was provided for the children
of the family.

"You are to dine with my children every day, Ishmael," said Mr.
Middleton, in those tones of calm authority that admitted of no appeal
from their decision.

Ishmael took the chair that was pointed out to him, and you may be sure
he did full justice to the nourishing food placed before him.