the table and sunk heavily
into it.

"You are tired, poor fellow, and no wonder! I dare say, for all the good
things you got at the ball, that a cup of tea will do you no harm," said
Hannah, pouring out and handing him one.

Ishmael took it wearily and sat it by his side.

"And now tell me about the premiums," continued his aunt.

"I got the first premium in belles-lettres, aunt; and it was Hallam's
'History of Literature.' And I got the first in languages, which was
Irving's 'Life of Washington'--two very valuable works, Aunt Hannah,
that will be treasures to me all my life."

"Why do you sigh so heavily, my boy? are you so tired as all that? But
one would think, as well as you love books, those fine ones would 'liven
you up. Where are they? Let me see them."

"I left them at the school, Aunt Hannah. I will go and fetch them
to-morrow."

"There's that sigh again! What is the matter with you, child? Are you
growing lazy? Who got the gold medal?"

"It wasn't a medal, Aunt Hannah. Mr. Middleton wanted to give something
useful as well as costly for the first prize; and he said a medal was of
no earthly use to anybody, so he made the prize a gold watch and chain."

"But who got it?"

"I did, aunt; there it is," said Ishmael, taking the jewel from his neck
and laying it on the table.

"Oh! what a beautiful watch and chain! and all pure gold! real yellow
guinea gold! This must be worth almost a hundred dollars! Oh, Ishmael,
we never had anything like this in the house before. I am so much afraid
somebody might break in and steal it!" exclaimed Hannah, her admiration
and delight at sight of the rich prize immediately modified by the cares
and fears that attend the possession of riches.

Ishmael did not reply; but Hannah went on reveling in the sight of the
costly bauble, until, happening to look up, she saw that Ishmael,
instead of drinking his tea, sat with his head drooped upon his hand in
sorrowful abstraction.

"There you are again! There is no satisfying some people. One would
think you would be as happy as a king with all your prizes. But there
you are moping. What is the matter with you, boy? Why don't you drink
your tea?"

"Aunt Hannah, you drink your own tea, and when you have done it I will
have a talk with you."

"Is it anything particular?"

"Very particular, Aunt Hannah; but I will not enter upon the subject
now," said Ishmael, raising his cup to his lips to prevent further
questionings.

B