ow. But though I've got a bit of the stuff it were
made of in my pocket at this moment, I can't bring myself to start upon
it, like."

"Don't you know any woman who could do it for you?" suggested Geraldine.

Bennett shook his head.

"Not that I could ask, so to speak," he answered. "Cook did say once
as how she'd do it for me. But she ain't never noticed it again,
though I always make a point of wearing my old coat whenever I'm in the
kitchen. And I don't exactly like to remind her. Cook's that
particular, you see."

"I'll tell you what! I'll do it for you," said Geraldine, struck by
the brilliant idea. "I'm quite good at patching, truly I am. And I'd
love to do it. You've been so awfully decent in letting me help you
with Bruno. It won't be dinner-time for nearly an hour yet. I'll go
and get my mending things and do it for you now." And she jumped to
her feet and made her way towards the door.

"It's very good of you, miss, to offer," said Bennett dubiously. "But
I ain't sure as I ought to take advantage of it." But Geraldine was
already out of hearing and half-way across the quadrangle to fetch her
workbag from the dormitory. Fortunately for her project, she met no
one on the way, for in her excitement and interest at the thought of
being able to do something for somebody at last, she had quite
forgotten that it was necessary to ask permission if she wanted to go
to the dormitory out of hours. In a few minutes she was safely back in
the washhouse again, where, seated upon an upturned packing-case, she
proceeded to patch the torn elbow in Bennett's coat with a speed and
dexterity which aroused that individual's undisguised admiration.

"Well, now, missie, I'm sure I do thank you," he said heartily, when at
last the coat was neatly patched and back on his shoulders again. "You
are a real little lady, that's what you are. Which is more than I can
say for some of them young varmints up yonder! And if ever there's
anything I can do for you in return, you've only got to say the word
and I'll do it."

"Thank you," said Geraldine, somewhat embarrassed by his excessive
gratitude. "Is Bruno dry now? Shall I take him to Miss Oakley?"

"Yes, if you like, miss. I'll carry him up to the house for you, or
he'll get himself all muddy again. My word, ain't he a weight just?"
the man added, as he lifted the big retriever in his arms.

The dinner bell rang just as they reached the schoolhouse door,
how