want
to play with us?"

"Yes," said Phil, brightening up, "I should like to."

"Come on, then."

Phil looked at his fiddle and hesitated.

"Oh, I'll take care of your fiddle for you. Here, this tree is hollow;
just put it inside, and nobody will touch it."

Phil needed no second invitation. Sure of the safety of his fiddle,
which was all-important to him since it procured for him his livelihood,
he joined in the game with zest. It was so simple that he easily
understood it. His laugh was as loud and merry as any of the rest, and
his face glowed with enjoyment.

It does not take long for boys to become acquainted. In the brief
time before the teacher's arrival, Phil became on good terms with the
schoolboys, and the one who had first invited him to join them said:
"Come into school with us. You shall sit in my seat."

"Will he let me?" asked Phil, pointing to the teacher.

"To be sure he will. Come along."

Phil took his fiddle from its hiding-place in the interior of the tree,
and walked beside his companion into the schoolroom.

It was the first time he had ever been in a schoolroom before, and he
looked about him with curiosity at the desks, and the maps hanging
on the walls. The blackboards, too, he regarded with surprise, not
understanding their use.

After the opening exercises were concluded, the teacher, whose attention
had been directed to the newcomer, walked up to the desk where he
was seated. Phil was a little alarmed, for, associating him with his
recollections of the padrone, he did not know but that he would be
punished for his temerity in entering without the teacher's invitation.

But he was soon reassured by the pleasant tone in which he was
addressed.

"What is your name, my young friend?"

"Filippo."

"You are an Italian, I suppose."

"Si, signore."

"Does that mean 'Yes, sir'?"

"Yes, sir," answered Phil, remembering to speak English.

"Is that your violin?"

"Yes, sir."

"Where do you live?"

Phil hesitated.

"I am traveling," he said at last.

"You are young to travel alone. How long have you been in this country?"

"A year."

"And have you been traveling about all that time?"

"No, signore; I have lived in New York."

"I suppose you have not gone to school?"

"No, signore."

"Well, I am glad to see you here; I shall be glad to have you stay and
listen to our exercises."

The teacher walked back to his desk, and the lessons began. Phil
listened with curi