do honor to the school," she said; "he is a good,
industrious, clever, and trustworthy boy. He never told a story in his
life."

"Oh! madam, boys never do," replied the head-master.

The lady left, somewhat indignant. Did the remark amount to her
statement being disbelieved, or to an affirmation that her boy was no
better than other boys?

* * * * *

Of course every mother is apt to think that her Johnny or Jenny is
nature's highest utterance. But for blind, unreasoning adoration,
commend me to a fond grandmamma.

The first time I took my child on a visit to my mother in dear old
Brittany, grandmamma received compliments enough on the subject of the
"lovely petite blonde" to turn her head. But it did not want much
turning, I must say. One afternoon, my wife was sitting with Miss Baby
on her lap, and grandmamma, after devouring the child with her eyes for
a few moments, said to us:

"You are two very sensible parents. Some people are so absurd about
their babies! Take Madame T., for instance. She was here this morning,
and really, to hear her talk, one would think that child of hers was an
angel of beauty--that there never was such another."

"Well, but, grandmamma," said my wife, "you know yourself that you are
forever discoursing of the matchless charms of our baby to your
friends."

"Ah!" cried the dear old lady, as serious as a judge; "but that's quite
different; in our case it's all true."

* * * * *

If you ever hope to find the British schoolboy at fault, your life will
be a series of disappointments. Judge for yourself.

I (once): "Well, Brown, you bring no exercise this morning. How is
that?"

PROMISING BRITON: "Please, sir, you said yesterday that we were to do
the 17th exercise."

I (inquiringly): "Well?"

P. B. (looking sad): "Please, sir, Jones said to me, last night, that
it was the 18th exercise we were to do."

I (surprised): "But, my dear boy, you do not bring me any exercise at
all."

P. B. (looking good): "Please, sir, I was afraid to do the wrong one."

Dear, dear child! the thought of doing wrong but once was too much for
him! I shall always have it heavy on my conscience to have rewarded
this boy's love of what is right by calling upon him to write out each
of those exercises five times.

* * * * *

That thick-necked boy, whom you see there on the front