nt
down to-night for both. And you will have to nurse the baby yourself,
and do the work for many a day."

The old doctor's voice was stern as he finished, for he had known
Dick's father and mother in their own tidy little home, and he hated
Mrs. Fowley's drinking habits, and her neglect of the children, and
unkindness to the orphan boy. For once she looked ashamed of herself,
and the neighbours, feeling guilty themselves, slipped away. They knew
the doctor was right, and that most of the accidents he had to attend,
and the poverty that caused him to work for nothing, were alike due to
the drink.

And life was certainly a little easier for Dick in the next few days.

His bandaged hands made house-work impossible, and so he was allowed to
go to school in peace.

And the knowledge that Susy owed her life to him, made even the
ill-tempered father a shade less surly.

He could not write or do sums, but the teacher saw that his time was
well filled. Dick was a favourite of his because his work was so
faithfully done, in spite of drawbacks.

Home lessons had small chance in Mrs. Fowley's presence, and the
frequent excuses for keeping him at home had sadly interfered with his
getting on, but in school no boy was happier than he.

In the playground there might be taunts about his shabby clothes, and
rough usage from the Fowley boys, that were hard to bear patiently.

And he did not always succeed in keeping his temper down.

But when, once or twice, he had struck a blow for freedom, garbled
tales were carried home and he had to suffer tenfold afterwards for his
daring.

But the thought of Lionheart and his long waiting made him brave to
suffer and endure. And more and more the thought of Jesus, as the
Friend and Leader of those who follow Him, filled the darkest hours
with joy.

The annual examination was drawing near, and Dick was very anxious to
be able to use his hands by then, and "pass the standard" successfully.

Meanwhile, he worked doubly hard, and went far ahead of the other boys
in lessons that had to be learned by heart.

And the teacher lent him books to read that helped him wonderfully,
though he could only read them by snatches.

He saw how boys as poor and friendless as himself had had to bear
hardship and unkindness, and how they had fought their way onward,
through all difficulties, to success and freedom, and his own resolve
grew stronger every day.

Now and then Mrs. Fowley would orde