lost, though he hoped Phil
would not mind being at the bottom of every class for once to help his
brother, seeing how soon a diligent boy might work his way up again.
Phil replied that that was not so easy as people might think, when there
was one like Joe Cape determined to keep him down, if he could once get
him down.

"I hope you will find time to help Hugh up from the bottom, in a class
or two," said Mr. Shaw. "You will not be too busy about your own affairs
to look to his I suppose."

"Where is the use of my meddling?" said Phil. "He can't rise for years
to come. Besides----"

"Why can't I rise?" exclaimed Hugh, with glowing cheeks.

"That is right, Hugh," said his uncle. "Let nobody prophesy for you till
you show what you can do."

"Why, uncle, he is nearly two years younger than any boy in the school;
and----"

"And there is little Page above you in algebra. He is about two years
younger than you, Phil, if I remember right."

Hugh could not help clapping his hands at the prospect this held out to
him. Phil took the act for triumphing over him, and went on to say, very
insultingly, that a little fellow who had been brought up among the
girls all his life, and had learned of nobody but Miss Harold, could not
be expected to cut any figure among boys. Hugh looked so grieved for a
moment, and then suddenly so relieved, that his kind uncle wondered what
was in his mind. He took the boy between his knees and asked him.

Hugh loved his uncle already, as if he had always known him. He put his
arms round his neck, and whispered in his ear what he was thinking
of;--his mother's saying that God could and would, if He was sought, put
the spirit of a man into the feeblest child.

"True!--quite true! I am very glad you know that, my boy. That will help
you to learn at Crofton, though it is better than anything they can
teach you in their school-room."

Mrs. Shaw and Phil looked curious; but Mr. Shaw did not repeat a word of
what Hugh had said. He put the boy away from his knees, because he
heard the gig coming round.

Mrs. Shaw told Hugh that she hoped he would spend some of his Sundays
with his uncle and her; and his uncle added that he must come on
holidays as well as Sundays,--there was so much to see about the mill.

Phil was amused, and somewhat pleased, to find how exactly Hugh
remembered his description of the place and neighbourhood. He recognised
the duck-pond under the hedge by the road-side, with the v