148 BRAGGADOCIO.

exclaimed Howard, as they were rowing over
the gleaming water of the beautiful river.

“Many a cloudy morning turns to a bright
and pleasant day. I am glad you have en-
joyed yourself. You must go with me very
often to Bessie’s Island.”

“ With all my heart, will I.”

The boys parted at the first turning of the
road—Tom for home, and Howard for Rose
Lawn. There a storm of wrath awaited him.
Mr. Cramer scolded him for being absent at
dinner-time ; Mrs. Cramer blamed him for
neglecting his lessons; and George insulted
him in the evening, when they were together,
by calling him a fit companion for the dyer’s
boy and girl—much more fit than for a gentle-
man’s companion. .

“JT found them far more agreeable com-
panions than the gentleman to whom you
allude,” retorted Howard. |

“Do you mean that am no gentleman? I
understand you have got to work for your liv-
ing, while I shall be a gentleman, and live
upon my money.”