10 HE FIRST GLASS OF WINE;

 

Neither Ben nor Dick were good boys, .
and so they were very unsafe companions 2
for boys like Clare and Hal, who had no
fixed principles to = them in the right
place.

The four boys ny bei to enjoy them-
3 selves ‘in good earnest. First, they played
some games, then they told wonderful stories
to each other, and then Clare thought the
_ time had come for the feast to begin. He
took from a cupboard in the corner of
the room a small drum of figs, a basket of
nuts, and a half dozen large oranges, and
placed them in the middle of the table.

—** Come, boys, this is my treat,” he said,
‘¢ Now draw up and-be jolly.”

Hal instantly drew his chair nearer to the
table, but Dick and Ben regarded these

preparations with a critical air.