. Us.

92 THE FIRST GLASS OF WINE;

 

Hal listened eagerly at hearing his couse
In’s name thus mentioned, and he felt cer- (
tain that the speaker was no other than
Dick. ene e

‘¢T wonder what Mrs. Mortimer will say,
niéw,” said another voice, which Hal knew |
to be Ben’s. She may find out that her. as
precious son is no better than the rest of

”» } ras
‘‘Hush,” said Dick, «don’t speak so
loud; some one might happen to overhear a
us. Besides, we ought not > to mention

names when we are plotting mischief.” —

The boys continued their conversation in’ ~

a lower tone, and Hal stole quietly away.
He did not want them to know he had been‘

listening to them. He was much troubled,

however, for fear that something unpleasant a

was going to happen to Clare, all the more’ :