12 THE NEW SCHOLAR.

mation. He soon reached the summer-house where
Mr. Harding was sitting, who raised his eyes from his
_ book as he heard the approach of footsteps.

“Well, Joseph,” he said, kindly, “what do you
wish ?”

“ Please, sir,” said Joe, hesitatingly, “the buys sent
me to ask you if you would tell us the name of the
new scholar who is coming to-morrow.”

“How did you know there was one coming ?” asked
Mr. Harding, smiling. | :

“Frank Henley heard you tell Mr. Neville go, sir,”
replied Joe.

“Well, his name is Maurice Gray,” said Mr. Hard-
ing.

“ Please, sir, tell me how old he is?” asked Joe.

‘“ He is several years older than yourself, Joe,” an-
swered Mr. Harding. “ He is fourteen, I believe.”

“The boys told me to ask you, sir,” continued Joe,
“whether he was from the city or the country ?”

“He is from a small country village a hundred miles
from here,” replied Mr. Harding. ©

“Thank you, sir,” said J oe, bowing, and preparing
to run away. |

“Would you not like to know something more of
him?” asked Mr. Harding, good-naturedly.

i Yes, sir, very much,” answered J oe, “but the boys
told me I must not ask you but three questions, or
you would think me very rude ;” and, without waiting