THE NEW SCHOLAR, 13

for further information, Joe left Mr. Harding, and
hastened back to the play-ground.

“ Maurice Gray—fourteen years old—from a coun-
try village”’—he said, as soon as he could, and as fast
as he could speak, and in a very loud voice, as if he
was anxious to complete all the duties of his ; mission
as soon as possible.

“Maurice Gray—a pretty name, is it not?” said
Frank Henley.

“Fourteen years old—that is just our age, Dick,”
said Tom Bailey; “he will be one of the oldest
scholars. I hope he has not an old sober head like -
Philip Graham, who thinks it such a condescension to
play with us now and then, and seems to think it is
wicked to laugh, or have any fun at all. Mr. Harding
thinks him a model of good conduct, and a pattern for
us all. I think he is a very disagreeable fellow. He
is proud, and never notices the younger boys at all, and
seems to think boys are made for nothing but to study
and go to church! I hope Maurice Gray is a real
hearty fellow, Dick, like you and 1.”

“Yes; indeed I do,” answered Dick. “I hate
‘pattern boys,’ like Phil Graham. One never feels at
ease with them. If the fellow that is coming is to my —
mind, I shall be quite polite to him, for I like a new
friend once in awhile. As he is from the country, I
suppose we shall have to teach him a thing.or two. I
suppose he is not much of a scholar. This is probably