LUNCH IN THE WOopD. 19

_ daughters, Minna and Rose, eight years of age. They
attended the school each day regularly, occupying |
small seats by their father’s desk. They were allowed
occasionally to visit the boys’ playground as spectators
of their games, and considered it a great treat so to do.
But they were always attended by one of their parents,

or placed under the especial care of one of the most
trusty boys. Philip Graham had this honour conferred
‘ upon him oftener than any other boy, and he was quite
proud of the trust reposed in him.

Once in three months, Mr. Harding had what he
called a public day, when gentlemen from the village
and the neighbouring country-seats were invited to
attend the school, and hear the recitations, or examine
the boys as they pleased. Mr. Harding would allow |
-no special preparation for this day. He wished the
boys to show exactly what they were, and this was a
great incitement to them to be diligent students. He
allowed the boys free access at all times to his fine
garden, under certain restrictions, and it was seldom
his laws in this respect were broken.

“ Look here, Dick. Quick, or I shall be discovered,”
said Tom Bailey one day, about a week after Maurice —
Gray had entered the school, as he was creeping
stealthily from Maurice’s closet. “Come quickly, Tom.”
Tom obeyed. “Here,” said Dick, “is your good, -
merry fellow, we have been calculating upon. Why,
he is worse than Philip Graham. See here! Phil has