LUNCH IN THE WOOD. 2]

— that is, that Mr. Harding takes a great liking to Maurice,
Never since I have been here has he invited a boy to
take tea with him during the first week of his being
here, and Maurice last evening not only took tea with
him, but took a walk of an hour after tea with Mr. and
Mrs. Harding, and Minna and Rose. I saw them re-
turning. Minna had his hand, and Rose was skipping
by his side, and they were both talking to him as if
they had known each other for a long time.”

“Well, to-day is Saturday, and our afternoon for the
woods,” said Dick. “I fancy we shall find out a little
more about Maurice on our walk. Bob Newton is
coming out to go with us. I gave him a little com-
mission to execute for me in the village. Some half-
dozen of us older boys will separate from the rest, and
go along together, and Maurice shall be one. I wish
Bob Newton was a boarder; don’t you? He is such
‘a clever fellow.” |

“He would not be so useful to us if he was,” said
Tom Bailey, smiling significantly. “TI had rather trust
him with my errands in the village than any other day-
scholar we have, or even Peter. He knows so well |
how to manage things, and keep an innocent face on
all the while. It requires some talent to do that. Do
you think we can trust Maurice Gray?”

“No knowing until we have tried him,” said’ Dick.
“Tam not sure but it is too soon to begin; but he is
such a pleasant fellow, he is worth trying for; if he has