80 LAST AND WORST.

horse and let the crowd pass. To his great surprise,
among the first who came from the tent were several]
boys of his own school, who, casting an anxious look
at the old church-clock, set off in rapid steps for home.
He had hardly recovered from his surprise before the
crowd had dispersed, and he was again moving onward,
when he saw a solitary figure emerge from the tent,
and strike into a circuitous road leading towards his
house. It was Philip Graham !

Mr. Harding rode slowly homeward, pondering on
the deceitfulness and ingratitude of those he so earnestly
and constantly endeavoured to benefit and make
happy, and did not reach the scene of festivity until
many of his guests had assembled.

The boys who had attended the circus made great
haste to get home, and arrived before their teacher ; and
they congratulated themselves much on his not being
present on their arrival, and felt quite sure they would
not be detected. They were consequently in high
spirits, and entered with great enthusiasm into the
games and pastimes of the day.

The festival was highly enjoyed by all, and the moon
shone brightly on the pleasant party ere they dispersed
for the night.

“Did we not do well, Maurice ?” said Frank, as they
retired together, on the breaking up of the party. “Was
it not a lucky thing that Mr. Harding was absent when

we returned ?”