88 THE OAKS.

usher might not suffer by the condescension. The
scruple was not necessary ; but Barry had not reached
the point in his experience where this is found out.
When the sun began to draw toward his setting, he
rang his little bell, and was instantly surrounded by
the whole company, at least twenty in number. There
they sat or stood around him, red and panting, and
covered with healthful moisture. What sight on earth
is lovelier or more hopeful? Who is happier than a
loving teacher? Barry felt this, and gazed on them
with a new and swelling emotion. What hope, what
joy, what confidence in these countenances! Even two
or three lads, who had been sullen and refractory in the
school-room, were here contented and docile, and clung
to him, with a readiness to do whatever he should
order. |
“ Look yonder, boys,” said Barry, rising as he spoke,
and stretching his hand toward the west. All the boys
turned in the same direction, and their faces were
illuminated with the blush of the setting sun, which
at that instant was just sinking among a clump of dis-
tant trees. ‘Oh, how grand! Oh, how beautiful !”
burst from several, Indeed, the sight was glorious.
“What do you think, boys?” said Barry. “Can
you see anything like that in a show? Can any paint-
ing or any panorama equal that ?” :
Various exclamations were uttered by the more
animated hoys, for the spectacle was uncommonly fine,