98 TRIALS OF THE EMIGRANT SCHOOL-BOY.

could have spoken the address of Antony better than
- Adler did last night?”

Carl smiled, and said, “I am glad you have come
to think better of me. Everybody is kinder to me than
before. For you must know I was beginning to think
I never should open my lips without uttering some-
thing laughable.” |

“Come, come,” said Merriman, laying an arm across
his shoulder, “no more of that. Let by-gones be by-
gones. You can take a joke, and that is the surest way
to avoid one. And if anybody imposes on you, let me
hear of it.” |

“And me,”—“ and me,’—said two or three at once.
It was evident that some remarkable interest had been
awakened in the stranger. Carl however drew himself
up, and said, “I believe you have all found out that
I do not often need help. I’m not fond of quarrels,
but I was taught by my mother not to fear.” 7

“ Where shall you spend the holidays?” asked Mack.

“Heigh-ho! that is more than I can tell,” replied
Carl. “ Probably my holidays will begin rather too
soon.”

“ What do you mean by that, Carl 2”

“Why, I mean that I am going away sooner than I
wished. Instead of going to college, as I hoped, I am
informed by my uncle that I am to be placed as an
apprentice with a mathematical instrument maker.”

There was silence for some minutes, Though all had