240 SCHOOL FESTIVITIES.

members of the school. Fred Mill, now a dashing
young doctor, appeared in due time, with a brother
physician fresh from Paris, in whom Carl recognised
Burnham, the head boy of former days, who had so
often taken his part at the Oaks. That venerable
establishment, be it observed, was now given. up, and
the excellent Dr. Newman being infirm with years, and
having no other children, had come to reside with his
beloved Helen until further plans should perhaps re-
move them all to New York. The company was
becoming large, but the parsonage was ample Mr.
Barrow’s accommodations were adjusted to just such
gatherings, and Dr. Smith, considering himself one of
the group, insisted on having Drs. Mill and Burnham
at the cottage, as he said, to help in taking care of
Farmer Black, who cried out in reply that he had never
been ill a day in his life.

For some reason or other the boys were in uncom-
mon good humour, and seemed to have a secret among
them, which was very much hushed up. King Donald,
however, who had accompanied Dr. N ewman, and was
now head gardener, took part in their secret plans. On
the gravelled walk near the spring, where a thicket of
shrubbery surmounts each side of the craggy pass (the
boys called it Thermopyle, though the spring was not
warm, but exceedingly cold) great preparations were in
progress fora sort of triumphalarch. Thewind had blown
it down twice, but Donald cheered the boys, and even