A CAPITAL HIDING-PLACE. 43

like to tell you a little about it-about how it was
that I never knew my lessons well."
 "Do, Jack-I would like to know extremely; for I
have always found you obedient and industrious."
 "Well, sir, first of all the school is three miles off
from Hillside. I had to leave home before nine, and
even with fast walking I was never in school before
ten. That was all very well, because one feels fresh
enough in the morning. We had from twelve to
half-past one to eat our lunch and for playtime. I'm
very fond of cricket and foot-ball, and, of course," said
Jack in an apologetic tone, "a fellow doesn't like not
to play when all the rest are having fun. School
broke up at half-past four, and by the time I got
home I was tired, I can tell you. What with the
double walk, which made six miles altogether, and
the running about at the games, I used to feel so
tired and sleepy in the evenings that I often went
right off to sleep over my books. That was how I
never knew my lessons well; then I used to have to
do impositions before I was allowed to go home, and
that often made me an hour later."
 "But, my'boy, if you had abstained from the
games sometimes, or got up to work for an hour
or two before breakfast, would not that have helped
you?"
 "I'm sure it would, sir, still I'm so azwfully fond of