The Gayton Scholarship

t inside the gate talking to a little group of his chums. He was a good-looking, fair-skinned boy, with sharp, keen eyes. Somehow he was not a favourit

s doing? You'd never guess! He's selling papers. He brought ours round just now, an

This won't do, you know. Tell your master if you can't

s sucking one of Braithwaite's bull's-eyes. "He

apers," said Alec Macdonald. "There'

or air, "but fancy a paper-boy trying for the 'Gayton'! Why, if he got

ye, and was hoping to get another before the bell rang. "I say, let's have a lar

; and Braithwaite, who thought it an exc

schief, laid hold of h

e, Jim; it's only the

ame to Jim. He was hot and tired and cross, angry with himself and the world in general, and with Braithwaite in particular. The incid

y, sir? Take

rly earning ano

of which Braithwaite stood laughing. Blinded by anger, he did not stay to ask

alarmed, could not resi

claret!" he sang out, as the bloo

re arose a ba

one back

our coat; I

spare han

ll be disappointed. In the midst of the hubbub the bell sounded, and the boys went to their pla

Jim and Dick, at once attracted the attention

was standing just inside the gate when Ha

correct,

ir," answered Jim sulkily. "And I'll

master calmly. "Go to your place now, and stay behind du

cheerfully, taking Braithwaite

orely tempted to send him to the head-master. He was kept in during the interval, and again at noon, and accordingly looked on himself

dle. I wish I had a looking-glass, so that you could see yourself.

he playground withou

wonder Laythorne was afraid to keep you inside any longer. But I say, Jim, that w

ead next time!" s

lapped him

he said. "Going up the lane? All right. I'll call for you after dinner.

the boy, but happily she did not worry him about it, a

oing out, "you needn't wait tea for me. I'm going to ha

vening, Jim?" asked Dick as

ll be home

't leave yo

all the subjects at school, and I can g

n a short time that he was

on school Jim stepped u

me?" asked Mr. Laythorne,

pardon for my rudeness this morning. Things seemed

you credit. But you must learn to govern your temper, Hartland, or it will bring you into mischief. How are

im brightly. "I am hoping t

d a minute or two in the playground to c

ast eight till ten at night, and from five till half-past six in the morning, besides an hour a

the shop. "I like to see that. Your tea's ready in the kitc

ir," sa

vourable impression at once. Mr. Broad was delighted with him; and that n

you judge," she replied. "Don't fo

a great deal of truth in the proverb,

ton Scholarship was his one idea, and if he failed it would not be for want of trying. H

aithwaite, anyhow!"

n, and all that week he devoted eve

ho, on the Friday evening, walked a part of the way

"I shall cut you out, Dicky, my bo

h the dates and things. I don't think history ought to count: it's mostly rubbish, anyway. Who wants

slyly; at which his churn roared with lau

such a simple question, replied blandly, "The chief provisions of Oxford, like those of other English towns, are bread, meat, all kind

They chaffed me about it at the cricket match; but I don't call it a fair question. I hope I shan't come a cropper li

"I shall want you to do a double round in the mor

though he was sorry at h

y," continued his master. "As soon as you have f

He felt very tired on the Saturday night, but his heart was light and his face smiling when he got home.

gry as a hunter. But, first of all, you had better take my wages, mother." And

said Mrs. Hartland, counting the co

Jim proudly; "he gave me an extra

sn't it splendid? Fancy

ll be able to earn more. But while we're chattering the supp

ay, and the fine work hurts

ked their mother, trying to laugh,

work at all," said Jim, who meant what

simple meal, and then Jim helped his

said Mrs. Hartland, as Jim kissed her go

over!" cried Susie; "then you'