That Scholarship Boy

Him to C

continually from the subject of the lesson before him to the events of his day at school, trying to discover what he had done to offend his schoolfellows, that they should all at once send him to Coventry in this fashion. The study of mathematics, French, chemistry

own at last even below the dunces of the form, it hurt him more to see how gle

some lesson, the master said, 'What is the matter with

uthful lad, and could not avail himself of

last night, then; you know the rule about

and, as he fancied, glorying in his discomfiture. In this he was not far wrong; but there were one or two who pitied him in his various dilemmas, and would have broke

rpenter like his brother. One trade would be as good as another, if he could not go on and learn more of the mysteries of chemistry and physics It was some consolatio

like the damaged links of a chain, and might bring him trouble again and again, if he did not repair the mischief at once; and so by the time he went to bed he had well-nigh mastered all the difficulties, and worked hims

id blunders made the previous day were more than atoned for, and at last when the boy had worked out

g the master waited for an answer. 'I was

any circumstances.' And then he added in an undertone, 'You are a scho

and throughout that day he did not find i

he school in disgust, or else he would be asked to leave by the head master, and thus Torrington's would be saved from going to the dogs through this scholarship boy. But this day's experience of what Horace could do under the te

gate he set off home at a sharp trot, softly whistling to himself, as he pondered over what would be the probable effect if a certai

fford to give him pocket-money like most boys had to spend. This cost him a sigh, as he thought he might as well wish for a sl

mother noticed his e

o merry?' she said, as he threw up hi

other; only I ha

-keep it,' said his

'It's a good idea, I know, if I can only find out the way to carry it out,' added Horace, at which his brother laughed, and his mot

king about, I know; but it has made m

up your mind about tha

deal easier to be a carpenter, and earn money. I wasn't

u, when the way has been made clear for you to receive the education that will fit you to use them by-and-by. Fred always liked cu

that I may do better at my trade by-and-by,' said Fred. 'Every man to his t

ies, and could be very happy, in spite of the ban that his schoolfellows had placed upon him. He learned his lessons that nig

ided for those who brought their meals with them, but Horace had preferred eating his slice of bread and butter or bread and dripping, walking about the playground. There were others who did the same thing, but they walked in groups

me, no one ever asked Horace to take the vacant place. He was left to walk up and down the side of the playground until the bell rang

this silent persecution, but each boy to whom he had spoken had walked away as though he was

oing to hold out?' said Taylor, one day speaking t

he class, and so had Leonard,

ck of it, I can tell you. It's lasted a mont

come home from Oxford, says it is your pe

wrath at the insinuation. 'Who do you mean

u know your father is on the County Council, and they say it was

th fine inconsistency he added, 'If he did, it was because

ed Taylor; 'and I think the master or the Council ought to tur

have sent him to Cove

ch time? I saw Skeats speaking to him yesterday just after we came into the playground, and the two walked away together. It was the same again to-day, o

't fair,' ans

going to the dogs, masters and all. I wish you'd speak to your pater about it, Mo

ather, if they think he had anything to do with sending that boy here. You don't know the pater. H

age of Torrington's to receive a few scholarship boys, for they were sure to be sharp, studious lads, and it would waken the other boys up and put

ders of the class, and consequently domineered a good deal over the rest. 'Morrison

and looking down upon Leonard Morrison as a big overgrown lad likes to look at one of

up. What is it?' he said in a sle

to Coventry don't seem inclined to take himself out o

long as he was not called upon to exert himself beyond a little bullyin

t it is all through his father that we have got the beggar here, and

nted Curtis. 'You

don't like scholarship boys. You don't know my pater,' he went on, a little plaintively. 'He would ve

ow, but that fe

t he had done that the school had sent him to Coventry, and you

going to take his part now, a

better give in, and do

for?" he would say in his quiet way, while he looked into your very soul, so that you knew you must make a clean breast of e

ask your father to take the fellow away? It ought to be enough for you to tell him that t

let the school go to the dogs to p

ow whether we send him to Coventry or not, and Skeats is giving the g

ats to Coventry

he suggestion, but T

n talking to some of the fellows in the sixth, and they ha

,' said Curtis. 'I don't see why we shoul

,' complained Leonard Morrison, who had lost hi

goes with his lessons; and the masters th

ll of us,' observed Curtis; 'but I wo

unce of the school,' said L

is pockets. He was getting tired of the discussion, and Taylor saw that it was of little use trying to threaten Leonar