The record-union., 1899-05-01

further enumerated the details o1 ms
new outfit observed rather disrespect-
fully, My eyei you will be toff'; anu
the hairdresser, who gave his curry
locks an extra clipping, uttered the
mendacious statement that he wished
he was going to school,
= But when it came to the eve OF the
eventful day Bobbie went about look
ing unusually sober. He surveyed
mournfully, with his hands in his peck
cts, the tunnel in his garden which was
to have communicated with the water
butt and effected elaborate irrigation
works for the benefit of his marigolds,
radishes and love hes bleeding"
He inspected his slug trap sadly; no
longer would it be his to catch slugs at
ninepence a dozen; they would devas-
tate the garden in his absence.
Trusty, the old fox terrier, stood at
his little masters heels in detected
attitude-he seemed to sniff parting in
the air
So subdued was Bobbie when it came
to tea time that his mother had to draw
on her ina gination to paint the charms
of Glare House. BY the time she had
finished it would have appeared to a
disinterested nearer that home was no
where in comparison. But Bobbie lis
tened sadly, evidently taking the ma
jority of the statements cum grano
sails.
Betty tucked him up that night with
pang at her heart. However naughty
he might have been during the day,
Bobbie, like all children, looked simply
cherubic when asleep.
WHO would imagine to look at him
now that Bobbie could ever be tire
some?" thought Betty, arranging the
tossed bedclothes over his rounded
limbs. Dear little chap she murmur-
ed, STOPPING to kiss his fair, flushed
cheek
1t was all hustle and confusion next
day till the time of starting. Bobbie
bore up like man; he kissed his sis
tiers and the baby with no sign of emo
ton, but returned from bidding farewell
to his pets and Trusty with suspiciously
red eyes.
Betty had had difficulty to swallow
any lunch herself, because of a, tiresome
lump that would keep coming into her
throat
She was glad when the first wrench of
parting was over and they entered
Dovebrook Station. Here she encount
cred the Wears wife.
'.Oh, so your little boy is going to a
boarding school," she said. Il heard
something about it in the village. [
dare say you are right, Mrs. Travers.
but l always think the home influence,
you know
1T must be pure cussedness on her
part" muttered Betty, flying to get the
ticket.
Glare House school stood up, large,
white and formidable when they reach
ed Calmford
L don't see no garden said Bobbie,
looking disappointed.
mo. but there is a nice playground,
replied his mother, thinking rather
drearily of the walled in, graveled in
closure, with its swing and gymnastic
appliances, and a cricket field But.
CHI, Bobbie. you must try and talk bet
ter
How better?' asked Bobbie, looking
mystified.
School had commenced that day, and
as they mounted the front door steps
they caught sight of several boys bend
ing over their desks in a room in the
DdStllltLl Deity lHOUSHl lIty iOOheO
rather forlorn, but then basement re-
gions always have a depressing appear
ance.
They were ushered into the drawing
room. Miss Bligh, a tall, thin woman,
received them with chill graciousness,
and her brother. the principal, patted
Bobbie on the head and asked him his
name. 1t was one of Boobies failings
to be shy with strangers, and instead
of answering and looking up brightly
he stuck his chin in his neck and said
nothing.
Betty feared he would make a bad i'm
preston, and murmured apologetically
something about her little boy seldom
seeing people.
Shy, eh?" said the master, and
though he smiled Betty fancied there
was a look in his eyes as if he could be
pretty severe sometimes. I'VE will soon
cure him of that. We will make a man
of him, en- my boy?"
Bobbie shrank closer to his mother
and got hold of a fold of her gown in his
chubby fingers.
Il am afraid he is rather a spoiled
little man." remarked Miss Bligh Jelly.
Betty smiled nervously.
You see, his father is away" she
said, glancing half appealingly from one
to the other. But she met no response
to reassure her.
Il see," said Mr.. Bligh, 'it is quite
time he came away from home, Mrs.
Travers."
Perhaps he had better be shown his
quarters" said his sister, and she led
tho uav unStajrS
This is where he will sleep" throw
ing open the door of a large long room
with rows of small beds like hospital,
and bare, barracklike windows, land
here is his bed
Bobbie gave quick, frightened
glance and his grasp frightened.
Come, you don't want to get into
mothers pocket do your" laughed Miss
Bligh. Excuse me moment; I will
see if they know where to put his box"
When she had left the room Bobbie
looked round ruefully. Then he said, in
timid whisper, Mother, who will tuck
me up at night?"