Miss Patten's School 



he said, or rathered whispered. I nodded, 

 and the tears welled up into my eyes. 



'' Do they bully you, or whip you ? Tell 

 me w^hy you don't like it, Harry," he said 

 gently. 



I struQfMed to find voice. 



" Because, because — I can't tie my shoe- 

 strings ! " I broke out, and cried bitterly 

 upon his shoulder. I believe Ridley cried 

 too : at all events he did not speak for 

 several seconds, and then said huskily, 

 but with great determination, '' Well, that 

 settles it." He wiped my eyes and 

 smoothed my hair, and bade me ask Miss 

 Patten to come and see him as he was 

 going to take me home. 



She was very kind, and understood the 

 situation at once : indeed I think she was 

 rather glad to be rid of the responsibility 

 of a boarder who ate nothing, and cried 

 himself to sleep every night. O, I thought 

 she was a nice dear lady, and the scholars 

 were nice children, and the parlour was so 

 cool and pleasant, as she arranged my 

 crumpled frill, and washed my tearful face 

 preparatory to departure. I kissed her 

 with a right good will, and assured her I 

 should come back again quite soon — with 

 Mother and Mary, and so set forth holding 

 Ridley's left hand, while in his right he 



