Our Gentleman Boarder 



Mr. Trevanion, keeping a desperate grip 

 on hope, told my Father and Mother that he 

 was going back to his parents to try what 

 personal pleading could effect in bringing 

 them to see the matter in a kindlier light. 



" My Father is very tender-hearted, in 

 reality," he said, eagerly, seeing my Mother 

 shake her head ; '' I am sure I can win him 

 over, and, indeed, it is quite possible he will 

 let me go out there, do what I can to put 

 things right, and then return to England 

 for good." 



The evening before his departure was a 

 sad time, though my Father did his best to 

 make it cheerful ; he bade Mother prepare 

 as pretty a supper as possible, and he him- 

 self fetched up a choice bottle of wine, one 

 of half a dozen sent him by an old passen- 

 ger many a Christmas back. 



'' There's just two bottles, and it is prime 

 stuff, I can tell you ! " he said, jollily, "and 

 we'll drink one now, just as a * God speed ' 

 to you on your voyage, sir, and the other 

 we'll leave till you come back. Ah, Mother, 

 you zmll have to make us a fine supper the 

 day Mr. Trevanion comes home again and 

 we drink the other bottle, eh ? " 



We boys were allowed to sit up late as 

 it was the last evening, but we did not 

 enjoy it, although Father sang " Giles 

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