CHAPTER II. 



Y father came next day to see how we had passed the 

 night, and I, with many tears begged him to take 

 me home. But this was not to be, so we went for 

 consolation to the bureau, where a deposit for our 

 expected weekly money, was by appointment to be 

 made. Here we found an illustration of the van- 

 ity of human wishes, for the official in charge 

 appeared aghast at the liberal or rather prodigal spirit, which had 

 suggested silver, and he declared, that with a liberal ctiisine such 

 as we enjoyed, threepence per week would meet all our possible 

 requirements not provided by the school. 



Half-a-sovereign in gold was consequently laid down upon the 

 desk, in payment for my brother and myself, until the Christmas 

 holidays came round, and this amount was truly said to be more 

 than most boys in England, and elsewhere, ever get or hope for. 



I am sure in our village here, the children cannot get so much, 

 judging from the persistent way in which they come singing 

 Christmas carols. Careless alike of wind and cold, they come, weeks 

 before the customary time, and appear happy and contented if a 

 do^en of them get a bronze coin to divide. But, perhaps, the fun 



