A RIGHT SPIRIT. 
443 
his board and providing him with books, 
which, as the school was free, would be his 
only expenses. Mr. Short expressed his 
acknowledgment in few but emphatic 
words. Mrs. Short’s thanks were rather 
fainter; and after Mr. Winston had gone 
she told her husband that if that was all 
they could do for Jack, after what he had 
done for them, they might as well have 
let it alone. 
“ That’s all I want to have done for me, 
ma,” said Jack, good-naturedly. “I only 
want a chance to make my own way. I 
would rather have worked for my board 
than to have had the old gentleman pay 
for it: only it seemed ungracious to refuse.” 
“It will give you more time to study,” 
observed Mr. Short; “ and, as your health is 
not as strong as it used to be, perhaps it is 
the best plan. I don’t doubt, wife, but 
the boy will make the best of his time and 
be a comfort to us in our old age. I wish 
this one was having as good a chance,” he 
added, patting Sarah Anne’s head as she sat 
on the steps, sewing. 
“ Sarah Anne is a good scholar already, 
father,” said Jack. “ She can read as well 
