"Yes, he has the artist's instinct. He colors still, I believe,
and has sold one or ^;wo little trifles at Tavistock. He doesn't
take to the book business, I find. If we could but get a patron
for him — somebody to send him to London free of expense
to develop the possibilities of art. But patrons are things of
the past. "

"Else you would be in a higher sphere yourself, no doubt,
schoolmaster. "

"Thank you, Tavemer. But I am quite content. MidUum in
parvOy as we say. I get much into little. I hope the rising gen-
eration will show that I have done my duty, if not more than
my duty. "

"Be they a very on-coming lot, or thick-headed ?'' inquired
Mr. Huggins. "I often think if us old men had had such chances
to lam as the boys nowadays, that we should have made a
stir in the nation. Anyway, we stood to work in a fashion I
never see of late years. Hard as nails we used to be. Now —
my stars! you'll see the childer going to school under um-
brellas! 'Tis a great sign of weakness in my opinion, and
ought to be stopped. ^

"As to the main question," answered Adam, "my youthful
charges may be considered rather under than over the aver-
age in their intellects. With the exception of Johnny Williams



SATURDAY NIGHT 167

and his brother Arthur, I should say my present classes will
leave the world much as they find it. I need not tell you that I
inculcate high moral principles; and in that respect they are
as good and honest a lot of boys as Lydf ord has ever turned
out — or any other center of instruction. But as to book learn- "
ing — no."

''Too many school treats and holidays, in my opinion,"
said Jarratt Weekes.
