^^ He does not mix with this set at all, sir ; he is a
poor man — ^a sizar, in short ! "

" That is not well, boy ! yon should choose yonr com-
panions a Uttle more exclusively— you must separate.'^

"Sir!"

" Politely, and without injury to his feelings ; but it
must be done ; he wiU be, doubtless, well content if
you oflfer him Appleton. He is going into the church,
I suppose— it is some hundred and fifty pounds a-year,
and the incumbent is of very great age."

Sir William yawned at the notion of such longevity ;
without reflecting how near seventy he was getting
himself.
" You mistake my fiiend, sir, believe me ! he would
not take a shilling as a gift from me or any man ; he is
the most independent fellow in the world!"

" Why do you talk to me of independence ?" inter-
rupted the baronet. " You and this sizar seem to be
birds of a feather ; do you know why you are not a
sizar ? Why not a village schoolmaster ! Why
not ?"

But despite his self-willed fiiry, the patron was
shamed and checked by what he read in the young
man's eyes.
