During the springtime Mr. Crispin and Samuel even planned that the boy should gain permission from the head master to leave Christ's Hospital altogether and learn the shoemaking trade under Mr. Crispin's direction. It was arranged that the shoemaker, instead of Samuel, should approach Mr. Bowyer with the request, it being thought that his age and size would carry more influence with the head master; but on the day set for the interview Mr. Bowyer chanced to wear his "passy wig," and he disposed of the subject by shouting violently,-- "'O'ds my life, man, what d'ye mean?" and pushing the astounded Crispin bodily out of the room. Samuel was so disappointed at the failure of the dazzling scheme, and so mortified at the treatment his friend had received, that he was rushing past Mr. Bowyer with the intention of apologizing to Mr. Crispin for having drawn him into his own petty troubles, when the head master stopped him. "Some one is waiting to see you in my lower office, Master Coleridge." "To see me, sir?" Samuel was taken aback, for never before had any one paid him a call at Christ's Hospital. "Who can it be, I wonder. Surely Mrs. Crispin would not come here." Crossing the threshold of the office, he descried a stalwart manly form at the window. The first glance seemed to stupefy the lad. He halted abruptly in the doorway, his hands fell limply at his sides, and he seemed unable to advance or retreat. It only needed a slight movement on the visitor's part to break the tension, when Samuel bounded forward with a great cry, and threw himself into the stranger's arms. "Luke, Luke, my brother, my Luke, my Luke!" "Here I am, little fellow. I wanted to surprise you, so I didn't write." "Oh, Luke, you won't go away again and leave me here, will you? Please, please tell me that you won't!" "I shan't leave you alone in the city for a day," declared the young man warmly. "I have come up to walk the London Hospital, so I shall be within easy reach hereafter. Your holidays you shall spend with me, and I have already arranged with the master to make you comfortable here at school. Bless you, little fellow, you mustn't quite suffocate me with your hugging, for I want to live and take good care of you. I have waited and worked for this ever since you came to London, and now you're going to have fair weather all round. Come along; I've just begged a holiday for you. What should you like to do?" "Introduce you to the Crispins." "Very well. We'll get the Crispins, and go for a ride on the good old river Thames." "A boat ride! A boat ride! Luke, do you care if I ask Charles Lamb to go with us?" "Not a bit. This is the day when we are going to do just as we please, you know." "Oh, Luke, you're so good, and you'll like the Crispins, and Charles 'll like you--and--and--isn't the world beautiful to-day, Luke?"