His bandaged hands made house-work impossible, and so he was allowed to go to school in peace. And the knowledge that Susy owed her life to him, made even the ill-tempered father a shade less surly. He could not write or do sums, but the teacher saw that his time was well filled. Dick was a favourite of his because his work was so faithfully done, in spite of drawbacks. Home lessons had small chance in Mrs. Fowley's presence, and the frequent excuses for keeping him at home had sadly interfered with his getting on, but in school no boy was happier than he. In the playground there might be taunts about his shabby clothes, and rough usage from the Fowley boys, that were hard to bear patiently. And he did not always succeed in keeping his temper down. But when, once or twice, he had struck a blow for freedom, garbled tales were carried home and he had to suffer tenfold afterwards for his daring. But the thought of Lionheart and his long waiting made him brave to suffer and endure. And more and more the thought of Jesus, as the Friend and Leader of those who follow Him, filled the darkest hours with joy. The annual examination was drawing near, and Dick was very anxious to be able to use his hands by then, and "pass the standard" successfully. Meanwhile, he worked doubly hard, and went far ahead of the other boys in lessons that had to be learned by heart. And the teacher lent him books to read that helped him wonderfully, though he could only read them by snatches. He saw how boys as poor and friendless as himself had had to bear hardship and unkindness, and how they had fought their way onward, through all difficulties, to success and freedom, and his own resolve grew stronger every day. Now and then Mrs. Fowley would order him to be off out of her way, and when this happened in the evening he gladly went to Paddy's lodgings. It was so quiet there, after the scolding and quarrelling at home, and Paddy always had a welcome for him, while bright-eyed Pat quickly learned to know his owner. He grew very fast, and was so full of fun and frolic, that there were no dull times when he was awake. And Paddy, who seemed to know all about dogs and their doings, suggested that he should be taught tricks "because of his knowingness." And teaching him to beg and sing and shake hands, filled many a merry half-hour that autumn, and the Fowley's would scarcely have known Dick, if they had seen him there. When the examination day came he managed to get through successfully, though his paperwork had to have allowances made for its deficiencies. But at home all the effects of Susy's rescue had passed away, and Dick was more scolded and starved than ever before. CHAPTER III. A DASH FOR FREEDOM. "Here, you young rascal, I'll teach you to meddle with my tools! What have you done with my knife?" "I haven't had it," said Dick, looking up from the stocking he was awkwardly trying to darn by the firelight.