"Sing a song a sixpence!" said Frank, laughing. "Laura should begin to collect diamonds for a necklace, and perhaps it might be all ready before she comes out. I shall return home on purpose to see you then, Laura." "Pray do, Master Frank," said Mrs. Crabtree, with more than usual kindness; "we shall have great rejoicings on the occasion of seeing you back--an ox roasted alive, as they do in England, and all them sort of Tom-fooleries. I'll dance a jig then myself for joy--you certainly are a wonderful good boy, considering that I had not the managing of you." Frank's departure was delayed till after the examination of his school, because Mr. Lexicon had requested that, being the best scholar there, he might remain to receive a whole library of prize-books, and a whole pocketful of medals; for, as Peter remarked, "Frank Graham deserved any reward, because he learned his lessons so perfectly, that he could not say them wrong even if he wished!" Harry and Laura were allowed to attend on the great occasion, that they might witness Frank's success; and never, certainly, had they seen any thing so grand in their lives before! A hundred and forty boys, all dressed in white trowsers and yellow gloves, were seated in rows, opposite to six grave learned-looking gentlemen, in wigs and spectacles, who seemed as if they would condemn all the scholars to death! The colour mounted into Harry's cheeks with delight, and the tears rushed into his eyes, when he saw Frank, whose face was radiant with good-humour and happiness, take his place as head boy in the school. All his companions had crowded round Frank as he entered, knowing that this was his last appearance in the class; while he spoke a merry or a kind word to each, leaning on the shoulder of one, and grasping the hand of another with cordial kindness, for he liked everybody, and everybody liked him. No one envied Frank being dux, because they knew how hard he worked for that place, and how anxious he had been to help every other boy in learning as cleverly as himself; for all the boobies would have become duxes if Frank could have assisted them to rise, while many an idler had been made busy by his attention and advice. No boy ever received, in one day, more presents than Frank did on this occasion from his young friends, who spent all their pocket-money in pen-knives and pencil-cases, which were to be kept by Frank, in remembrance of them, as long as he lived; and some of his companions had a tear in their eye on bidding him farewell, which pleased him more than all their gifts.