Gerald winced. He understood very well that the money upon which Abel depended was, or should have been, his own. "I suppose you had sports?" "Yes; the boys played baseball and other things." "Do you like baseball?" "Not much. I wanted to be captain of the club, but the boys wouldn't let me." "I hope you will like Portville. We have an academy here. Perhaps you will attend." "Not just yet. I am tired of studying." "Do you like boating?" "Yes, have you got a pond?" "Yes, and I have a dory. I will take you out on Monday, if you like." "You have a dory? Did my mother give it to you?" "No; it was given me by my father." "I shall ask mother to give me a sail-boat." "I would like one myself," said Gerald. "I don't think she will give you one, but I will let you go out with me sometimes," said Abel, in a patronizing tone, which Gerald did not like. "How did you find your way to the house? Of course you didn't know where it was, as you never were in town before." "I got a poor boy to walk up with me and carry my valise. I wonder my mother didn't send you down to meet me." "I would have gone with pleasure," said Gerald, politely. "Are you going to school, or are you working?" "I have been attending school." "What did you study?" "Latin and French, besides English studies." Abel was surprised. He was a very ordinary scholar, and had never studied any language except his own. "I shouldn't think such studies would do any good to a boy who has to work for a living." "Then I suppose you have not studied them?" "No." "My father intended me to enter college." "But you won't go now?" "I suppose not," said Gerald, shortly. Here they came upon two boys, who were jumping in competition with each other. One was John Holman, the other Munroe Hill. "Boys," said Gerald, "this is Abel Tyler, the son of Mrs. Lane." "Glad to see you," said Munroe. "I believe we have met before," said John, smiling. "Yes; you took my valise to the house for me." "Will you jump, Gerald?" asked Munroe. "If you'll promise not to outdo me," said Gerald. "I shall try to do it," said Munroe. "Will you join?" This question was addressed to Abel. "Yes," answered Abel. He had legs unusually long for his size, and thought he could outdo the others. Arrangements were made, and John Holman started off. He jumped seven feet on a standing jump. Abel followed and beat his distance by three inches. "How's that?" he asked, complacently. "Very fair," said Gerald. "Now I will try." His jump was seven feet four inches. Abel frowned and looked displeased, and was even more dissatisfied when Munroe jumped seven feet six inches. "You boys are fresh," he said. "I am tired. I have jumped seven feet nine inches when I was in good condition." None of the three boys believed him, but Munroe said, politely: "We will try again some day when you can do yourself justice. None of us can jump as far as that." "Are you going to stay in Portville some time?" he asked.