"Yes--of course,"--said Dr. Harrison, with the air of one who needed no information as to Mr. Linden's view of the subject, nor explanation as to its grounds. "But," said he speaking somewhat low,--"my father has the interests of the school--and indeed of all Pattaquasset--truly at heart, and my sister has entered into all his feelings. I am a kind of alien. I hope not to be so.--But, as I was saying, my father and sister putting their heads together, have thought it would have a good effect upon the boys and upon certain interests of the community through them and their parents too, to give some little honours to the best students among them--or to the cleverest boys--which, as you and I know, are not precisely synonymous terms. Would you think well of such an expedient? My father is very anxious to do nothing which shall not quite meet your judgment and wish in the matter." "I shall leave it in Judge Harrison's hands," said Mr. Linden after a moment's silence: "I should be very sorry to gainsay his wishes in any respect. And some of the boys deserve any honours that can be given them." "Do they?" said the doctor. "Can you indicate them to me?" "No," said Mr. Linden smiling. "I shall leave you to find out." "Leave _me_"--said the other. "How did you know what office they had charged upon me? Well--I am making as long a speech as if I were a member of Congress. By the way, Mr. Linden, can you imagine what could induce a man to be that particular member of the body politic? it occupies the place of the feet, I think; such members do little but run to and fro--though I remember I just seemed to give them the place of the tongue--unjustly. They don't do the real talk of the world." "The real _talk?_" said Mr. Linden. "Indeed I think they do their share." "Of talk?" said the doctor with an acute look at his neighbour. "Well--as I was saying--my sister has provided I believe some red and blue, or red and something, favours of ribband--to be given to the boys who shall merit them. Now to find out that, which you won't tell me, I am to do, under your pleasure, some more talking--to them in public--to see in short how well they can talk to me. Do you like that?" "Better than they will, perhaps--as merit is sometimes modest." "I assure you I would happily yield the duty into your hands--who would do it so much better--but I suppose you would say as somebody else--'Let my friend tell my tale.'--Who is that?" said the doctor slowly and softly,--"like the riding pole of a fence--as little to spare--and as rigid--isn't he?--and as long! Don't I remember him?" "You ought--that is Mr. Simlins." "Yes"--said the doctor musingly--"I remember him! I incurred his displeasure once, in some boyish way, and if I recollect he is a man that pays his debts. And that unfortunate--next--looks like the perspective of a woman."