"We’re jolly glad you got out of that mess, Jim," he exclaimed, "and we know it wasn’t your fault." Jim blushed like a peony; his eyes were suspiciously moist, and he felt a choking sensation in his throat. This reception differed altogether from what he had expected. He looked at the group of boys and tried to answer, but his words were very stammering. "This is—very—kind—of you chaps," he managed to say, "and I didn’t expect it." "Come on!" cried Dick; "there’s Mr. Laythorne! He’ll be giving us an extra half-hour’s grind." And they scudded away to their places like so many rabbits into a warren. Jim’s class-fellows were not alone in expressing their belief in his innocence. After prayers, and before beginning morning work, Mr. Laythorne, standing before his class, said, "I am glad to see you in your place again, Hartland. We have all heard of your trouble, and we all rejoice that you have come through it so triumphantly. I am speaking not only for myself and the boys, but for all the masters, including Mr. Holmore. Let me say for all of us that we are quite convinced of your honesty." "Yes, yes!" murmured the class approvingly. "Thank you, sir," said Jim. "I’m—" But he got no farther. Cold looks he had steeled himself to meet, and angry words he would have thrown back with interest, but this kindness broke him down utterly. The tears would come into his eyes, and he covered his face with his hands. The young master said nothing further, thinking it best not to disturb him. He had always felt great interest in Jim, and no one had been more disappointed at his failure to gain a high place in the Gayton Scholarship list. Several times recently he had endeavoured to save him from drifting, but without success; now he resolved to make another effort. "He is a clever boy, and ought to do well," he said to himself thoughtfully, "but lately he seems to have got into a set of cross currents. One would think he had thrown that Gayton Scholarship away deliberately." Mr. Laythorne was not aware how very severely Jim had been handicapped; but that same afternoon, during a talk with Dick Boden on quite another subject, he learned the truth. When school was dismissed, he called Dick to him and said, "By the way, Boden, I have to congratulate you. Sir Thomas Arkell has been to see the head-master, who referred him to me. I was glad to be able to report favourably on your conduct, and he has decided in consequence to take you on at his place as soon as the holidays begin." "Thank you, sir," answered Dick gratefully. "Mother meant me to stay a little longer, but we can’t afford to miss this chance, and I shall be able to attend the continuation school." "I hope you will. Well, it appears we shall both be leaving the dear old Deanery together." Dick glanced up hastily, saying, "Are you going away from Beauleigh, sir?" "Yes. It will soon be known now. I have been appointed to a school in Portsmouth."