That part of the speech which met with the greatest attention referred to Mr. Laythorne’s approaching departure. The boys were sorry to lose him, as he was very popular, and they punctuated every sentence with ringing cheers. But the greatest applause was reserved for the unveiling of the handsome presents which boys and masters alike had subscribed for; and when Mr. Laythorne stepped forward to express his thanks, the cheering became deafening. "Three cheers for Mr. Laythorne, and one cheer more!" yelled the Angel. "Hurrah!" It was a breaking-up scene such as had rarely occurred at the Deanery, and one to be long remembered. Mr. Laythorne made a modest little speech, and then, unchecked by the masters, the Angel led off with "For he’s a jolly good fellow!" and was strenuously backed up by the vocal powers of three hundred enthusiastic boys. It was not, perhaps, strictly orthodox, but it was undoubtedly genuine; I fancy Mr. Laythorne, though not a demonstrative man himself, was rather pleased by the warmth of his reception. When the boys were dismissed, he called Jim, to give him his final instructions. "My arrangements are quite complete," said he, "but I shall write in the course of a week or two. Most likely I shall want you to come over a few days before school begins." "I shall be ready, sir, whenever you send." "Well, good-bye! Have a good holiday, because there will be plenty of work when you get to Portsmouth." A good holiday! How surprised both would have been had they known the kind of holiday which was in store for Jim! Instead of going straight to work, the boy ran home with his bag of books, and stayed a few minutes with his mother, chatting of the splendid send-off to Mr. Laythorne. "Dick led the cheering," said he, "and we all sang, ’For he’s a jolly good fellow!’" "So he is," said Mrs. Hartland, smiling—"none better, as far as we are concerned." "Well, I must be off," remarked Jim, "or Mr. Broad will wonder if I’m lost." They were very busy at the shop, and the boy worked away with a will. Perhaps the breaking-up scene had put him in good spirits; at any rate, the stationer remarked on his cheerfulness. While they were waiting for the evening papers, Jim, anxious not to waste time, sat down in a recess and began addressing a pile of labels. Suddenly he saw a man pass the window, stop as if hesitating, and then enter the shop. Knowing his employer was at the counter, he went on with his work, not thinking he would be required. "I can polish these things off to-night if I peg away at them," he said to himself. "Where’s that other book of addresses, I wonder? Oh, I see!" He got up to fetch the volume. From where he stood he could just see the top of Mr. Broad’s head, but nothing of the customer. He heard his employer say "Good-evening," to which the stranger replied in a tone that made Jim jump.