He would have felt quite happy now, had his little girl been at home. His heart yearned for the lass, but he was buoyed up by a wonderful hope. With the doctor’s permission, he had seen her at the hospital, and had come away with the profound conviction that she was gradually growing stronger. Indeed, Dr. Stewart had said as much, and more also. "Next summer," he had said, "in all human probability, Pussy will walk, and before the end of the year even go a short distance without the aid of crutches." Mr. Laythorne had left the town at the beginning of the holidays, and Jim could not communicate with him; but at last his letter arrived, directing the boy to join him at 7 Mortimer Gardens, Portsmouth, on the following morning. Accordingly, Mrs. Hartland packed his things, Jim paid a farewell visit to his sister, went to see Dick, who was now installed in Sir Thomas Arkell’s business, and then spent a quiet hour with his parents. "I’ll come with you, my boy," said his father. "I wish to thank this Mr. Laythorne, and to have a little talk with him." The schoolmaster was naturally somewhat surprised by the appearance of the sturdy, deep-chested sailor; but Jim soon explained matters, and then his father said,— "I am a plain man, sir, and not much used to figures of speech, but I want to thank you from my heart for your kindness. You’ve been a real Samaritan to my boy, and none of us will ever forget it. There is just one thing to be said. I mustn’t trade on your generosity. The owners of the _Morning Star_ have behaved very handsomely, so that I can well afford to pay Jim’s shot. Now that his father is home again, the boy mustn’t be a burden on you, sir. You see that?" "Very well," said Mr. Laythorne; "that shall be as you please." And before Jim’s father left, the two drew up a fresh and eminently satisfactory arrangement. "And now," said the sailor, "I’ll just slip my moorings and run back.—Good-bye, my boy. Write often to your mother, and try to show this gentleman you’re worth the care he has bestowed on you.—Good-bye, sir. If Jim comes to be worth anything in the world we shall have you to thank for it." They watched him go down the street; and then, turning to the boy, Mr. Laythorne said,— "This is a happier start than I expected. Now let us go to the school; there are several things to be done before the boys return." "Yes, sir," replied Jim, anxious to make himself useful, and to begin his fresh start in life. L’ENVOI. Seven years have gone by since the events just recorded. It is Christmas Eve, and the streets of Beauleigh are ablaze with light.