"No, I do not forget, Miss Adams, that he is the brightest boy in school, has always been a mark to shoot at, and that there is not one boy in this school, half as wise and good as Roland." "Sit down, Madeline," said Mr. Norton; "this matter shall be looked into." The excitement had passed, and the little advocate, over-powered, bowed her head upon her desk, and wept convulsively. Mr. Norton examined the fragments of paper; they were all proved to be Roland's. George Adams was suspended for dishonorable practice; and Roland, after another written examination, promoted to the highest rank in school. A practical lesson of the truth of that Scripture which declares that, "He who humbleth himself shall be exalted, and he that exalteth himself, shall be abased." "Really," said Lizzie Belton, "I think that Madeline Hamilton makes a fool of herself by the fuss she makes over these Bruces; they are well enough in their place, but they are no companions for me." Lizzie had not forgotten her rebuff, nor, since that time, had she made any progress towards intimacy with Madeline Hamilton. After school, Roland hurried over to Madeline. "I am sorry that you have made such an enemy, Miss Madeline; Miss Adams will not forgive you very soon. If you had only waited until school was out; it was such a public exposure." "I did not think of anything, Roland, but two people; I did not even see any body but Roland Bruce, and that mean, contemptible George Adams." "Won't you try to subdue some of your quickness, Miss Madeline? I fear that it will bring you into trouble." "There is no use, Roland; I have a hot, quick temper, and it makes a hasty tongue." "You are a warm little friend, and I thank you for your kindness to one so humble as I, for I am nothing but the son of a very poor woman, who has to struggle hard to find her children bread." "Just to think of that Miss Adams, calling your mother, your good mother, a low huckster woman." "I know that she is not, and I pitied Miss Adams when she made such a speech before her scholars; for she hurt herself more than the did my dear, precious mother." "Don't I wish, Roland, that you would live to be a great man; wouldn't they all be ashamed of themselves?" "Don't be troubled, Miss Madeline, I am trying all that I can to be a learned and good man; and I know that God will take care of me if I am His child, and I humbly hope that I am." "When you are a great man, you shall come right down here among them, and make grand speeches; and won't I be glad to see them all bowing to Mr. Roland Bruce, the poor widow's son." Roland could not help laughing at the little enthusiast, for he was but sixteen now, and many a weary year must pass away, and many rugged hills be scaled, ere he should figure as a great man among the people of Maple Lane school. CHAPTER V. YOUTHFUL VISIONS.