fool. He knew, if he had allowed himself to say so fairly and squarely, that a man without education must of necessity make but a poor show in the world among his f

scramble through his lessons, and to present a more decent appearance ther

il to take their colour from their surroundings. Geoff was influenced this way and that by every wind that blew. Had it not been for Alick's bad example, the boy would have been as orderly and obedient a pupil as even his tutor could desire. As matters stood, however, Geoff trod on the heels of his mutinous elder brother in every mischief hatched at the Bunk. There was this distinct difference between the rebels, however: Ali

that North Pole expedition. He has given up the sea; and you'll never guess the land trade he means to take up, not if you sat down for six weeks to think it out. You couldn't, s

did you hear?' shou

sey all about it, and-- But, wait a bit, I'll come up beside you an

of, Muster Geoff?' Binks, with sp

erry, Binks, don't you? He has

s he? Jes' so! Well

ly observed. 'Take an earthquake to w

lad's left an arm be

dn't know; she told me about the bullfinches, but she couldn't say how the arm was lost. I should say it must have been ni

wind as blights and nips, sure as sure. Once, I remember, there was a travellin' bear came Northbourne way. 'Twas when I was a b'y, same's your two selves. This yere bear had a man with it, a mounseer, to judge from his tongue. He wasn't a bad chap,

impatiently broke in Alick.

rryin' sart, you are. I should think as the teacher-genelman must have h

untenance; but he forbore to retort, recognising that t

sively said Geoff, thrilling to

hare, and was watching his master out of them cunning eyes bears has. Of a suddent he clawed away the victuals and bolted them; then there was a shriek from poor Frenchy, and we all saw as the bear had him in a grim death-hug. I tell you it took a few North

in Geoff. 'Did they d

in' to one of them Polar beasts as Jerry lost his arm, but we'll hear about that from hisself. Poor lad, he wasn't a bad sort, Jerry. You could always take his word for whatever 'twas. I never knowed Jerry tell a lie, and

at is, what brought Jerry Blunt back to Northbourne? If I'd his chances, and

in each of us like cords that draws a man to the old home. 'Tis nature, as the Almighty 'as planted deep in our hearts, a-workin' in the wust of

r the wrinkled face. He had forgotten, the mischievous boys perched on the wall above, forgotten Jerry, the returned wanderer, in the thought

und to the lane; perhaps we might c

e beach on the other side to make off, amid a distracting volley of heart