Putting David aside (indeed, he seemed for the first time to forget the
boy's presence), he took her by the two hands and looked down into her
face. Apparently he read something there, something which startled him,
almost shocked him.

Irresolute, alas! Too late; for just then all the three Dalziel boys
rushed into the house and the school-room, followed by their grandmother.
The old lady looked a good deal surprised, perhaps a little displeased,
fro on to the other.

Mr. Roy perceived it, and recovered himself in an instant, letting go
Fortune's hands and placing himself in front of her, between her and Mrs.
Dalziel. Long afterward she remembered that trivial act--remembered it
with the tender gratitude of the protected toward the protector, if
nothing more.

"You see, I came, as I told you I should, if possible, to bid Miss
Williams good-by, and wee Davie. They both kindly admitted me, and we
have had half an hour's merry chat, have we not Davie? Now, my man,
good-by." He took up the little fellow and kissed him, and then
extended his hand. "Good-by, Miss Williams. I hope your little pupils
will value you as you deserve."

Then, with a courteous and formal farewell to the old lady, and a most
uproarious one from the boys, he went to the door, but turned round,
saying to the eldest boy, distinctly and clearly--though she was at the
farther end of the room, she heard, and was sure he meant her to hear
every word:

"By-the-by, Archy, there is something I was about to explain to Miss