tree in the neighbourhood which produced such fruit as that. He had
often seen the tree from the road, but had never dared to venture near,
as it was too close to Captain Josh's house. He knew now where the
lunch had come from, and it made him so excited that for awhile he
forgot to eat as he sat there thinking it all over.

When Rod went home from school, Mrs. Royal noticed the crimson mark
upon his cheek where the whip had struck him. She asked no questions,
however, for she wanted Rod to tell of his own free will how it
happened. It was after he was in bed, that the boy looked up
inquiringly into Mrs. Royal's face, as she stood by his side before
bidding him good-night.

"Grandma," he began, "what is a pauper?"

"Oh, it is a person who has no home, and no money, and has to live upon
others," was the reply.

"Am I a pauper, grandma?" and the boy's face flushed.

"You a pauper!" Mrs. Royal exclaimed, as she sat down upon a chair by
the side of the bed. "What makes you ask such a question, dear?
Whoever put such an idea into your head?"

"Tom Dunker said that I am a pauper."

"He did! When did he tell you that?"

"To-day, just before he hit me with his whip and made the mark upon my
cheek."