from his own garden."

"Ah!" said the teacher, well pleased at the report. "Dick, I think
you have done best of all;" and the boys thumped on the floor with
their heavy boots, and banged the covers of the desks, to show
their appreciation of the good deed.





CHAPTER VII.

A HAPPY ENDING.


Just as Mr. Sinclair laid his hand on the bell to give the signal
for dismissal, a handsome carriage drove to the door. The boys all
stared out of the window at the unusual sight. Banker Patterson
was helping a lady to alight, and the lady was none other than
Almira Jane. Jacob was smiling down from the driver's seat at the
queer couple.

Master Sunshine rubbed his eyes in bewilderment. What could Almira
Jane be doing there? and what could be in that great basket that
Jacob was handing down to her? It looked very much like the great
picnic-basket that hung in the kitchen pantry!

And now it was the banker's turn to be loaded up. Jacob gave him
several heavy parcels, and finally jumped from his perch and