compared with such service to me. Free this wretched tongue from its
stammer, and thought and zeal will not stammer whenever you say, 'Keep
your promise.' I am so glad your little girl is still with you."

Waife looked surprised, "Is still with me!--why not?" The scholar bit
his tongue. That was not the moment to confess; it might destroy all
Waife's confidence in. him. He would do so later. "When shall I begin
my lesson?"

"Now, if you like. But have you a book in your pocket?"

"I always have."

"Not Greek, I hope, sir?"

"No, a volume of Barrow's Sermons. Lord Chatham recommended those
sermons to his great son as a study for eloquence."

"Good! Will you lend me the volume, sir? and now for it. Listen to me;
one sentence at a time; draw your breath when I do."

The three magpies pricked up their ears again, and, as they listened,
marvelled much.




CHAPTER III.

Could we know by what strange circumstances a man's genius became