Book-bot.com - read famous books online for free

Through the Fray - A Tale of the Luddite Riots by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty
page 85 of 362 (23%)
running about and shouting prevented him hearing the gate open and
close.

"It's a beastly shame," Ned muttered to himself as he went off to
school, "to borrow money from an old woman like that. Mather must
have known he couldn't pay it, for he has only a small allowance,
and he is always short of money, and of course he could not expect
a tip before the holidays. He might have paid her when he came
back, but as he didn't I don't see how he is to do so now, and if
the old woman tells Porson there will be a row. It's just the sort
of thing would rile him most."

On the next Saturday he watched with some curiosity the entry of the
old woman into the field. Several of the boys went up and bought
sweets. When she was standing alone Mather strolled up to her.
After a word or two he handed her something. She took it, and said
a few words. Mather shook his head positively, and in a minute or
two walked away, leaving her apparently satisfied.

"I suppose he has given her something on account," Ned said to himself.
"I wonder where he got it. When Ripon asked him last Monday for a
subscription to buy another set of bats and wickets, so that two
lots could practise at once, he said he had only sixpence left,
and Mather would not like to seem mean now, for he knows he doesn't
stand well with any one except two or three of his own set, because
he is always running out against everything that Porson does."

A week later Mr. Porson said, at the end of school:

"By the way, boys, have any of you seen that illustrated classical
DigitalOcean Referral Badge