“But we needn’t go on about Cincinnatus, need we?” said Ben, who had taken Fred’s whip out of his hand, and was trying its efficiency on the cat.

“No, go out now.  But put that whip down.  How very mean of you to whip poor old Tortoise!  Pray take the whip from him, Fred.”

“Come, old boy, give it me,” said Fred, putting out his hand.

“Will you let me ride on your horse to-day?” said Ben, rendering up the whip, with an air of not being obliged to do it.

“Not to-day—­another time.  I am not riding my own horse.”

“Shall you see Mary to-day?”

“Yes, I think so,” said Fred, with an unpleasant twinge.

“Tell her to come home soon, and play at forfeits, and make fun.”

“Enough, enough, Ben! run away,” said Mrs. Garth, seeing that Fred was teased. . .

“Are Letty and Ben your only pupils now, Mrs. Garth?” said Fred, when the children were gone and it was needful to say something that would pass the time.  He was not yet sure whether he should wait for Mr. Garth, or use any good opportunity in conversation to confess to Mrs. Garth herself, give her the money and ride away.

“One—­only one.  Fanny Hackbutt comes at half past eleven.  I am not getting a great income now,” said Mrs. Garth, smiling.  “I am at a low ebb with pupils.  But I have saved my little purse for Alfred’s premium:  I have ninety-two pounds.  He can go to Mr. Hanmer’s now; he is just at the right age.”

This did not lead well towards the news that Mr. Garth was on the brink of losing ninety-two pounds and more.  Fred was silent.  “Young gentlemen who go to college are rather more costly than that,” Mrs. Garth innocently continued, pulling out the edging on a cap-border.  “And Caleb thinks that Alfred will turn out a distinguished engineer:  he wants to give the boy a good chance.  There he is!  I hear him coming in.  We will go to him in the parlor, shall we?”

When they entered the parlor Caleb had thrown down his hat and was seated at his desk.

“What!  Fred, my boy!” he said, in a tone of mild surprise, holding his pen still undipped; “you are here betimes.”  But missing the usual expression of cheerful greeting in Fred’s face, he immediately added, “Is there anything up at home?—­anything the matter?”

“Yes, Mr. Garth, I am come to tell something that I am afraid will give you a bad opinion of me.  I am come to tell you and Mrs. Garth that I can’t keep my word.  I can’t find the money to meet the bill after all.  I have been unfortunate; I have only got these fifty pounds towards the hundred and sixty.”

While Fred was speaking, he had taken out the notes and laid them on the desk before Mr. Garth.  He had burst forth at once with the plain fact, feeling boyishly miserable and without verbal resources.  Mrs. Garth was mutely astonished, and looked at her husband for an explanation.  Caleb blushed, and after a little pause said—­