’May it please your Lordship, we, the boys of Mr. Cuper’s school, are desirous to bring to the notice of the bravest officer England possesses now living, a Deed of Heroism by a little boy and girl, children of our school laundress, aged respectively eight and six, who, seeing a little fellow in the water out of depth, and sinking twice, before the third time jumped in to save him, though unable to swim themselves; the girl aged six first, we are sorry to say; but the brother, Robert Coop, followed her example, and together they made a line, and she caught hold of the drowning boy, and he held her petycoats, and so they pulled.  We have seen the place:  it is not a nice one.  They got him ashore at last.  The park-keeper here going along found them dripping, rubbing his hands, and blowing into his nostrils.  Name, T. Shellen, son of a small cobbler here, and recovered.

’May it please your Lordship, we make bold to apply, because you have been for a number of years, as far as the oldest can recollect, the Hero of our school, and we are so bold as to ask the favour of General Lord Ormont’s name to head a subscription we are making to circulate for the support of their sick mother, who has fallen ill.  We think her a good woman.  Gentlemen and ladies of the neighbourhood are willing to subscribe.  If we have a great name to head the list, we think we shall make a good subscription.  Names:—­

        ’Martha Mary Coop, mother. 
        ’Robert Coop. 
        ’Jane Coop, the girl, aged six.

   ’If we are not taking too great a liberty, a subscription paper will
   follow.  We are sure General the Earl of Ormont’s name will help to
   make them comfortable. 
        ’We are obediently and respectfully,
               ’David Gowen,
               ’Walter bench,
               ’James PANNERS parsons,
               ‘And seven others.’

Weyburn spared Aminta an answering look, that would have been a begging of Browny to remember Matey.

’It ‘s genuine,’ he said to Mrs. Lawrence, as he attacked his plate with the gusto for the repast previously and benignly observed by her.  ’It ought to be the work of some of the younger fellows.’

‘They spell correctly, on the whole.’

‘Excepting,’ said my lord, ‘an article they don’t know much about yet.’

Weyburn had noticed the word, and he smiled.  ’Said to be the happy state!  The three signing their names are probably what we called bellman and beemen, collector, and heads of the swarm-enthusiasts.  If it is not the work of some of the younger hands, the school has levelled on minors.  In any case it shows the school is healthy.’

‘I subscribe,’ said Mrs. Lawrence.

‘The little girl aged six shall have something done for her,’ said Aminta, and turned her eyes on the earl.

He was familiar with her thrilled voice at a story of bravery.  He said—­