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 carrying very carefully an odd-shaped package, led the way to the school door.  Billy Butler was standing not far off.  He had no fear of the schoolboys now, and sometimes came to the gate when school was dismissed to nod to each one he knew, and to say the names over in his hoarse voice.  Jacob called out to him in a friendly tone, and the boy followed him to the school steps.

Mr. Sinclair was as much surprised as his pupils at the arrival of his visitors; but he hastily gave them seats, and was about to call for classes again, when Mr. Patterson said in his big round voice,—­

“Young people, I have not come here to examine your progress in your studies, but to tell you how delighted I am with the work you have been at this week.  I have never felt so proud of the Hill-top schoolboys before, and I want to ask you to keep on as you have begun.

“I’m afraid I have not always been as thoughtful for my animal friends as I could wish; but, watching a little neighbor of mine whose pets require a great deal of care, and whose master is devoted to them, has made me think a little more of the matter.”

Master Sunshine smiled over at Tommy as much as to say, “Do you hear him praising you?” for the little fellow did not even dream that it was his love for his pets and his brave conduct towards Billy Butler which had brought about this visit.

“If you boys,” continued the banker, “will study the needs of all the animals about us, and keep on talking about all the kind deeds you learn of, we shall soon have a model village, where every horse and cow, and lamb and dog and cat, will be comfortably looked after.

“I have heard that your good teacher, Mr. Sinclair, has been wishing for a school library for you,” he continued, “so I have to-day brought my contribution towards it.”  And as the banker spoke he untied the great bundles of handsomely bound natural history books enriched with many beautiful colored pictures, and a number of volumes of stories of animals.