Quicksilver | Page 9

enough to go," said the schoolmaster.
"Yes," said Mr Hippetts; "a most ungrateful boy."
The little fellow--stunted of his age--swung sharply round; and they
saw that his eyes were brimming over as he looked reproachfully from
one to the other.

"I didn't want to be a bad un, sir," he said. "I did try, and--and--
and--I'll stop here, please, and--"
He could say no more, for his face was working, and, at last, in shame
and agony of spirit, he covered his face with his hands, and let himself
drop in a heap on the stone floor, sobbing hysterically.
"Coleby! Stand up, sir!" cried the master sternly.
"Let him be, Mr Hippetts, if you please," said the doctor, with dignity;
and he drew in a long breath, and remained for some moments silent,
while the whole school stared with wondering eyes, and the two
masters exchanged glances.
"Strange boy," said Mr Hippetts.
Then the doctor bent down slowly, and laid his hand upon the lad's
shoulder.
The little fellow started up, flinching as if from a blow, but as soon as
he saw who had touched him, he rose to his knees, and caught quickly
at the doctor's extended hand, while the look in the visitor's eyes had so
strange an influence upon him that he continued to gaze wonderingly in
the stern but benevolent face.
"I think you'll come with me?" said the doctor.
"Yes, I'd come. But may I?"
"Yes; I think he may, Mr Hippetts?" said the doctor.
"Yes, sir; of course, sir, if you wish it," said the master, with rather an
injured air; "but I feel bound to tell you the boy's character."
"Yes; of course."
"And to warn you, sir, that you will bring him back in less than a
week."

"No, Mr Hippetts," said the doctor quietly; "I shall not bring him
back."
"Well, sir; if you are satisfied I have nothing to say."
"I am satisfied, Mr Hippetts."
"But he is not so old as you said, sir."
"No."
"And you wanted a boy of good character."
"Yes; but I recall all I said. That is the boy I want. Can I take him at
once?"
"At once, sir!" said the master, as the little fellow, with his face a study,
listened eagerly, and looked from one to the other. "I shall have to
bring your proposal before the Board."
"That is to say, before me and my colleagues," said the doctor, smiling.
"Well, as one of the Guardians, I think I may venture to take the boy
now, and the formal business can be settled afterwards."
"Oh yes, sir; of course. And I venture to think, sir, that it will not be
necessary to go on with it."
"Why, Mr Hippetts?"
"Because," said the master, with a peculiar smile which was reflected
in the schoolmaster's face; "you are sure to bring him back."
"I think I said before I shall not bring him back," replied the doctor
coldly.
The master bowed, and Mr Sibery cleared his throat and frowned at the
boys.
"Then I think that's all," said the doctor, laying his hand upon the boy's

head.
"Do I understand you, sir, to mean that you want to take him now?"
"Directly."
"But his clothes, sir; and he must be--"
"I want to take him directly, Mr Hippetts, with your permission, and he
will need nothing more from the Union."
"Very good, sir; and I hope that he will take your kindness to heart. Do
you hear, Coleby? And be a very good boy to his benefactor, and--"
"Yes, yes, yes, Mr Hippetts," said the doctor, cutting him short. "I'm
sure he will. Now, my man, are you ready?"
"Yes, sir," cried the boy eagerly; "but--"
"Well?" said the doctor kindly.
"I should like to say good-bye to some of the chaps, and I've got
something to give 'em."
"Indeed! what?"
"Well, sir; I want to give Dick Dean my mouse, and Tommy Robson my
nicker, and share all my buttons among the chaps in my dormitory; and
then I've six pieces of string and a pair of bones, and a sucker."
"Go and share them, and say good-bye to them all," said the doctor,
drawing a breath full of satisfaction; and the boy darted away full of
excitement.
"May I say a word to the boys, Mr Sibery?" said the doctor, smiling.
"Certainly, sir."
"Will you call for silence?"

The master called, and the doctor asked the lads to give their old
schoolfellow a cheer as he was going away.
They responded with a shout that made the windows rattle.
"And now," said the doctor, "I'm going to ask Mr Hippetts to give you
all a holiday, and I am leaving threepence a piece to be distributed
among you, so that you may have