The Rebel of the School | Page 5

the best."
"They are dead," said Ruth. "I don't remember them. I have a picture of
my father upstairs; it is taken with his uniform on. He looks very
handsome. And I have a little water-color sketch of my mother, and she
looks fair and sweet and interesting. But I never knew them. Those I

knew and know and love are you, grandfather, and granny."
"Well, dear, when I had the power and the brains and the strength, I
kept a shop--a grocer's shop, dear; and my wife, she was the daughter
of a harness-maker. Your grandparents were both in trade; there's no
way out of it."
"But a gentleman and lady for all that," said the girl.
She pressed close to the old man, took one of his weather-beaten hands
between both of her own, and stroked it.
"That is as people think, Ruthie; but we weren't in the position, and
never expect to be, of those who are high up in the world."
"I am glad you told me about my father and mother," said the girl. "I
love both their memories. I am glad to think that my father served the
Queen, and that my mother was the daughter of a clergyman. But I am
more glad to think that there never was such an honorable man as you,
granddad, and that you made the grocery trade one of the best in the
world."
"It was a bad trade, my darling. I had several severe losses. It was very
unfortunate my lending that money."
"What money?"
"Oh, I will tell you another time; it doesn't really matter. There was a
little bit of ingratitude there, but it doesn't matter. Only I made no
fortune by grocery--barely enough to put my boy into the army and to
educate him for it, and enough to keep us with a pittance now that we
are old. But I have nothing to leave you, sweetest. You just have your
pension from the Government, which don't count for nothing at all."
Ruth rose to her feet.
"I am glad I got into the school," she said. "I hope to do wonders there.
I mean to take every scrap of good the place opens out to me. I mean to

work as hard as ever I can. You shall be desperately proud of me; and
so shall granny, although she doesn't hold with much learning."
"But I do, little girl; I love it more than anything. I have got such a
lovely scheme in my head. I will work alongside of you, Ruth--you and
I at the same things. You can lend me the books when you don't want
them."
"What a splendid idea!" said Ruth, clapping her hands.
"You look quite happy, my dear."
"And so I am. I am about the happiest girl on earth. And now, may I
begin to look through my lessons for to-morrow?"
The old man arranged the lamp where its light would be most
comfortable for the keen young eyes, and Ruth sat down to the table,
got out her books, and worked for an hour or two. Mrs. Craven came in,
looked at her proudly, wagged her head, and returned to the kitchen.
After a time she came to the door and beckoned to the old man to
follow her. But the old man had taken up one of Ruth's books and was
absorbed in its contents; he was muttering words over under his breath.
"Coming, wife--coming presently," he said.
Ruth's head was bent over her books. Mr. Craven rose and went on
tiptoe into the kitchen.
"We mustn't disturb her, Susan," he said. "We must let her have her
own way. She must work just as long as she likes. She is going to be a
great power in the land, is that child, with her beauty and her talent;
there's nothing she can't aspire to."
"Now don't you be a silly old man," said Mrs. Craven. "And what on
earth were you whispering about to yourself when I came in?"
"I am going to work with her. It will be a wonderful stimulation, and a
great interest to me. I always was keen for book-learning."

Mrs. Craven suppressed a sigh.
"If I even had fifty pounds," she said, "I wouldn't let that child spend
every hour at school. I'd dress up smart, and take her out, and get her
the very best husband I could. Why, old man, what does a woman want
with all that learning?"
"If a woman has brains she's bound to use them," replied the old man,
as he sat down by the kitchen fire.
Meanwhile Ruth went on with her lessons. After a time, however, she
uttered a sigh. She flung down her books and looked across the room.
"If he