Jack fetched him the following Saturday, and he took with him quite a pile of books, which he studied every spare minute, between one examination and the other. But each in turn proved so difficult, that he almost lost heart after the first day, and it was not until the examination in practical gardening came on, that he began to hope again.
Part of what he had to do was in practical pruning and grafting, and he remembered Betsy's lesson so well, that for this he was awarded full marks, and attracted the notice of the examiner, who reported in most favourable terms on his skill and dexterity in using the pruning knife.
He knew he had done well in this examination, and went home on the Friday somewhat cheered; but still feeling very far from confident that he had passed.
Elsie saw him coming, and went out to the gate to meet him, and to hear the news. But he shook his head sadly, and walked so slowly, as though he had left all hope behind him, that a chill feeling of despair crept over the girl, and she shivered as though the cold had struck her inwardly.
"Oh, Tom, what is it?" she asked, when her brother reached the gate.
"I cannot tell yet, of course; but I am afraid to hope, Elsie. You see the examination was much stiffer than I expected it would be, and I had so little time to work up for it. I did all I could of the papers set, but I know I have not done well in some. The best I did was the one Betsy Gunn coached me in."
"Oh, Tom," gasped Elsie, holding on to the gate for support.
Tom put his arm round her and led her indoors. But either it was the cold, or the shock of his depressing news, or both together, added to the privation she was enduring, that quite overcame her, for she had no sooner sat down on the chair than she fainted, and would have fallen upon the floor, if her mother had not caught her in her arms.
"She is overtired, I am afraid, Tom; help me to carry her up to her own room, and she shall go to bed at once."
Mrs. Winn chafed her hands, while Tom filled a bottle with hot water to put to her feet; but alas, there was not much in the way of restoratives they could give her, except a cup of tea, and Tom made this while his mother helped Elsie to undress.