“Heigh-ho!” continued Captain Reeves, “I am but poor myself at present, though I think there is a silver cloud looming in the distance—but hereby hangs another tale. I am poor, you see; but mind you, that Miguel is not only poor, but proud as well.
“But it is genuine pride, and I believe you will like the young fellow better when I tell you that he is in my view a hero.
“During the divinity session a student who desires to enter the Established Church, and to make a good show before the examiners, has hard work enough in following out his studies, which as a rule are as dry as dust.
“But Mig adds considerably to his income, pays his fees, keeps himself in clothes, and is able to purchase his mother many a little luxury by teaching music and languages all the weary winter through, and during a part of the early summer also.”
“Brave boy!” I cried; “he is indeed a hero!”
“Ah! but wait a wee,” said Reeves; “this is not all.”
“No?”
“No, indeed; the greatest heroism is to come. Mind you, I would not care if he stayed here during the long vacation. Limited though my means are, I should not miss his food.
“But here again his pride comes in, and what do you think he has been doing during the last two months or over?”
“I fear I could not even guess.”