"Very well," said Mr. Laythorne; "that shall be as you please." And before Jim's father left, the two drew up a fresh and eminently satisfactory arrangement.
"And now," said the sailor, "I'll just slip my moorings and run back.—Good-bye, my boy. Write often to your mother, and try to show this gentleman you're worth the care he has bestowed on you.—Good-bye, sir. If Jim comes to be worth anything in the world we shall have you to thank for it."
They watched him go down the street; and then, turning to the boy, Mr. Laythorne said,—
"This is a happier start than I expected. Now let us go to the school; there are several things to be done before the boys return."
"Yes, sir," replied Jim, anxious to make himself useful, and to begin his fresh start in life.
L'ENVOI.
Seven years have gone by since the events just recorded. It is Christmas Eve, and the streets of Beauleigh are ablaze with light.
People are hurrying to and fro, laughing, talking, pausing now and again to wish each other the compliments of the season. Children stand at the shop windows, gazing in wonder and delight at the gorgeous toys, the pretty picture-books, and the numerous games which make them look like fairyland. The bright red berries of the holly shine and sparkle in the brilliant light, the mistletoe hangs temptingly overhead, the turkeys and geese are garlanded with ribbons and decked with green.
Inside the shop of Messrs. Gotch and Parker, the eminent jewellers, a young man is buying an exquisite brooch.
"I think, mother, that this will please her," he remarks to the well-dressed woman seated close by.