"Of course, that is only reasonable."
"Not that a watch would pay me for the loss of Prince. I'd rather have him than three watches; but it doesn't cost anything to keep a watch."
"That's true; but I hope you'll be able to keep the horse."
"So do I," said John; but he had very little expectation of it.
"Well, there's hope ahead, old fellow," said Sam, cheerfully. "Next year we'll enter college, and then you'll be out of the way of Master Ben and your kind stepmother, for forty weeks in the year, at any rate."
"I hope so," said John, slowly.
"You hope so?" repeated Sam. "You don't expect Mrs. Oakley will remove to Cambridge, so that you may still be favored with her charming company?"
"I don't feel sure of going to Cambridge myself," said John, soberly.
"You don't mean to say you're afraid you won't pass the examination? If you don't, there'll be precious little chance for the rest of us."