"HUGH, dear lad, it is getting too chilly for you to do your lessons out of doors; besides, the breakfast bell has rung twice already."
"I know, mother, I heard it, but my sums were simply awful! I believe old Deans picked out the worst in the book."
Hugh spoke bitterly, and his mother's face took a troubled look.
It was a beautiful October morning, and Hugh, who had worked in vain at his lessons the night before, arose early and took up his position on the swing in the garden. This was his favourite place when he had any very tiresome problem to do. He was wont to say that the air cleared his brain and that the slight swaying movement helped with the "toughest" bit of work.
"How have you been getting on this morning?" asked his mother anxiously.
"I've got them right at last, I believe," he said exultantly; "that donkey Deans shall see for himself I can work without a key."
Despite the courage in Hugh's voice, the quick eyes of love could see the trouble on his brow. However, later on, Mrs. Rose started them off with her usual smile and bright good-bye.
"God will prosper the right, my boy," she said to Hugh in parting; "brave it out like a man; only a guilty conscience need fear to face the world."
Hugh, cheered by her words, felt somehow fully an inch taller. "Yes, he would brave it out, and show the whole school that he was not afraid," thought he.
Mr. Deans, with whom Hugh, despite his frequent acts of daring and mischief, was really a favourite, seemed remarkably pleased with his pupil's home lessons that morning.