The Reverend Augustin considered the matter with the assistance of his wife, and being charitable souls, they determined that they must help Short to educate his son.

Accordingly the vicar of Billingsfield wrote to his old friend to say that if he could manage to pay a small sum for the lad's board, he, the vicar, would complete the boy's education, so that he might at least have a chance in the world.

Short accepted the offer with boundless gratitude and had hitherto not failed to pay the vicar the small sum agreed upon.

The result of all this was that Mr.Ambrose had grown very fond of John, and John had derived great advantage from his position.

He possessed precisely what his father had lacked, namely a strong bent in one direction, and there was no doubt that he would distinguish himself if he had a chance.