Mrs Gray almost ran to the door.

"Bernard, you must be drenched!" she cried.
"No, Mother, not a bit of it," he laughed, taking off his streaming mackintosh.
"It is such a dreadful day," she said, but her face had brightened astonishingly at the sight of her brave boy.
"Yes, but it has put a scheme--a grand scheme in my head! Wait until I get my wet togs off and I'll tell you." "An _experiment_ ?--already! oh, Bernard!" Mrs Gray laughed with actual joy: her faith in her only son was so unquestioning.
As Bernard came downstairs, the faithful old servant was carrying in a substantial tea for her young master.

"Hullo, Dolly," he cried; "I haven't stayed up the remainder of the term, you see." "Ah, Mr Bernard, it's well you take it so lightly--but it's black ruin this time and no mistake.

My poor mistress has been fretting night and day over it.

Whatever is she to do ?" "Trust herself to me," said Bernard valiantly.
Dolly laughed.