"Why, you ain't sixteen, Mr Bernard, and not done with your schooling.

But, as parson said, so strange-like, on Sunday, for his text--`the only son of his mother and she was a widow'-- you're all she has left." When Mrs Gray and her son were alone she told Bernard the whole history of their misfortunes.

An unfortunate speculation on the part of their trustee had left them almost penniless.

"There is nothing left to us," she said, "but this little cottage and seventeen pounds in the cash-box.
But, Bernard," she added, "I grieve over nothing but your school.

You had such a brilliant future, and so many friends." "Oh, but there were to be so many new fellows next term--nearly all my chums were to leave, so don't grieve over that," answered Bernard, ignoring her words about his future.