CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
The two lads were such close companions, and so much accustomed to wander off together of an afternoon, fishing, cliff-climbing, and collecting eggs, insects, minerals, or shells, that their long absences were not considered at all extraordinary, though they were noticed by both Mrs Burnet and Lady Ladelle, and one evening formed the subject of a few remarks at dinner.
The Doctor and his wife often dined at the old manor-house, and upon this occasion Mike's mother asked her visitors if they did not think they wandered too much.
"No," said Sir Francis, taking the answer out of his guests' mouths laughingly.

"Mrs Burnet doesn't think anything of the kind, so don't you put such ideas in her head." "But they are often so late, my dear." "Well, it's summer-time, and cooler of an evening.

Pleasantest part of the day.

If they work well, let them play well.

Eh, Burnet ?" "Certainly," said the Doctor, "so long as they don't get into mischief.
But do they work well ?" "What do you say, Mr Deane ?" said the baronet.
"Admirably," replied the tutor; "but I must say that I should like them to have a couple of hours' more study a day--say a couple of hours in the afternoon." "No," said the Doctor emphatically.