Nell sat by the window occupied with her work, but attentive still to all

that passed, though sometimes rather timid of the boisterous boys.

The lessons over, writing time began; and there being but one desk

and that the master's, each boy sat at it in turn and laboured at his

crooked copy, while the master walked about. This was a quieter time;

for he would come and look over the writer's shoulder, and tell him

mildly to observe how such a letter was turned in such a copy on the

wall, praise such an up-stroke here and such a down-stroke there,

and bid him take it for his model. Then he would stop and tell them

what the sick child had said last night, and how he had longed to be

among them once again; and such was the poor schoolmaster's gentle

and affectionate manner, that the boys seemed quite remorseful that

they had worried him so much, and were absolutely quiet; eating no

apples, cutting no names, inflicting no pinches, and making no

grimaces, for full two minutes afterwards.

I think, boys,' said the schoolmaster when the clock struck twelve,

that I shall give an extra half-holiday this afternoon.'

At this intelligence, the boys, led on and headed by the tall boy, raised

a great shout, in the midst of which the master was seen to speak, but

could not be heard. As he held up his hand, however, in token of his

wish that they should be silent, they were considerate enough to leave

off, as soon as the longest-winded among them were quite out of

breath.

'You must promise me first,' said the schoolmaster, 'that you'll not be

noisy, or at least, if you are, that you'll go away and be so - away out

of the village I mean. I'm sure you wouldn't disturb your old playmate

and companion.'

There was a general murmur (and perhaps a very sincere one, for they

were but boys) in the negative; and the tall boy, perhaps as sincerely

as any of them, called those about him to witness that he had only

shouted in a whisper.

Then pray don't forget, there's my dear scholars,' said the

schoolmaster, 'what I have asked you, and do it as a favour to me. Be

as happy as you can, and don't be unmindful that you are blessed

with health. Good-bye all!'

Thank'ee, Sir,' and 'good-bye, Sir,' were said a good many times in a

variety of voices, and the boys went out very slowly and softly. But

there was the sun shining and there were the birds singing, as the

sun only shines and the birds only sing on holidays and half-holidays;

there were the trees waving to all free boys to climb and nestle among

their leafy branches; the hay, entreating them to come and scatter it

to the pure air; the green corn, gently beckoning towards wood and

The Old Curiosity Shop