Part 10 (1/2)

Aleck rested his throbbing head upon his crossed ar which, in a short half-hour, he went through what seee of trouble, before he started up, and in an excited, spas in his half-waking, half-sleeping state, but under the influence of his troubled thoughts, he roughly selected a few of his under-things for a change and made them up into a bundle, after which he counted over the 's disburseh, and that the sooner he ay from the dear old Den the better

At last all his preparations were iven him by his uncle ready upon the chair which held his bundle; and then, with his head throbbing worse than ever, producing a feeling of confusion and unreality that was lass to look at his strangely-altered features

”I can't go like that,” he said, shrinking back in horror But like an answer to his words came from far back in his brain, and as if in a faint whisper: ”You o now, unless you're too great a coward”

”Yes,” he o now--as soon as it's dark

Not wanted here--Toer--he'll help me--to a shi+p”

He had sunk heavily into a chair, right back, with his head nodding forward till his chin rested upon his breast, and the next moment he had sunk into a feverish stupor, in which his head i, and in soed with Big Jeular pendulum-like beat upon his head, while in spite of all his efforts he could never get one blow back in return at theface, whose lipswords which nearly drove hination

And ere the words, repeated quite clearly now?

”Master Aleck, don't be so silly! Wake up, you're pretending to be asleep Oh, my! what a state your face is in! And your head's as hot as fire”

CHAPTER SEVEN

”That you, Jane?”

”Why, of course it is Were you really asleep?”

”Asleep? No--yes I don't know, Jane My head's all gone queer, I think”

”And no wonder, fighting like that, and never touching a bit of the dinner I brought you up Yes, your head's all in a fever, and your poor swelled-up eyes too That's better Now, then, you must take this”

”What is it?” said the lad, drowsily

”What is it? Why, can't you see?”

”No;round and round, and my eyes won't open”

”Neverbreakfast-cup of nice, fresh, hot tea, and two rounds of buttered toast

They'll do your head good”

”I say, Jane, where's uncle?”

”In his room He's had some too I didn't wait to be asked, but took the tea in”

”What was he doing?” said Aleck

”Writing”

”His book?”

”No, letters; and as busy as could be Come, try and drink your tea”