Tip don't do either of those things now-a-days, I believe; but I'm sure I don't thank him for his good opinion of me." Howard was glad at this moment to hear the tea-bell peal through the house, for the boys were growing cross.

Most of them had been so astonished at the bold stand which Tip had taken, that they said nothing, only gathered round, and waited to see what would come next.
Howard sprang up.

"There's something I, for one, am ready for.

Come, boys;" and he led the way to the dining-room.

Oh, that dining-room, with its bright lights and splendid table, was such a wonderful sight to Tip! It was a very nice birthday supper,--plates of warm biscuit, platters of cold chicken, dishes of beautiful honey, silver cake-baskets, filled with heavily-frosted cake.