But to-day it was different: he stood there on the stage among the workers, proudly answering his teacher's questions, and looking proudly over at the group of idlers,--Bob Turner at their head,--who loitered near the windows, wondering that he could ever have been of their number.

This was going to be a great day for Tip; it is true he was far behind some others of his age, so far that not a single class of Howard Minturn's and Ellis Holbrook's were to be examined that day,--the advance classes being put for the next day,--while all of his came that morning; but then Tip knew there was change enough in him to call the attention of every one present.

He felt the change in himself; his mother felt it, when she that morning brushed his hair for him, and fastened a clean collar on his jacket; the boys in school felt it.

He had taken his place among the workers.
The bell rang at last, and the scholars filed in and took their places.
There were visitors, even in the early morning; the people liked to attend Mr.Burrows' examinations.

Tip's class in reading came first on the list, and never had his eyes been so bright or his face so eager.