He was nervous as usual, more nervous than usual probably, and perhaps his hands were shaking, for as he drew his letter hastily out of the envelope, something fluttered to the ground at Jack's feet.
"It was a cheque for twenty pounds, and conspicuous on the lowest line was the signature of a well-known publishing firm.

Instinctively Jack stooped to pick it up and handed it to its owner--it had been impossible for him not to see what he did, but he had thought no more about it, beyond a passing wonder in his own mind, as to 'what on earth Sawyer got to write about,' and had forgotten all about it till the meeting of the fireworks committee recalled it to his memory.
"But it was with a feeling of pleasant expectancy, not unmixed with some consciousness of his own magnanimity in 'giving old Sawyer a chance again,' that Jack made his way to the junior master's quarters, the list of subscribers in his hand.
"He made a pleasant picture, as, in answer to the 'come in' which followed his knock at the door, he opened it and stood on the threshold of Mr.Sawyer's room--his bright, honest, blue-eyed, fair-haired 'English boy' face smiling in through the doorway.

With almost painful eagerness the junior master bade him welcome; he liked Jack so much, and would so have rejoiced could the attraction have been mutual.

And this was the first time that Jack had voluntarily sought Mr.Sawyer in his own quarters since the bar-jumping affair.

Mr.Sawyer's spirits rose at the sight of him, and hope again entered his heart--hope that after all, his position at Ryeburn, which he was beginning to fear it was nonsense to attempt to retain, in face of the evident dislike to him, might yet alter for the better.
"'I have not a good way with them--that must be it,' he had said to himself sadly that very morning.