But poor Sawyer understood it--in some respects his perceptions were almost abnormally sharp; he read between the lines of Jack's rough-and-ready, boy-like manner, and understood perfectly that here was a chance for him--a chance in a thousand, of gaining some degree of the popularity he had hitherto so unfortunately failed to obtain.

And to the bottom of his heart he felt grateful to Berkeley--but alas! "He grew crimson with vexation.
"'I am dreadfully sorry, Berkeley,' he said, 'dreadfully sorry that I cannot respond as I would like to your request.

At this moment unfortunately, I am very peculiarly out of pocket.

Stay,'-- with a momentary gleam of hope, 'will you let me see the subscription list.
How--how much do you think would please the boys ?' "'A guinea wouldn't be--would please them very much, and of course two would be still better,' said Jack drily.

Already he had in his own mind pronounced a final verdict upon Mr.Sawyer, already he had begun to tell himself what a fool he had been for having anything more to do with him, but yet, with the British instinct of giving an accused man a fair chance, he waited till all hope was over.
"'A guinea, two guineas ?' repeated Mr.Sawyer sadly.