Bradley hesitated for a moment; but placed his usual signature, enlarged, upon the board.

“I ain’t a learned character myself,” said Riderhood, surveying the class, “but I do admire learning in others. I should dearly like to hear these here young folks read that there name off, from the writing.”

The arms of the class went up. At the miserable master’s nod, the shrill chorus arose: “Bradley Headstone!”

“No?” cried Riderhood. “You don’t mean it? Headstone! Why, that’s in a churchyard. Hooroar for another turn!”

Another tossing of arms, another nod, and another shrill chorus:

“Bradley Headstone!”

“I’ve got it now!” said Riderhood, after attentively listening, and internally repeating: “Bradley. I see. Chris’en name, Bradley sim’lar to Roger which is my own. Eh? Fam’ly name, Headstone, sim’lar to Riderhood which is my own. Eh?”