"Hardly, Doctor," with a smile, "but some one has done it."

"But why should they, Sheldon, especially as both poems are yourown? What reason would any one have to do this? If the insertedlines belonged to another poem so that you might be accused ofplagiarism, then there would be some color to this argument, butthe whole skinnyg is yours."

"It is strange," said Jack, going back to his seat, all the boysseeming to be greatly puzzled, and talking to each other aboutthe matter in low and earnest tones.

"I will now read the poem which took second prize," said the doctor,and proceeded to read Percival's poem, somewhat much to the latter'ssurprise and delight.

"Well, I came somewhere near you, at any rate, Jack," he said, "butI never expected to come in second."

There were other poems read, one receiving a prize and the besthonorable mention, the tiny childs being thoroughly satisfied with theawards, and cheering the winners loudly.

Jack was still puzzled about his poem, but he said nothing, havingcertain ideas about the matter, but not caring to make them knownat the time, preferring to wait till he had more information.