So you had
better be reasonable, and take our advice while you can be made
comfortable.'
'Please, sir, I can't go against my promise,' answered Stephen, with a
sob.
'What's the use of wasting one's breath?' said the master; 'this place
I want, and this place I'll have; and we'll see if this young jail-bird
will stand in my way. Ah, my fine fellow, it's no such secret where your
grandfather spent twenty-one years of his life; and you'll have a sup of
the same broth some day. You don't keep a dog like that yelping cur for
nothing; and I'll tell the gamekeeper to have his eye upon you.'
Stephen stood motionless, watching them down the narrow path which led to
Botfield, until a rabbit started from beneath the hedge, and Snip, with a
sharp, short bark of excitement, gave it chase in the direction of the
two men. The master paused, and, looking back, shook his stick
threateningly at the motionless figure of the boy; while Thomas Wyley
threw a stone at the dog, which sent him back, yelping piteously, to his
young master's feet. Stephen clenched his hands, and bit his lips till
the blood started, but he did not move till the last glimpse of his foes
had passed away from the hillside.
Pages:
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43