They had done right in coming to him, he
said; and he gave Stephen enough money to supply the immediate
necessities of his family, at the same time bidding him apply for more
if he needed any; for he knew that a boy of his principle and character
would never live upon other people's charity whenever he could work for
himself.
How refreshing and strengthening it was upon the tableland that spring
afternoon! The red leaf-buds of the bilberry-wires were just bursting
forth, and the clumps of gorse were tinged with the first golden
flowers. Every kind of moss was there carpeting the ground with a bright
fresh green from the moisture of the spring showers. As for the birds,
they seemed absolutely in a frenzy of enjoyment, and seemed to forget
that they had their nests to build as they flew from bush to bush,
singing merrily in the sunshine.
Tim wrapped a cloak round Stephen; and then they faced the breeze gaily,
as it swept to meet them with a pure breath over miles of heath and
budding flowers. No wonder that Stephen's heart rose within him with a
rekindled gladness and gratitude; while Tim became almost as wild as the
birds.
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