The fire of wood-chips blazed brightly, and gave out a
pleasant heat; and every one of the little party felt a quiet enjoyment,
though there were many tender thoughts of little Nan.
'We may be pilgrims,' said Tim reflectively, over a slice of cake, 'but
there's lots of pleasant things sent us by the way.'
They were still at tea when the gamekeeper, who was passing by, and who
guessed from the smoke from the chimney, and the donkey grazing in the
new pasture, that some gipsies had taken possession of Fern's Hollow,
came to look through the unglazed window. He had not seen Stephen since
his illness, and there was something in his wasted face and figure which
touched even him.
'I'm sorry to see thee looking so badly, my lad,' he said; 'I must speak
to my missis to send you something nourishing, for I've not forgotten
you, Stephen. If ever there comes a time when I can speak up about any
business of yours without hurting myself, you may depend upon me; but I
don't like making enemies, and the Bible says we must live peaceably
with all men. I heard talk of you wanting some out-door work for a
while; and there's my wife's brother is wanting a shepherd's boy.
Pages:
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149