The time glided on, but I did not go to the garden again, for my mother

felt that we must not put ourselves under so great an obligation to a

stranger. Neither did I take her over for a walk, but we sat at the

window a great deal after lesson time; and whenever I was alone and

Shock was within sight, he used to indulge in some monkey-like gesture,

all of which seemed meant to show me what a very little he thought of

me.

At the end of a fortnight, as I was sitting at the window talking to a

boy who went to a neighbouring school, and telling him why I did not go,

a great clod of earth came over the wall and hit the boy in the back.

"Who's that!" he cried sharply. "Did you shy that lump?"

"No," I said; and before I could say more, he cried: "I know. It was Brownsmith's baboon shied that. Only let us get him

out in the fields, we'll give it him. You know him, don't you?"

"Do you mean Shock?" I said.

"Yes, that ragged old dirty chap," he cried. "You can see him out of

your window, can't you?"

"I can sometimes," I said; "but I can't now."

"That's because he's sneaking along under the wall. Never mind; we'll

pay him some day if he only comes out."

"Doesn't he come out then?"

"No. He's nobody's boy, and sleeps in the sheds over there. One of

Brownsmith's men picked him up in the road, and brought him home in one

of the market carts. Brownsmith sent him to the workhouse, but he

always runs away and comes back. He's just like a monkey, ain't he?

Here, I must go; but I say, why don't you ask your ma to let you come

and play with us; we have rare games down the meadows, bathing, and

wading, and catching dace?"

"I should like to come," I said dolefully.

"Ah, there's no end of things to see down there--water-rats and frogs;

and there's a swan's nest, with the old bird sitting; and don't the old

cock come after you savage if you go near! Oh, we do have rare games

there on half-holidays! I wish you'd come."

"I should like to," I said.

"Ain't too proud; are you?"

"Oh no!" I said, shaking my head.

"Because I was afraid you were. Well, I shall catch it if I stop any

longer. I say, is your ma better?"

I shook my head.

"Ain't going to die, is she?"

"Oh no!" I said sharply.

"That's all right. Well, you get her to let you come. What's your

name?"

"Grant," I said.

"Grant! Grant what?"

"Dennison."

"Oh, all right, Grant! I shall call for you next half-holiday; and mind

you come."




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