Friarswood Post-Office

ar-tongs disappear, though Paul Blackthorn was no farther off than th

kfast, and to her great vexation, exchanging nods and grins when Harold rode by for the morning's letters; and afterwards, there was a ta

mpatient and fretful. He was provoked by Ellen's moving about the room, and more provoked by Harold's whistling as he cleaned out the stable; and on the other hand, Harold was petulant at being checked, and vowed there was no living in the house

sharply that he would have no whining, and when the boy moaned and winced more than he would have done on a good day, he punished him by not trying to be tender-handed. When Mrs. King said, perhap

ne, Sir, when he feels

't keep me now;' and as Alfred held up his hand, and made some complaint of the tightness of the bandage, he an

ping close to him. 'I thought he was yesterday, and I wanted to speak to

r; 'don't you spend your money in that way; I

ng him, since she was just too well off to be doctored at the parish expense, and he was really a good and upright man, though wanting in softness of manner when he was hurried and teased. If Mrs. King had known that he was in haste t

el words, and whether the doctor meant to give no hope of recovery, or only to dissuade her mother from vainly trying change of air. Her once bright brother always thus! It was a sad thought, and yet she would

aste, as of his mother's potato-pie; he could not think why she should be so cross as to make that thing, when she knew he hated i

the grass with his feet kicking in the air, and shewing the skin through his torn shoes. The two lads squatted down on the grass with their heads together. Wh

the farmer to send Paul back to his work when the dinner-hou

wlings of thunder far away, and Ellen left her work unfinished, and forgot how hot she was herself in toiling to fan Alfred, s

good,' seemed to ring like a knell in his ears every time he turned his weary head. Nothing do him good! Nothing! Always these four walls, that little bed, this wasting weary lassitude, this gnawing, throbbing pain, no pony, no running, no shouting, no

n a pet with the clock for striking four when he wanted it to be five, when the sky g

e cooler,' said Ellen, looking out from the win

lfred. 'What ar

e new clergyman! It is Mr. Cope, a

; he was in the dreary mood to resent whate

s not look older than Charles Lawrence! I wonder whether he is coming in, o

ent and relief on the sick boy. His brow was already clearing, as he listened to his mother's tones of welcome, as she was evidently asking the stranger to sit down and wait for the storm to be over, and the cheerful voice that replied to her. He did not scold Ellen for, as usual, making things neat

deacon could be, and he looked younger. He knocked his tall head against the top of the low doorway as he came into the room, and answered Mrs. King's apologies with a pleasant laugh. Ellen knew her mother would like him the better for his height, for no one since the handsome coachman himself had had to bend his head to get into the room. Alfred liked

was quite a pleasure not to begin with the old

met King Harold yesterday. I've g

Why, Sir, my brother's name was Alfred; and as to Harold, it was to please Miss Jane's little sister that died-s

s?' said Mr. Cope, admiring the rose

subject which did not leave Alfred much time to speak, till Mrs. King, seeing the groom from the P

o got his spine injured, and is laid up in a little narrow garret, in a back street, with no one to spea

said, 'Please, Si

accident; I often used to meet him going about with his master,

en taken at once to the hospital. The house on which he was employed belonged to a friend of Mr. Cope, and all in the power of this gentleman had been done for him, but that was not much, for it was one of

t looking at Mr. Cope, as if he would eat it up with his eager e

open generally, so that he can call to some of the other lodgers, but though the house is as full as a bee-hive, often nobody hears him. I believe his gr

for the first time that there could be people wors

his corner were not so dark, and the window so dingy. My friend gave him a Bible

out as if they had never h

ot some of his little friend's easy Scripture lessons and the like, in large print, which he croons over as he lies there alone, till one feels sure that they are working into his heart. The people in the house say that though he has bee

well?' said Alfred, who ha

while he bears the Will of God so patiently here, his Heavenly Father makes it u

unshine, while the dark cloud lifted up from the north-west, made the trees and fields glow with intense green against the de

not got rid of me yet, the rain is pretty hard still, an

mother's old word for the drops spla

y this beautiful shower. It is in fine

, he takes a great pride in it, a

other working in it now. I see him under that shed, and who is

ake up with anybody. I wish you could be so good as to speak to h

t all that he thought lightly of such an evil, but it was his way to speak

n for what he thought unkindness in setting the clergyman at once

hired with Farmer Shepherd yesterday, a regular run

are anxious about your brother. It must be dull for him, to have his companion laid up;-and by the

rrible racket some

seek dangerous company,' said Mr. Cope; at which Alfred blushed a little,

se two merry fellows; I must not tire you, my lad,

as heartily did Alfred reply. He felt as if a new light had come

he rain was over, he walked away; Paul went back to his turnips, and Harold came thundering up-stairs in his great shoes. Alfred was cheerful, and did not mind him now; but Ellen di

stood idling there with that good-for-nothing lad. The new ministe

as with bad compa

e it! I hope he

and he asked the pony's name,' said Harol

id he say t

er here, like himself, and asked how long

at did

o keep himself, and come to look for work,' said Harold. 'He's a right goo

making such a face. 'I don't believe a word of his coming out of t

down to your tea!

rd bustling across, with her black silk apron thrown over her cap with the crimson gauze ribbons. She wanted

ht not have been so hard with her labourers. She was always afraid of their asking her to subscribe to something or other, so she gave it as her opinion, that she should never think it worth while

Union; but he's a thorough impudent one, and owns he's no father nor mother, nor nothing belongin

ng up such places, raising the county rates, and pampering up a set of young rogues to let loose on us. Ay! ay! I'll warrant he's a runaway thief! I told the

kful for the beautiful crop of hay, safely housed, before t

n helping to give the boy a bad name, but just then i

gentlemen lodging here fishing, to Cayenne. Y

should look for Cayenne. He was rather fond of maps, and knew a good deal of geography for a boy of his age, but he knew nothin

or else Sou

s dirty face and dirtier elbows, le

know?' she said

ch Guiana.' Sure enough Cayenne had Guiana to

etch out! Ellen scarcely liked to touch his money, and felt all her disgust revive. But, for all that, and for all her

o have asked Mr. Cope! He wanted to know whether it came easier to Jem to be patient than to himself; whether he suffered as much wearing pain; whether he grieved over the last h

ink of himself as so much less patient and submissive; so little able to take comfort in what seemed to soo