oddy was almost a baby--not more than four, and quite small of his
age; but he soon discovered that he had a slave at his beck and call in
the spellbound Bildy. The man seemed to worship the little fellow.
Whenever Bildy was free from his ordinary occupations he was playing
with Doddy, as though they were both children--with this difference:
Doddy was always the tyrant, and Bildy the submissive subject.

It was a proof of the man's absolute harmlessness that he never so much
as touched any one who angered him. Sometimes other children,
attracted by Doddy, would come to join in the games, and often drove
poor Bildy away. He would slink off, the picture of misery, and make
his way home, biting his hand--his only sign of displeasure.

When Doddy was five, and had to attend school, Bildy would watch with
the utmost patience the road by which the child had to return, until he
caught sight of the tiny figure in the distance; then he would run to
meet Doddy with every demonstration of joy, pick him up, set him on his
shoulder, and amble off up the hill to the cottage.

Bildy had been about six years in Ardmuirland, and had become a
favorite with every one. The poor fellow was so unfeignedly pleased to
receive any little notice from any one that all accosted him kindly,
and no one in the district would have dreamed of causing him
unhappiness. Doddy had grown into a sharp little lad of seven, and was
no longer so dependent upon Bildy for companionship. Yet Bildy did not
relinquish altogether his post of guardian, but kept a wary eye upon
the movements of his little master, ready at all times to do his
bidding.

Winter set in that year unusually early. At the beginning of December
earth and water were bound in the chains of a very hard frost. Nothing
could more delight the heart of a schoolboy, and those of Ardmuirland
were in their element. There was a small, shallow pond close by the
schoolhouse, and there they were able to slide and sport about to their
hearts' content. But children are changeful. When the frost had
lasted more than two whole weeks, the little pond was not exciting
enough. There was a mountain lake about a mile farther on, a much
larger piece of water. Thither the more adventurous spirits determined
to go one holiday afternoon. Doddy, who was precocious for his years,
made up his mind to go too, proud in being the companion of much bigger
boys. Unluckily, none of the parents of the boys had a