ously,
and turning suddenly away.

"Has Miss Anthea seen,--does she know?"

"Ah! she were out at dawn, and Oh Lord, Mr. Belloo sir! I can't never
forget her poor, stricken face,--so pale and sad it were. But she never
said nothing, only: 'Oh, Adam!--my poor hops!' An' I see her lips all of
a quiver while she spoke. An' so she turned away, an' came back to the
'ouse, sir. Poor lass! Oh poor lass!" he exclaimed, his voice growing
more husky. "She's made a brave fight for it, sir,--but it weren't no
use, ye see,--it'll be 'Good-bye' for her to Dapplemere, arter all, that
there mortgage can't never be paid now,--nohow."

"When is it due?"

"Well, according to the bond, or the deed, or whatever they calls
it,--it be doo--tonight, at nine o'clock, sir,--though Old Grimes,--as
a special favour, an' arter much persuading,--'ad agreed to hold over
till next Saturday,--on account o' the 'op-picking. But now--seeing as
there ain't no 'ops to be picked,--why he'll fore-close to-night, an'
glad enough to do it, you can lay your oath on that, Mr. Belloo sir."

"To-night!" said Bellew, "to-night!" and he stood, for a while with bent
head, as though lost in profound thought. "Adam," said he, suddenly,
"help me to harness the mare, I must drive over to the nearest rail-road
depot,--hurry, I must be off, the sooner, the better."

"What!--be you--goin' sir?"

"Yes;--hurry, man,--hurry!"

"D'ye mean as you're a-goin' to leave her--now, in the middle o' all
this trouble?"

"Yes, Adam,--I must go to London--on business,--now hurry, like a good
fellow." And so, together they entered the stable, and together they
harnessed the mare. Which done, staying not for breakfast, Bellew
mounted the driver's seat, and, with Adam beside him, drove
rapidly away.

But Small Porges had seen these preparations, and now came running all
eagerness, but ere he could reach the yard, Bellew was out of ear-shot.

So there stood Small Porges, a desolate little figure, watching the
rapid course of the dogcart until it had vanished over the brow of the
hill. And then, all at once the tears welled up into his eyes hot, and
scalding, and a great sob burst from him, for it seemed to him that his
beloved Uncle Porges had failed him at the crucial moment,--had left him
solitary just when he needed him most.

Thus Small Porges gave way to his grief, hidden in the very darkest
corner of the stable, whither he had retired lest any should observe his
weakness,