n and
Meekin and the servant boy--all gathered together examining Lucilla's
pony. Bernard could not hear what they said, and the bell rang for
breakfast before he had time to ask.

"When he came down, he was sorry to find that Mr. Evans was gone out.
He asked Meekin how long he was to stay from home; and Stephen
answered:

"'Maybe all the week; maybe a month; maybe he wishes to try what sort
of a schoolmaster I should make in his absence.'

"'Oh! I hope not,' said Bernard, speaking hastily and without thinking.

"'You do, do you?' answered Stephen spitefully; 'well, we shall see.'

"'It don't become you, Low, to speak in such a way now,' said Miss
Grizzy, 'you are not master here, now. You can't count upon this place
being yours more than my brother's any longer; it is just as well that
you know the truth, and know at once what to expect. The living went
from the family when your father died, and it is feared that there will
not be much left for your keep when the things are sold, and everything
paid.'

"The tears stood in Bernard's eyes--not that he attended to all the
words Miss Grizzy said; he was thinking of that day a year ago, of his
own ill behaviour, and of the kindness of his sweet Lucilla.

"'Oh!' he thought, 'how could I have run away from my gentle sister to
go to that cruel Stephen?'

"Stephen and Meekin walked off in a hurry, after they had breakfasted,
and Miss Grizzy sent Bernard after them. He followed them slowly, and
yet did not like to stay long behind them.

"They were gone again into the yard, and there was Benjamin, and the
servant boy, and the pony. Stephen was talking of the pony, and giving
his orders: the pony had a long tail, and his mane wanted putting in
order.

"'You must dock the tail close, Ben,' were the words that Bernard
heard; 'she will sell for nothing in that fashion.'

"'Oh, no, no!' cried Bernard, running forward, 'Lucilla would not like
it; she said she would always have it long to flitch away the flies.'

"'Who bid you speak?' said Stephen.

"'Is she not my horse now?' cried Bernard.

"'No more yours than mine,' replied Stephen.

"'Don't cut her tail, Benjamin,' returned Bernard.

"'Hold your peace,' said Stephen.

"'Only stay till Mr. Evans comes home,' said Bernard.

"'Do it now,' said Stephen.

"Bernard was beside himself; he called Stephen cruel, deceitful, and
anything else he could think of, and he tried to seize the halter of
the pony.

"Stephe