t-weighed in Harold's
consideration such trifling points as fathers, mothers, and
respectability. Alfred laughed; but Ellen thought it no laughing matter,
and reproved Harold for being wicked enough to hear his betters made game
of.

'My betters!' said Harold--'an old skinflint like Farmer Shepherd's old
woman?'

'Hush, Harold! I'll tell Mother of you, that I will!' cried Ellen.

'Do then,' said Harold, who knew his sister would do no such thing. She
had made the threat too often, and then not kept her word.

She contented herself with saying, 'Well, all I know is, that I'm sure
now he has run away out of prison, and is no better than a thief; and if
our place isn't broken into before to-morrow morning, and Mother's silver
sugar-tongs gone, it will be a mercy. I'm sure I shan't sleep a wink all
night.'

Both boys laughed, and Alfred asked why he had not done it last night.

'How should I know?' said Ellen. 'Most likely he wanted to see the way
about the place, before he calls the rest of the gang.'

'Take care, Harold! it's a gang coming now,' said Alfred, laughing again.
'All coming on purpose to steal the sugar-tongs!'

'No, I'll tell you what they are come to steal,' said Harold
mischievously; 'it's all for Ellen's fine green ivy-leaf brooch that
Matilda sent her!'

'I dare say Harold has been and told him everything valuable in the
house!' said Ellen.

'I think,' said Alfred gravely, 'it would be a very odd sort of thief to
come here, when the farmer's ploughing cup is just by.'

'Yes,' said Harold, 'I'd better have told him of that when I was about
it; don't you think so, Nelly?'

'If you go on at this rate,' said Ellen, teased into anger, 'you'll be
robbing the post-office yourself some day.'

'Ay! and I'll get Paul Blackthorn to help me,' said the boy. 'Come,
Ellen, don't be so foolish; I tell you he's every bit as honest as I am,
I'd go bail for him.'

'And I _know_ he'll lead you to ruin!' cried Ellen, half crying: 'a boy
that comes from nowhere and nobody knows, and sleeps on a hay-cock all
night, no better than a mere tramp!'

'What, quarrelling here? 'said Mrs. King, coming up-stairs. 'The lad, I
wish him no ill, I'm sure, but he'll be gone by to-morrow, so you may
hold your tongues about him, and we'll read our chapter and go to bed.'

Harold's confidence and Ellen's distrust were not much wiser the one than
the other. Which was nearest being right?

CHAPTER III--A NEW FR