id, with a smile, as he gazed at his
rescuers. "Thank you, boys, and you, Drinkwater--very sincerely, one
and all. I am grateful. Astonishing how helpless an accident like this
makes a man. Now with a cold compress and a rest I ought soon to be all
right again."

"I trust so," Mr Willows, with a smile, looking down at him; "only
don't be in too much of a hurry to think you are well. It is a case for
one remedy, and that is r-e-s-t. How are you going to get to bed?
Shall I remain and assist?"

"It's only up two stairs, sir," said Mrs Drinkwater, "and my man will
help."

"Of course he will," said the artist. "I shall be quite all right.
Good-night, friends, and a thousand thanks. One day may I be able to do
as much for you."

"I'll take good care you don't," said Willows, with a laugh; and then as
they started for home he clapped Will on the shoulder. "Your artist's a
splendid fellow," he said.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

DRINKWATER'S MANNERS.

"Soon be able to walk all right; eh. Mr Manners?" asked Will, who with
Josh had come up to the cottage.

"Soon, my lad? Yes, I think so," said the artist, cheerily. "I was
talking to Drinkwater here about painting his portrait; but he won't
hear a word of it. But I have got him in my mind's eye all the same,
and I shall paint him whether he likes it or not," continued Mr
Manners, as he looked laughingly at the boys, and then went on dipping
his brush in the colours on the palette, rubbing it round and twiddling
it in the pigment, while his landlord, pipe in mouth, gazed at him
rather surlily. "Wouldn't he make a fine picture? Eh?" And the artist
leaned back in his chair and smiled good-humouredly first at Drinkwater
and then at the boys, ending by shaking his head at his injured ankle,
which was resting on another chair placed nearly in front of him.

"I don't want my portrait painted, I tell ye," said the man, gruffly.

"Hark at him!" said Manners. "I should have thought he would be
pleased."

"What's the matter, Boil O?" asked Will. "Did you get out of bed the
wrong way this morning?"

"No, sir," said the man, shortly.

"Oh," said Will.

"Leave the sulky bear alone," put in Josh.

"Be quiet," said Will to his companion. "I say, Boil O, old chap, when
are you going to make me that fishing-rod you promised?"

"Oh, I have no time to make fishing-rods for boys," said the man. "I
have to work."

"Look at him. How busy he is!" cried Will, with mock