thing my forehead with a sponge and water, the scene in the
yard came back like a flash, and I caught the hand that held the sponge.

"Has it hurt the baskets of flowers?" I cried excitedly.

"Never mind the baskets of flowers," said Old Brownsmith warmly; "has it
hurt you?"

"I don't know; not much," I said quickly. "But won't it be a great deal
of trouble and expense?"

He smiled, and patted my shoulder.

"Never mind that," he said good-humouredly. "All people who keep horses
and carts, and blundering obstinate fellows for servants, have accidents
to contend against. There!--never mind, I say, so long as you have no
bones broken; and I don't think you have. Here, stretch out your arms."

I did so.

"That's right," he said. "Now, kick out your legs as if you were
swimming."

I looked up at him sharply, for it seemed so strange for him to say that
just after I had been thinking of being nearly drowned. I kicked out,
though, as he told me.

"No bones broken there," he said; and he proceeded then to feel my ribs.

"Capital!" he said after a few moments. "Why, there's nothing the
matter but a little bark off your forehead, and I'm afraid you'll have a
black eye. A bit of sticking-plaster will set you right after all, and
we sha'n't want the doctor."

"Doctor! Oh! no," I said. "My head aches a bit, and that place smarts,
but it will soon be better."

"To be sure it will," he said, nodding pleasantly.--"Well, is he
coming?"

This was to Ike, who came up to the open door. "He's out," said Ike
gruffly. "Won't be home for two hours, and he'll come on when he gets
home."

"That will do," said Old Brownsmith.

"Shall I see 'bout loading up again?"

"Oh, no!" said Old Brownsmith sarcastically. "Let the baskets lie where
they are. It doesn't matter about sending to market to sell the things.
You never want any wages!"

"What's the good o' talking to a man like that, master?" growled Ike.
"You know you don't mean it, no more'n I meant to send the sieves atop
o' young Grant here. I'm werry sorry; and a man can't say fairer than
that."

"Go and load up then," said Old Brownsmith. "We must risk the damaged
goods."

Ike looked hard at me and went away.

"Had you said anything to offend him, my lad?" said the old man as soon
as we were alone.

"Oh! no, sir," I cried; "we were capital friends, and he was telling me
the best way to load."

"A capital teacher!" cried the old gentleman sarcasti