pecially for me. Well, you see I've
come again to have another talk with you about Ned. Indeed, I hoped to
see himself, but he doesn't seem to be in the way.'

'No, Miss Theedory, he ain't. And reason why's this. He's bin out
with the Fletchers' boat all the day. There's a great take o'
mackerrow expected shortly, and the Fletchers they're on the look out;
they're always that spry to the main-chance, as you know, deary. Not
as I'm one to blame they; people has got to be sharp in their bis'ness.'

'Yes, of course,' assented Theo absently. She was staring into the
fire, wondering what tack would be best to take with Ned, when she did
get hold of the boy. 'Have you been talking to Ned, Goody, as you
promised you would?' she turned her head to ask presently.

'Ay; I've talked a bit to he. But b'ys is a handful, Miss Theedory, as
nobody should know better than yourself. Now, my Ned his heart's in
the right place; it's his head as is the trouble. He has crammed
hisself with trash of foring travel until the b'y is fair crazed to be
off and out into the world. That's what it is!'

'I shouldn't call books of travels trash,' said Theo slowly. 'It
wouldn't be quite fair--nor true. But it's exactly the same at home
with our boys, especially with Alick. He reads exciting books of
adventure constantly. Of course I know some folk must go out into the
world, and do all the wonderful things; everybody can't be
stay-at-homes for life. But the worst thing about it is that Alick
won't wait his time. He wants to shirk his education and rush off, in
his ignorance, to do things that it takes full-grown men, and
well-instructed men, to even attempt. Oh dear!'

'Same wi' Ned, set 'em both up!' angrily exclaimed Goody, dropping the
stocking she was knitting into her lap. 'And as for wanting to find
the North Pole, did anybody ever hear tell o' sich impident
presumption! If the Lord had meant as we should find the North Pole,
He'd ha' showed the way to it, straight as straight, and made it easy
as easy. But seein' as time arter time men have giv' up their lives,
bein' lost in the ice and snows, and still, to my thinking, if not to
others, the North Pole is shrouded from their reach, why, a body can
see, plain as plain, that 'tain't meant as man should ever compass it.
Not that I can say as it's forbid special in the Book; I won't say
that, nohow. At least,' added Goody cautiously, 'I've never come
across it in my readi