, and I want it sadly, for I fancy it
is time we should be up and be jogging. Dost know any thing of it, my
lad?' 'Not I, truly, father,' said the boy, 'I only know that I saw
mother stick it in the box-lid last night, and put it upon the chair,
which she set by the bedside, after you had put your clothes upon the
back of it; I know I saw her put it there, so it must be there now, I
fancy.' 'Well, I cannot find it,' replied the father; so we must e'en
get up in the dark, for I am sure it must be time.' The father and son
then both dressed themselves, and the man, taking a shilling out of his
pocket, laid it upon the chair, saying at the same time, 'There, Betty.
I have left a shilling for you; take care it does not go after the
candle, for where that is I cannot tell any more than the carp at the
bottom of the squire's fish-pond.' He then unlocked the door, and went
away, accompanied by his son.

After their departure, we again came out, and took another walk round
the room, and found our way into a little cupboard, which we had not
before observed. Here we discovered half a loaf of bread, a piece of
cold pudding, a lump of salt butter, some soft sugar in a basin, and a
fine large slice of bacon. On these dainties we feasted very amply, and
agreed that we should again hide ourselves behind the black trunk all
day, and at night, when the family were in bed, return to take another
meal on the plenty of nice provision which we so happily discovered.
Accordingly, we crept back just as the woman went to fill her teakettle
at a pump, which stood between her house and the next neighbour's. When
she returned, she put it upon the fire she had just lit, and, taking a
pair of bellows in her hand, sat down to blow it.

While she was so employed, a young gentleman, about ten years of age,
very genteelly dressed, entered the room, and in a familiar manner asked
her how she did. 'I am very well, thank you, my dear,' replied she:
'and pray, Master George, how does your mamma and papa do; and all your
brothers and sisters?' 'They are all very well, thank you,' returned
the boy: 'And I am come to bring you a slice of cake, which my grandpapa
gave me yesterday.' Then throwing his arms round her neck, he went on
saying, 'Oh! my dear, dear Betty Flood, how I do love you! I would do
anything in the world to serve you. I shall save all my Christmas-boxes
to give to you; and when I am a man, I will give you a great deal of
money. I wish you w