cottage,
neither of them speaking.

An old woman came to the door in answer to his kick, and went off
into ejaculations of pity and wonder in the broadest Berkshire,
at seeing Master Tom and his burthen. But he pushed into the
house and cut her short with--

"Now, Mrs. Pike, don't talk, that's a dear good woman, but bustle
about, and bring that arm-chair here, and the other low one, with
a pillow on it, for the young lady's foot to rest on."

The old woman obeyed his injunctions, except as to talking; and,
while she placed the chairs and shook up the pillow, descanted on
the sovereign virtues of some green oil and opodeldoc, which was
as good as a charm for sprains and bruises.

Mary gave him one grateful look as he lowered her tenderly and
reluctantly into the chair, and then spoke cheerfully to Mrs.
Pike, who was foraging in a cupboard, to find if there was any of
her famous specific in the bottom of the bottle. As he stood up,
and thought what to do next, he heard the sound of distant
wheels, and looking through the window saw the carriage coming
homewards. It was a sorrowful sight to him.

"Now, Mrs. Pike," he said, "never mind the oil. Here's the
carriage coming; just step out and stop it."

The old dame scuttled out into the road. The carriage was within
one hundred yards. He leant over the rough arm-chair in which
Mary was leaning back, looked once more into her eyes; and then,
stooping forwards, kissed her lips, and the next moment was by
the side of Mrs. Pike, signalling the coachman to stop.

In the bustle which followed he stood aside, and watched Mary
with his heart in his mouth. She never looked at him, but there
was no anger, but only a dreamy look in her sweet face, which
seemed to him a thousand times more beautiful than ever before.
Then, to avoid inquiries, and to realize all that had passed in
the last wonderful three hours, he slipped away while they were
getting her into the carriage, and wandered back into the wood,
pausing at each of their halting places. At last he reached the
scene of the accident, and here his cup of happiness was likely
to brim over, for he found the mangled little boot and the cut
lace, and securing the precious prize, hurried back home, to be
in time for dinner.

Mary did not come down; but Katie, the only person of whom he
dared to inquire, assured him that she was doing famously. The
dinner was very embarrassing, and he had the greatest difficulty
in answerin