ups of tea as you
liked to say thank you for. When it was over the man asked Dickie if he
could walk a little way, and when Dickie said he could they set out in
the most friendly way side by side.

"I like it very much, and thank you kindly," said Dickie presently. "And
the tea and all. An' the egg. And this is the prettiest place ever I
see. But I ought to be getting 'ome. I shall catch it a fair treat as it
is. She was waitin' for the wood to boil the kettle when I come out."

"Mother?"

"Aunt. Not me real aunt. Only I calls her that."

"She any good?"

"Ain't bad when she's in a good temper."

"That ain't what she'll be in when you gets back. Seems to me you've
gone and done it, mate. Why, it's hours and hours since you and me got
acquainted. Look! the sun's just going."

It was, over trees more beautiful than anything Dickie had ever seen,
for they were now in a country road, with green hedges and green grass
growing beside it, in which little round-faced flowers grew--daisies
they were--even Dickie knew that.

"I got to stick it," said Dickie sadly. "I'd best be getting home."

"I wouldn't go 'ome, not if I was you," said the man. "I'd go out and
see the world a bit, I would."

"What--me?" said Dickie.

"Why not? Come, I'll make you a fair offer. Ye come alonger me an' see
life! I'm a-goin' to tramp as far as Brighton and back, all alongside
the sea. Ever seed the sea?"

"No," said Dickie. "Oh, no--no, I never."

"Well, you come alonger me. I ain't 'it yer, have I, like what yer aunt
do? I give yer a ride in a pleasure boat, only you went to sleep, and I
give you a tea fit for a hemperor. Ain't I?"

"You 'ave that," said Dickie.

"Well, that'll show you the sort of man I am. So now I make you a fair
offer. You come longer me, and be my little 'un, and I'll be your daddy,
and a better dad, I lay, nor if I'd been born so. What do you say,
matey?"

The man's manner was so kind and hearty, the whole adventure was so
wonderful and new....

"Is it country where you going?" said Dickie, looking at the green
hedge.

"All the way, pretty near," said the man. "We'll tramp it, taking it
easy, all round the coast, where gents go for their outings. They've
always got a bit to spare then. I lay you'll get some color in them
cheeks o' yours. They're like putty now. Come, now. What you say? Is it
a bargain?"

[Illustration: "HE LAY FACE DOWNWARD ON THE ROAD AND TURNED UP HIS BOOT"

[_Page 25_]

"It's