away like a frightened cur, with
my tail between my legs.

I was mentally blind then, puffed up with vanity, and as bitter and
angry as it is possible for a boy to be, and all I can say in
extenuation is that I had had good cause to be upset by the trouble I
had gone through.

"I'll go," I said excitedly. "To-night as soon as it is dark, and--"

I stopped short, for I saw a familiar figure going along the road in
front of the great house. It was Lomax, having his morning pipe and
walk before going back to his garden, and the sight of the old sergeant
made me feel sorry for my determination. He had been so friendly, and
under his stiff military ways there had been so much kindliness. He had
been so proud of the way in which I had acquired the things he taught;
and as he went on, tall, upright, and manly-looking, I began to wonder
what he would say, and I exclaimed eagerly,--

"He'll know that I have gone off to join the army, and say I have done
well."

Down came a wet blanket.

"No," I said dolefully; "he will think I have run away because I was a
thief."

"I can't go. It is impossible for me to go," I said passionately, as I
began to pace the room, and sheets torn up and tied together with
counterpane and blankets, to make out the rope down which I was to slide
to liberty, fell away as if they were so much tinder; while the other
plan I had of unscrewing the lock of the door, and taking it off with my
pocket-knife, so as to steal down the stairs, tumbled to nothing, as
soon as I thought that I must steal away.

Just then I started, for there was a tap at the door--a very soft,
gentle tap, and then a hoarse whisper.

"Master Burr! Master Burr!"

"Yes," I said sourly. "Who is it? What do you want?"

"It's me, my dear. Cook. I'm just going down. Are you dressed yet?"

"Yes."

"I heard last night that you were shut up. Whatever is the matter?"

I was silent.

"Master Mercer came and told me, and asked me for something to eat for
you, because he said he knew they'd only give you bread and water."

"Master Mercer!" I muttered to myself angrily; "and I'm to suffer for
him!"

"There, I won't bother you, my dear, but I'm very sorry, and I don't
suppose it's anything much. Have you broken a window?"

"No, Cook."

"Now don't say you've been stealing apples, because I'd have given you
lots if you'd asked."

"No," I said softly, for the woman's voice sounded so pleasant and
sympathetic tha