,--help thinking of you. And I am told that there will
be depredations, Sam. Are you concerned in these matters?"

"No, I am not," said Sam, doggedly.

"Are you disposed to tell me why you were in my garden, and why those
men were with you?"

"We were down in the churchyard, and the gate was open, and so we
walked up;--that was all. If we'd meant to do anything out of the way
we shouldn't 'a come like that, nor yet at that hour. Why, it worn't
midnight, Mr. Fenwick."

"But why was there such a man as Burrows with you? Do you think he
was fit company for you, Sam?"

"I suppose a chap may choose his own company, Mr. Fenwick?"

"Yes, he may, and go to the gallows because he chooses it, as you are
doing."

"Very well; if that's all you've got to say to me, I'll go back to my
work."

"Stop one moment, Sam. That is not quite all. I caught you the other
night where you had no business to be, and for the sake of your
father and mother, and for old recollections, I let you go. Perhaps I
was wrong, but I don't mean to hark back upon that again."

"You are a-harking back on it, ever so often."

"I shall take no further steps about it."

"There ain't no steps to be taken, Mr. Fenwick."

"But I see that you intend to defy me, and therefore I am bound to
tell you that I shall keep my eye upon you."

"Don't you be afeard about me, Mr. Fenwick."

"And if I hear of those fellows, Burrows and the other, being about
the place any more, I shall give the police notice that they are
associates of yours. I don't think so badly of you yet, Sam, as to
believe you would bring your father's grey hairs with sorrow to the
grave by turning thief and housebreaker; but when I hear of your
being away from home, and nobody knowing where you are, and find
that you are living without decent employment, and prowling about at
nights with robbers and cut-throats, I cannot but be afraid. Do you
know that the Squire recognised you that night as well as I?"

"The Squire ain't nothing to me, and if you've done with me now,
Mr. Fenwick, I'll go back to my work." So saying, Sam Brattle again
mounted up to the roof, and the parson returned discomfited to the
front of the building. He had not intended to see any of the family,
but, as he was crossing the little bridge, meaning to go home round
by the Privets, he was stopped by Fanny Brattle.

"I hope it will be all right now, Mr. Fenwick," the girl said.

[Illustration: "I hope it will be all