versation, Tom told Ned that he should not be
able to go home with him when work was over that evening, because his
uncle was coming.

It was frosty, and nothing could be done in the garden; so when Ned had
mended a rail in the little wicket gate that was broken, and had had
his tea, read the Bible, got by heart a column-of spelling, and said it
to his grandmother, he sat down on a stool near the fire, and amused
himself by going on with a stocking he had begun to knit.

"How thankful I am to you for having taught me to knit," said he,
"because it is something pleasant to do when I am in-doors of a
winter's evening."

Just as Ned left off speaking a knock was heard at the cottage door. He
ran to open it, and was rather surprised to see Tom, and with him a
well-dressed, pleasant-looking man, whom he did not remember to have
seen before.

"This is my uncle," said Tom.

Ned bowed, and set a chair for their visitor.

"I come," said Mr. Graham, for that was the name of Tom's uncle, "to
thank you, my young friend, for your kindness to my nephew. I have long
intended adopting Tom, and taking him to live with me when he was old
enough to learn my trade, which is that of a carpenter, but when I came
to Ryefield, a year ago, I found him so different in many respects from
what I could have wished, that I gave up my intention, for I could not
undertake to teacli a boy who was idle and unsteady. I now find him so
much altered for the better, and Farmer Tomkyns gives me such a good
account of his behaviour, that I am quite ready to give him a trial. He
tells me that he has to thank you, Ned, for his improvement; that he
has learned from your example to be steady and industrious, and to try
to correct his faults; and that it is you and your good grandmother who
have taught him to love his Bible, and take pleasure in going to
church. Tom also tells me that it is his fault your nice apricot tree
was spoiled. Now there is a nurseryman, a friend of mine, whom I have
several times had an opportunity of obliging, and I have no doubt that
he will give me for you a strong young tree, at the proper time for
planting fruit trees."

Ned thanked Mr. Graham, who then added--

"The town where I live is several miles off, so that you and Tom will
not be able to see each other as often as you used, but Tom can walk
over here on Sundays, and go with you to Ryefield Church sometimes, and
I hope your grandmother will allow you now and then to