eir innocent childishness of expression, were recognisable, and these
gained him many a copper when he carried round his cap after Barney's
feeble performances with the white mice.

But though changed outwardly, there was one good habit which Frank had
brought away from Green Highlands, and to which he clung with a
persistency which surprised and irritated his partner. This was
honesty. Nothing would induce him to steal, or even to share stolen
booty; hunger, threats, bitterly sarcastic speeches were alike in vain,
and at last Barney's scornful amusement at the "boy without a carikter"
began to be mingled with a certain respect; not that he was the least
inclined to follow his example and give up pilfering himself, but he
thought it was "game" of the little 'un to hold his own, and that was a
quality he could understand and admire. After all, a chap that had been
brought up by parsons and schoolmasters must have allowances made for
him, he supposed, and he soon gave up all idea of inducing Frank to
thieve, and even kept his own exploits in the background, because the
"Nipper" took it to heart.

So, sharing sometimes hardships, and sometimes pleasures, the
oddly-matched partners journeyed on, with an increasing attachment to
each other, and Frank's thoughts travelled back less and less often to
Green Highlands.

For now the bright warm weather had set fairly in, and all the different
flowers came marching on in sweet procession, and filled the woods and
fields. After the primroses, and while some still remained sprinkled
about in the sunny places, came the deep blue hyacinths, and then the
golden kingcups, and the downy yellow cowslips: last of all, a tall
triumphant host of foxgloves spread themselves over forest and common.
The wind, blowing softly from the west, brought with it little gentle
showers, just enough to freshen the leaves and wash the upturned faces
of the blossoms; tramping was a luxury in such weather, and those people
much to be pitied who had to work in close dark rooms, hidden away from
the glorious sunshine.

Certainly it was rather _too_ hot sometimes, and the roads were dusty
and gritty, and the boys' throats got parched with thirst after a very
few miles; but there was always the hope of coming to some delicious,
cool green bit by the way, or to a stream of water, or to some
comfortable village seat under the shadow of a great tree. And this
kept up their spirits. One day they had walked