but encountered Uncle
Abram.

"Where's Will, my lad? Oh! he's coming. Old lady's been blowing off
steam a bit. Busy day with her, you see. Cleaning. Didn't hear, did
you?"

"Oh, yes! we could hear every word," said Dick with a comical look.

The old gentleman glanced over his shoulder and then patted Dick on the
chest with the back of his hand. "It's all right," he said in a deep
bass. "She don't mean nothing by it. Fond o' Will as ever she can be.
Feels often, you know, as she must scold something, and sometimes she
scolds Will, sometimes it's Amanda the lass, sometimes me. Why," he
said cheerfully, "I have known her set to and let the tables and chairs
have it for not shining when they were being rubbed. It's all right, my
lad, all right. She's awfully fond of our Will, and if you hear her say
she aren't don't you believe her. Here he comes."

Will came round from the back just then, with his head hanging, and a
look of dejection in his whole aspect; but as he caught sight of Uncle
Abram and Dick he made an effort to hide his trouble.

"Here he is," said the old gentleman, clapping Will on the shoulder,
"here he is, Master Dick, my nevvy, and as stout and strong a lad of his
years as there is in these parts. Your par wants him, does he?"

"My father wants him," said Dick sturdily. "I never call him pa."

"That's right, my lad. I never called my father pa. Wants our Will, do
he? Well, I was going to send him down to get the boat ready. Go and
see what Master Temple wants, my lad. 'Member what I said, Master Dick,
sir."

"All right!" replied Dick; and Will followed him to the door.

"What has my uncle been saying?" he said quickly.

"Oh! only that I wasn't to notice what your aunt said, and that she
don't mean all that scolding."

Will drew a long breath, and leaning his arm against the door-post he
placed his forehead against it.

"I can't bear it," he groaned; "I can't bear it. I seem to be so poor
and dependent, and she is always telling me that I am a beggar and an
expense to them. Master Dick, I'd have gone years ago, only it would
half break poor old uncle's heart. He is fond of me, I know."

"Oh! I say, Will, don't--please don't!" cried Dick.

"It hurts me, it does indeed. Oh, how I wish I could do something to
help you! I tell you what I'll do, and Taff shall help me. I'll save
up to help you buy a boat of your own."

"Thank you," said Will gently; "but you must not t