rds, I'll send your
grandfather off to Bristol, for that's his parish, and you'll never see
him again; and I'll give orders for you never to see little Nan; and I'll
apprentice you and your other sister in different places. So you had
better be reasonable, and take our advice while you can be made
comfortable.'
'Please, sir, I can't go against my promise,' answered Stephen, with a
sob.
'What's the use of wasting one's breath?' said the master; 'this place
I want, and this place I'll have; and we'll see if this young jail-bird
will stand in my way. Ah, my fine fellow, it's no such secret where your
grandfather spent twenty-one years of his life; and you'll have a sup of
the same broth some day. You don't keep a dog like that yelping cur for
nothing; and I'll tell the gamekeeper to have his eye upon you.'
Stephen stood motionless, watching them down the narrow path which led to
Botfield, until a rabbit started from beneath the hedge, and Snip, with a
sharp, short bark of excitement, gave it chase in the direction of the
two men. The master paused, and, looking back, shook his stick
threateningly at the motionless figure of the boy; while Thomas Wyley
threw a stone at the dog, which sent him back, yelping piteously, to his
young master's feet. Stephen clenched his hands, and bit his lips till
the blood started, but he did not move till the last glimpse of his foes
had passed away from the hillside. Martha had hidden herself in the hut
while they were present, for she had never spoken to the dreaded master;
but she could overhear their loud and angry speeches, and now she came
out and joined Stephen.
'Well, I'd have more spirit than to cry,' she said, as Stephen brushed
his eyes with his sleeve; 'I'd never have spoken so gingerly to them, the
wizen-faced old rascals. The place is ours, and they can't turn us out.
It's no use to be cowed by them, Stephen.'
'They can turn me off the works,' answered Stephen sadly.
'And whatever shall we do then?' asked Martha, in alarm. 'Still I reckon
you'll say we are to love those old wretches.'
'The Book says so,' replied Stephen.
'Well, I won't set up to try to do it for one,' continued Martha
decisively; 'it's not nature; it's being over good by half. I'm willing
to do my duty by you and grandfather and little Nan; but that goes beyond
me. If you'd just give way, Stevie, and give them a good rating, you'd
feel better after it.'
'I don't know that,' he answered, walki
|