lside----"

"Um! You've got a brave step to go yet. We're a good three miles from
Hillside. Have 'ee come far?"

"From Seacombe," Mona admitted reluctantly.

"My word! It's a brave long walk for a young thing like you to take
alone. Why, you wouldn't reach Hillside till after dark--not at the rate
you could go. You look tired out already."

"I am," sighed Mona, pathetically.

"Here, jump up quick, or my old nag'll fall asleep, and I'll have the
works of the world to wake un up again."

Mona laughed. "Thank you," she said, eyes and voice full of gratitude as
she clambered up the wheel, and perched herself on the high, hard seat
beside her new friend. "I'm very much obliged to you, sir. I don't
believe I'd ever have got there, walking all the way. I didn't know seven
miles was so far."

"I don't believe you would. A mile seems like two when you ain't in good
trim for it, and the more miles you walk, the longer they seem.
Gee up, you old rogue you!" This to the horse, who, after much coaxing,
had consented to move on again.

"I never felt so tired in all my life before," sighed Mona, in a voice so
faint and weary that her companion looked at her sharply.

"Had any dinner?" he asked.

Mona shook her head. "No, I--I missed my dinner. I--I came away in a
hurry."

"That's always a bad plan." He stooped down and pulled a straw bag
towards him. "I couldn't eat all mine. My wife was too generous to me.
P'raps you could help me out with it. I don't like to take any home--it
kind of hurts my wife's feelings if I do. She thinks I'm ill, too.
Can you finish up what's left?"

He unrolled a clean white cloth and laid it and its contents on Mona's
lap.

"Could she!" Mona's eyes answered for her.

"Do you like bread and ham? It may be a trifle thick----"

"Oh!" gasped Mona, "I think bread and ham, _thick_ bread and ham is nicer
than anything else in the world!"

"Um! Peg away, then. And there's an orange, in case you're thirsty."

"Oh, you are kind!" cried Mona, gratefully. "And oh, I am so glad I met
you, I don't believe I'd have got much further, I was feeling so faint."

"That was from want of food. Here, before you begin, hadn't you better
put something about your shoulders. It's getting fresh now the sun's gone
down, and when we get to the top of that hill we shall feel it. Have you
got a coat, or a shawl, or something?"

"No, I haven't. I--I came away in a hurry--but I shall be all