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| committer | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2026-01-24 00:12:56 -0800 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/77762-0.txt b/77762-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f5baaf0 --- /dev/null +++ b/77762-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4393 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77762 *** + +Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed. + + + +[Illustration: TOM AND DICK POTTER'S FAVORITE CAVE.] + + + + TOM GILLIES; + + THE KNOTS HE TIED AND + + UNTIED. + + + BY + + MRS. GEORGE GLADSTONE + + AUTHOR OF + + "NORWEGIAN STORIES," "THE BOY WHO WONDERED," &c. + + + New Edition. + + + LONDON: + JAMES NISBET & CO., 21 BERNERS STREET. + MDCCCLXXXI. + + + + EDINBURGH: + PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO. + AND CHANDOS STREET, LONDON + + + + TO + + MY NIECES, + + FLO, BESSIE, BELLA, AND MAY, + + This little Story + + IS DEDICATED, + + IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE HAPPY HOURS + + SPENT WITH THEM + + IN SEEKING OUT THE CHARACTERS + + ON WHICH IT IS FOUNDED. + + + + CONTENTS. + + [Illustration] + +CHAP. + + I. TOM IS INTRODUCED + + II. MOTHER CRAMPTON + + III. MISS PRINGLE AND HER LODGERS + + IV. TOM AND DICK GO FOR A HOLIDAY + + V. HOW TOM SPENT HIS LAST DAY AT HOME + + VI. TOM AT HIS SITUATION + + VII. THE DEAD CAT + + VIII. SUNDAY WITH MISS PRINGLE + + IX. TOM HEARS FROM HOME + + X. THE EXCURSION TO LOCKSTONE + + XI. HOW TOM FARED + + XII. QUITE BLIND + + XIII. TOM'S FIRST WAGES + + XIV. THE ACCIDENT + + XV. TWO YEARS LATER + + + + TOM GILLIES. + + [Illustration] + +CHAPTER I. + +TOM IS INTRODUCED. + +NORTON ISLAND was two miles and a half from the pretty watering-place +of Dixtown; it was a point of interest to visitors to the latter place, +who enjoyed sailing across the bay to picnic there, when the day was +calm and the sun shone brightly. It had lofty cliffs, which terminated +here and there in abrupt points, deep caves, and picturesque coves. The +view from the back of the island commanded a wide expanse of ocean, and +was so wild that the sea-birds built their nests in the crannies of the +rock, choosing such dangerous places that only daring lads like Tom +Gillies and his friend Dick Potter attempted to plunder them of their +eggs. + +One large mansion and farm, belonging to Mr. Pender, the proprietor of +the limestone quarries, and the cottages where the people who worked +for him and a few fishermen dwelt, made up the sum of the habitations +on Norton Island, save the schoolhouse, where an old spinster lived +rent-free. She was a fairly-educated woman, who had once served in Mr. +Pender's family, and that gentleman allowed her an annual stipend for +teaching the children of the men he employed. + +Norton Island was rather celebrated for its limestone quarries. Many +vessels anchored in the roadstead during the year, waiting for cargo, +whilst it also afforded a harbour in time of storm. It boasted no place +of worship; occasionally divine service was held in the schoolroom on +Sunday afternoon, and in that case a great bell sounded for half an +hour before it commenced, in order to summon the villagers. + +The Gillies family, with the exception of the eldest daughter Sally, +turned a deaf ear to the call. Mrs. Gillies contended that Sunday was +designed for poor people to spend in idleness. "We work right away for +six days," she said, "and it's hard if we can't rest on the seventh." +Certainly she was an industrious woman so far as the concerns of this +world were involved; but she had to learn that honouring God was +paramount, and that, if she served Him, she would better fulfil her +duties to her family, and to all mankind. + +Mr. Gillies had lived on Norton Island for twenty-five years. He +settled there soon after his marriage, and had worked in the limestone +quarries ever since. He had a hard struggle to live while his children +were young, but, when our story opens, his four eldest sons helped +substantially to maintain the home. They rented the cottage adjoining +their father's; and though the eldest, Harry, was soon to be married, +the other three were doing so well, they intended occupying it as +before. + +It was customary for the women to sell prawns in Dixtown. When Sally +Gillies was old enough to cook the dinner, her mother undertook this +business, and rather enjoyed the many journeys to and from Norton +Island it entailed. + +One beautiful afternoon in August she returned home after having +disposed of her basket of prawns satisfactorily. She was particularly +happy over her day's work, for two reasons:—The first was, that she had +sold her fish well; and the second, that she had made an arrangement +for one of her sons. + +"I've been and gone and done it, Tom," she said, as she entered the +cottage and threw down her basket. + +"Done what?" questioned a boy of fourteen, who was standing idly by the +window. + +"Got you a situation," answered his mother. "To-morrow-week you go +to Miss Pringle. You'll have to run errands, clean out the shop, and +look after the bakehouse, and, what's more, have done with your idle +vagabond habits. You're no good to your father nor me; we can't do +nothing with you. You won't work regular at any time, and Dick Potter +will be your ruin at last. He does his duty sometimes, but you never +will stick to anything but catching crabs and hunting the rocks." + +"What's Miss Pringle going to give Tom, mother?" asked Sally, a girl of +sixteen, who was darning a coarse sock. + +"He's to have his board for the first six months, and afterwards she'll +give him a shilling a week besides. And she says, Tom, you may come +home now and then of a Saturday night, and back again of a Sunday +night, when the boys have the boat convenient. I'm sure you ought to be +glad to have another chance; and you may thank Miss Pringle for taking +you, when she knows well enough what a troublesome fellow she'll have +to deal with." + +"I'd just as soon be a baker's boy as stay here to be found fault with +by you and father," answered Tom, sullenly. "Nobody thinks I can do +right. I'm sure I'd stick to the prawning or quarrying if you'd let me; +but there's too many at home, and you want to get rid of me." + +"That's not true, lad," said Mr. Gillies, a tall, rough-looking man, +who entered the room at this moment. "You know you won't work steadily, +and that it all ends in talk with you. Dick Potter will ruin you, and +you will ruin him; and the sooner you're separated the better. I'm +quite tired of hearing complaints from one and the other; this island +is too small to hold two such boys. I'm glad for you to go away; if any +one can manage you, Miss Pringle can." + +"I ain't no worse than others, father," replied Tom. "I'd do better if +you'd be kind to me. I never was a favourite at home, and never shall +be. Sally is the only one who ever speaks civilly to me. Ask her if I'm +a bad brother to her." + +Mrs. Gillies glanced at her daughter, but as the latter made no reply, +she continued the conversation. + +"Your father speaks as he finds you, Tom," she said. "Even Mr. Pander +has given you up; he thinks you'll behave better among strangers; and +yet he's promised to take Dick Potter on, the first opening that comes." + +"And so he may for all I care," muttered the boy. "I'm ready to be off +to Miss Pringle to-morrow if you like. I'm sure, with such a lot of +children about, there isn't much to make me want to stay here." + +"You're an ungrateful rascal," said Mr. Gillies; and the lad would +have received a heavy blow, had he not twisted round and made good his +retreat through the open door. + +Tom was not far wrong when he said there were too many at home for +comfort. Mr. and Mrs. Gillies had eleven children. Harry and Will, the +two eldest, were fishermen, and owned a boat between them; Ned and +James worked with their father in the limestone quarries; Sally came +next, then Tom, and five young children. + +Tom ran as fast as his legs would carry him until he reached the edge +of the cliff, then he scrambled down to a favourite cave, where he +and Dick Potter had concocted their plans for many a day, and plotted +mischievous schemes which gained for these boys so bad a name on the +island. Tom under different training would have been a better boy. He +was extremely generous, very passionate, intensely mischievous, and +easily led. Dick Potter, on the other hand, had no redeeming qualities; +he excited Tom to acts of daring which the latter would not have +thought of, and he always took care to be on the safe side himself. + +Tom had so often been in the wrong that his father and mother looked +upon him as the black sheep of the family, and never gave him credit +for doing well. The boy hardened under this treatment, and grew +reckless. To his sister Sally he was rarely rude or unkind; but her +character was scarcely matured enough to guide him, though she did her +best to induce her brother to relinquish any wild scheme that came +to her knowledge, and would, she knew, bring him into punishment if +carried out. + +Tom sat in the cave and threw pebbles into the water; the tide was +rising so that he could not search after crabs, and unless Dick came +soon he would have to abandon his position, for the water rolled so +nearly up to him. In fact, he was on the point of retreating, when a +long low whistle announced that his companion was near. + +"You're later than usual, Dick," called out Tom. + +"You mean you're earlier." + +"Well, I suppose I am. There ain't much to tempt me to stay at home. +Now I remember, I came without my tea. But Sally will look after me. +I've got something to tell you, Dick." + +"Well, speak up; what is it?" + +"First let's get out of our cave to higher ground; the tide's coming +in." + +The boys scrambled on to a jutting point of rock—another favourite +place they had—and sat down again. + +"What's up?" asked Dick. + +"I'm going to live with Miss Pringle. I shall have to help in the +bakehouse, run errands, and sweep out the shop." + +Dick whistled. + +"What do you think of it?" asked Tom. + +"Why, that you won't be there a month. Miss Pringle's a dreadfully +difficult woman to please, I've heard." + +"Anything is better than staying at home," said Tom. + +"I don't think so," replied Dick. + +"It's different with you and me. I'm not wanted here; and though the +bakehouse will be hot after so much fresh air, I'd rather be stewed +than told every minute in the day that I'm a good-for-nothing fellow." + +"You'll never stay, I tell you." + +"Is that all you have to say, Dick? You ain't a bit sorry I'm going," +said Tom, as if hurt at his companion's carelessness. + +"Of course I'm sorry. I shall lose my best friend," replied Dick; "and +mind, Tom, I shall always be ready to help you. And now we won't talk +any more about your leaving Norton Island, for there's to be a splendid +shooting at the quarry in half an hour. Let's go over and watch it." + +The boys started at once, and were in time to see a great blasting of +the rock, which generally took place when most of the men had finished +their day's work. + + + +CHAPTER II. + +MOTHER CRAMPTON. + +MOTHER CRAMPTON had passed her seventy-seventh birthday, and it +seemed probable she would live to be ninety or more, for her steps +were elastic and her eyes bright. She was a well-known inhabitant of +Dixtown, having rented the same two rooms for more than thirty years. +She kept a small shop, and sold boxes of beautiful shells, which were +collected from the neighbouring sands by a gentleman who had seen +better days, and who earned in this manner a bare subsistence for +himself and daughter. + +Mother Crampton was diminutive in stature, but neat and trim in person. +She wore a dress of coarse material, and a dark brown woollen apron. +Sometimes both dress and apron were patched in many places, and not +always with the same-coloured stuff; but the stitches were so small, +and the turnings so even, they but served to show how thrifty she was, +and what her still nimble fingers were able to perform. They moved +quickly, too, when the old dame knitted her black stockings. How she +managed to walk about in her heavy, thick leather boots was a question +that she decided by many ominous shakes of the head, and a long +explanation about the needs-be of women so far advanced in life as she +was trying to keep clear of rheumatism. + +Though Mother Crampton's face was wrinkled, and the lines in it +deep-set, she was pleasant-looking and intelligent, with a placid +expression which denoted a mind at rest. She was very peaceful and +contented, because she trusted in God, and had found the joy of +believing in Jesus for many a long year; nor was she ashamed to confess +her Saviour before men. + +We have said that Mother Crampton rented two rooms. That on the +ground-floor was her shop and parlour, overhead was her bedroom, which +was somewhat encumbered by a full-sized four-post bed, covered with a +patchwork quilt, sewn by herself. + +The lower room had a curious medley of furniture of all sorts in it. +The kitchen fireplace was let into a recess. The three shelves over +it were filled with pans, irons, candlesticks, and a great variety +of cooking utensils. Near to this recess there was a small wooden +cupboard, in which four dozen cups and saucers, six earthenware +teapots, and as many small jugs and sugar-basins, were kept. + +Opposite to it stood a chest of drawers, which held the good dame's +Sunday clothes, and all the linen and wearing apparel she possessed, +except her black silk bonnet, which was carefully pinned up in a +pocket-handkerchief and deposited in a square box under her bed. A +great variety of articles were displayed on the top of the chest of +drawers, which was protected from scratches by a green baize cloth. +Among them was an old Bible, full of quaint pictures, and a shell-house +which served for a barometer. It contained two wooden figures fastened +together by catgut. "Let my old woman appear," said Mother Crampton, +"and I'm sure the weather will be fine; and the rain will fall if her +husband shows himself." + +A small, round, wooden table was placed next to the drawers. On it +were piled, one above the other, four boxes filled with shells, which +were carefully wrapped in paper to protect them from the dust. By +their side stood a large pair of scales. A corner cupboard, the door +of which always remained open, was fixed close to the window, and +contained a reserve stock of goods and eatables of various sorts. A +second wooden table was placed in the window, which was kept tolerably +clear in the morning, so that the boxes of shells might be displayed +to customers, or the scales stand on it while some article was weighed +out. Every afternoon it was covered with cups and saucers, for many +tired fishwomen had tea ere they returned to their homes, which in +some instances were several miles distant from Dixtown, and involved a +longer row than to Norton Island. Mother Crampton earned many halfpence +by entertaining these prawn-sellers. She provided the crockery, hot +water, and milk, for which they paid one penny per head. Usually each +visitor brought her own tea and sugar. + +Three shelves extended across the shop-window. The highest held two +wide-necked bottles, one filled with starch, and the other with pepper. +A paper which covered the centre pane of glass announced that blacking +might be purchased within; while a second notice invited strangers to +inspect the boxes of shells. + +The lowest shelf was much wider than the other two; it contained +packets of blacklead, bottles of ink, a cup of oatmeal, onions, pipes, +lumps of salt, lucifers, a few prawns, and sometimes a bunch of +parsley or mint. The walls of the room were adorned with brown paper +bags filled with spearmint, sage, and other dried herbs, while three +portraits, cut out of black paper, and intended to be likenesses of +dear friends, hung over the chest of drawers. + +Mother Crampton was very busy about three o'clock on the day after our +story commences. She folded up her work at half-past two, set the cups +and saucers on the wooden table, put the kettle on the fire, and took a +loaf of bread and a small piece of butter out of the corner cupboard. +Whoever ate a thick slice of bread and butter paid an extra halfpenny, +and at the same rate for every additional slice. + +The kettle was singing and hissing when Mrs. Gillies entered, looking +very much heated. + +"How do you do, mother?" she said. "I'm glad to sit down a bit; it's +been very hot to-day." + +"Have you had a good morning's trade?" asked the old dame. "You haven't +many prawns left, I see." + +"I've been uncommon lucky, considering I came over later than usual," +answered Mrs. Gillies; "and, what's better, I've got rid of all my +stale fish. I put a tidy lot at the bottom of my basket, and a young +lady on the terrace bought them all." + +"Did you pass them off as fresh?" + +Mrs. Gillies laughed. "Of course I did, mother. I said too, 'You may +trust me, Miss.' All's fair in Dixtown; no one takes advantage of the +other." + +"And she believed you, and bought your prawns! O neighbour! When will +you learn to do unto others as you would be done by?" + +"I've my living to get, and a large family to feed and clothe; it won't +do to be too particular," answered Mrs. Gillies. + +"You may prosper, or think you prosper, by falsehood," said the dame; +"but it will never last. Honesty is the best policy, both for this +world and the next." + +"Don't preach, mother," replied Mrs. Gillies, good-humouredly. "I've +had a capital day's trade, and I'm very happy; besides, I'm too hot to +listen to a sermon." + +"Neighbour, neighbour! I wish you wouldn't talk like that. Remember +that your actions are known to God, and that you will one day have to +render an account to Him of all your false dealings." + +"Hush, hush! good mother; you're too much of a saint for me. Now, +listen. I've some news for you. Our Tom's going to live with Miss +Pringle, and I hope you'll give him a kind word now and then." + +Dame Crampton was about to answer, when two other women entered the +room, and the conversation became more general. There was a strong +smell of tea very soon, and many confidences were exchanged in the +next quarter of an hour, to which the old mother listened with a grave +face. She could not jest with her customers over what she considered +dishonest dealings. Sometimes she ventured to remonstrate, but her +words were not much heeded; still she persisted in bearing her +testimony to what she believed to be the truth. + + + +CHAPTER III. + +MISS PRINGLE AND HER LODGERS. + +MISS PRINGLE kept a small baker's shop in Dixtown, and carried on a +brisk trade; in fact, she was rather noted for her home-made bread. +The appearance of her shop from without did not betoken much business, +for the window was small, and had nothing in it but a loaf, a few +stale cakes, and half-a-dozen bottles filled with acidulated drops, +peppermint and ginger lozenges, toffee, barley-sugar sticks, and +bull's-eyes. + +Behind the shop was the staircase; then came the kitchen. On the floor +above were two good rooms, and a smaller one which went over part of +the long passage that ran through the house into the garden. + +It was a most productive piece of ground. The air of Dixtown was so +mild that all kinds of fruits and vegetables throve, while fuchsias and +myrtles flourished out of doors all the winter, and geraniums needed no +greenhouse to protect them from frost. + +Beyond the kitchen was the bakehouse, where Miss Pringle might be seen +every morning at six o'clock kneading her dough, for she was by no +means an idle woman; she managed to conduct her business with the help +of a boy, who attended to the oven, swept out the shop, and carried +bread round to her customers. + +Miss Pringle was a tall, thin, spare woman. It was difficult to +determine her age. Some said she was fifty, others sixty; but no one +ventured to ask the question, "How old are you?" And she was never +heard to mention any circumstance which afforded information on the +subject. + +She made no friends, and rarely invited any of her customers beyond the +shop. Not a single inhabitant of Dixtown had ever entered her bedroom; +she invariably kept the door locked, and carried the key in her pocket. +This circumstance excited no suspicion in the neighbourhood, for she +was considered very eccentric, and it was looked upon as part of her +eccentricity. The real truth of the matter was this—she was a miser, +and secreted her gold up-stairs. When the house-door was closed to +customers at nine o'clock in summer, and eight in winter, and the +boy sent to his bed under the staircase, Miss Pringle began to enjoy +herself. She retired to her bedroom, and, fearing no intruders, counted +her money ere she fell asleep. + +On the day before we make her acquaintance she had realised the sum of +two hundred pounds, which she kept in a stocking within a small wooden +box, secured by a padlock. For a long time she moved this box about her +room, never being satisfied that she had chosen the safest place for +it. During the last few weeks she had adopted a new plan, and placed it +inside a bandbox, which she put on the top shelf of a large cupboard +that faced the bedroom door. + +"That bandbox will not excite attention if any misfortune overtakes me, +and I am obliged to let any one in here," she said to herself over and +over again by way of encouragement. + +Miss Pringle never laughed heartily; she could smile faintly, but that +was all. It mattered not what conversation was held, nor what jokes +were indulged in, her face ever wore the same unmoved expression. She +was civil, attentive, and anxious to please her customers, but, as we +have said, she made no friends, nor did she wish for any. + +She kept a most parsimonious table. Twice a week she dined off fresh +dripping and bread, and three times off bacon and potatoes; while every +Sunday she had a small joint of mutton, which served for Monday too. + +No boy ever remained with Miss Pringle beyond six mouths. She promised +Mrs. Gillies that Tom should have one shilling a week if he stayed half +a year in her service, and she was satisfied to make this bargain, for, +judging from past experience, no lad pleased her so much as to involve +the payment of weekly wages. + +Before we tell how Tom Gillies arrived at his first situation, and +entered on his new duties, we must speak of the lodger, who, with his +only child, occupied the front room over the shop and smaller one over +the passage, for which Miss Pringle charged three shillings a week. + +His name was Newton. He was a widower, and a great invalid. Every one +in Dixtown who knew him treated him with marked respect, even though +clothes were shabby and his coat threadbare. There was no mystery about +his early history; it was just a simple every-day one of a man who +had never been successful, and who had no good friend to advance his +interests. + +Mr. Newton lost his wife at the birth of his daughter Annie, and about +the same time his health, which was before so good, declined, and he +had to contend with disease and pain. He was not quite penniless when +he came to Dixtown two years before our story opens, and selected it +as a place of residence because he had a letter of introduction to a +gentleman there, and was ordered by the hospital doctor to live in +a sheltered spot by the sea. He never presented his letter, for his +ailments did not admit of his undertaking regular work. + +Soon after Mr. Newton and his daughter, who had just completed her +fourteenth year, were established in their lodgings, an idea struck +him, and one which he hoped, if carried out, would afford him a means +of subsistence. He was a conchologist, and had studied that branch of +natural history for his own amusement. Dixtown at low water was rich in +shells, so he determined to collect the rarest specimens, and name and +arrange them in boxes for sale. In his boyish days, and long before he +felt the pressure of care, he had done this for amusement. + +It took him some weeks of hard study to master the names of the +various specimens of shells he found on the shore, and then he fell +seriously ill. Just at this crisis, and when his little hoard of money +was exhausted, his only relative in the world died and left him fifty +pounds. This sum was a great boon to the poor man, who was no longer +haunted by the dread of starvation which must have come but for this +timely aid. + +Many days passed before Mr. Newton was well enough to resume his +search after shells. During this time, his little daughter nursed him +tenderly. She was old for her years, and clever too. Her father, who +was no mean scholar, carried on her education, and she eagerly learned +of him. + +"You must be a governess, so be diligent, child," he said. + +And Annie was diligent; for she loved her father devotedly, and to +please him gave her the purest joy she knew. She was so anxious to +lighten his cares, and be of some use, that she tried to understand +what shells he required for his collections, and during his illness +spent many hours alone in searching after rare specimens. + +Mr. Newton was obliged to purchase several expensive books of +reference. "It is not money quite lost," he said to his daughter; "you +may turn them into shillings hereafter, and I must be competent myself +if I am to be an authority for others." + +It was a happy day for them when the first box of shells was completed. +It was made of card-board, and had a glass lid. Inside were two +layers of shells, which were tastefully arranged in trays on pink and +white wool. The upper layer contained five trays; in each tray were +twenty-four different kinds of shells. The lower layer held the large +single shells; the tiniest sorts were gummed on black paper. Annie, who +watched her father's operations carefully, so that she might render him +assistance when the second box was arranged, was delighted with the +success of this first attempt. + +So soon as the final touches were put, the question—which had many +times been discussed—as to who should sell the boxes, had to be decided. + +"Do not ask Miss Pringle," said Annie; "she will be sure to want half +the money we get. I have seen a little shop just off the High Street, +and a tidy old woman standing at the door; her name is Crampton; let us +call on her. It is a good situation for our purpose; the visitors must +pass on their way to the fishmarket, the pier, and the south sands." + +Dixtown was by no means a large place, and most of the shops were in +the Nigh Street. But Annie was right in the reasons she gave, when she +suggested that Mother Crampton was the best person to find a market for +the boxes. + +Mr. Newton had no difficulty in coming to terms with the old dame. + +"It's not a good time for selling, sir," she said, hanging up the paper +he brought with him that invited visitors to inspect the shells. "We've +but few strangers in the town now." + +Nevertheless, in four days a purchaser came, who gave the guinea +that Mr. Newton asked; and as Mother Crampton was satisfied with one +shilling commission, and the materials cost but two, he made a handsome +profit on the transaction. + +Annie and her father were overjoyed. This success gave them an impetus +to go forward. And when a letter came from London ordering two more +boxes at the same price, their hearts were full of gratitude. + +Before the next season, Mr. Newton had a good stock in hand, which sold +so well that he felt satisfied this new business would enable him to +live comfortably, though sparingly, and pay his landlady regularly. To +be sure, Miss Pringle's apartments were not spacious, but they sufficed +for himself and daughter; for Annie occupied the tiny room over the +passage, and her father slept on an old sofa in the front room. + +Annie was a busy little maiden, and a careful housekeeper. She cooked +nicely, and could buy to the best advantage. Her knowledge had come +early. Because she was motherless and had an invalid father, she was +obliged to forego the pleasures which children of her age love best. + +For some months all went smoothly, and then a fresh calamity threatened +Mr. Newton. He had felt his eyesight failing since his last severe +illness, and had a presentiment he might one day be blind. He could +not help dwelling on this fear sometimes. When he was depressed, +Annie roused him by her cheerful words, and reminded him that God did +not forget them. She and her father were not formal believers, but +recognised the wise Hand that overruled all the events of their lives. + +The young girl found a true friend in Mother Crampton. On the morning +after Mrs. Gillies had informed the kind old lady that her son Tom was +going to live with Miss Pringle, she took a large box of shells to her +for sale. Her heart was heavy, for her father had said, "Annie, my eyes +are so weak to-day, I will lie down and rest them, while you carry the +case we finished yesterday to Mother Crampton." + +"Do, father," she answered, "and do not be worried. I know most of the +shells by name, and can find some of the sorts quite easily. If you can +see well enough to make the boxes, we shall get along all right." + +But, in spite of her words, she felt an inward chill when she thought, +"What will become of us if papa goes blind?" + +Annie was a special favourite of Mother Crampton's. "I'm so glad to +see you, dear, for I've just sold my last box, and I've an order for +another from the same gentleman," she said, as the young girl entered +her shop. + +"O mother! How pleased I am! My father will be quite happy to hear it. +He is very dull to-day, his eyes seem so weak." + +"He must see through you, child. He will miss the beautiful scenes in +God's world at first, but he won't be blind in that other world. The +New Jerusalem will be far grander than this, and yet I'm told by them +that have gone to foreign parts, there isn't often a fairer scene to be +met with than ours." + +"Papa says the view from the cliff, which takes in the beautiful bay +and castle-hill, with Norton Island beyond, and dear little St Helen's, +is a perfect picture; and he knows something about other lands, for he +used to travel when he was young, and has visited many grand cities." + +"How is Miss Pringle, Annie?" asked Mother Crampton, turning the +conversation abruptly into another channel. + +"As well as usual. Why do you ask?" + +"Because I hear she is going to have a new boy named Tom Gillies. I've +known his mother a long time. I'm afraid he's not very steady. Try and +do him good, my dear; his mother doesn't love God, and I pity a boy +that hasn't praying parents." + +"He will not stay long with Miss Pringle. She has had three boys during +the last month," said Annie. + +"How do you manage to lodge with her if she's so particular?" + +"We pay our rent regularly, and that is all she requires," answered the +young girl, smiling. "I think, if papa were to become blind, and we +failed in our weekly payments, she would be neither kind nor civil," +she added, with a sigh. + +"Don't anticipate trouble, my child; have faith in God when the rain +falls as well as when the sun shines. He doesn't forget His children. +You're growing older every day, and will soon be able to make the boxes +alone; and if I can sell them, you can keep the wolf from the door even +if your father's eyesight fail. Here's the sovereign I owe you." + +Annie left her friend holding the sovereign tightly in one hand. +She had no great distance to go before she reached home, scarcely a +quarter of a mile. She walked by the side of some iron railings which +were placed at the edge of the cliff, and stopped when she came to a +gate that led by a narrow pathway down to the sands. Here a seat was +placed, and she could not resist sitting down to admire the scene. +The beautiful bay lay at her feet; to the north were a range of +thickly-wooded cliffs; in the far distance were sloping hills covered +with well-cultivated fields, and on the right rose the castle-hill. + +"It makes a pretty picture," Annie said aloud. + +"It does, dearest." + +She turned, and found her father had joined her. + +"What news do you bring?" he asked. + +"Very good indeed. Here is a sovereign. The box I took to-day is sold +too." + +"Thank God for that!" answered Mr. Newton. "O Annie! If I could but see +clearly, how happy I should be! But the scene grows so misty. Pray for +me, that I may be patient if what I dread so much comes to pass." + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +TOM AND DICK GO FOR A HOLIDAY. + +TOM made up his mind he would have one holiday with Dick Potter before +he was "harnessed up," as he called it, to Miss Pringle. + +Mrs. Gillies did not encourage her son to do his best at his first +situation; she rather gave him a distaste for it. Every word that +Tom uttered which displeased her made her shake her head, and say +tauntingly, "You'll learn to speak to your elders differently, young +gentleman, when Miss Pringle has you in hand." + +So Tom did not try to do better; he made himself, if possible, more +disagreeable: he pulled his little brothers' hair, disturbed them when +at play, teazed the cat, and managed to get into everybody's way, but +never volunteered to help any one. Yet Tom had a better nature, which +needed awakening. Up to this time he did not obey his parents and +endeavour to behave well, nor feel that he had a Father in heaven who +loved and cared for him, and who had given His Son to die on the cross +to save him from sin. Had he realised this, surely he would not have +said to his sister Sally, "No one gives me credit for being good, so I +may as well be naughty." + +The proposed holiday was to be spent in catching crabs. Tom started off +by appointment to meet his friend directly after his father had gone to +the quarries. + +"We shall have a first-rate day," called out Dick, who was awaiting his +arrival; "but we should do a deal better if we had the little boat that +Harry keeps for running across to Dixtown with. Isn't he gone fishing +with Will? I thought I saw them start early last evening, and I haven't +noticed them come back again." + +"They ain't back again; but for all that, I can't take the boat," +answered Tom. "If Harry comes soon, he's very likely to go over to +Dixtown, and if his boat ain't there, and he finds out I've taken it, +he'll thrash me; for he won't care to row the big boat over, it's so +much harder to pull." + +"Oh, do take it!" urged Dick. "I'm going for a holiday to please you, +and now you won't do the very thing that'll make our outing more jolly. +I'll be off to the quarries if you're going to be so ill-natured." + +"But I don't want Harry to thrash me; I know he will if he finds his +boat gone." + +"He won't want the boat to-day; he's sure to go to bed directly he +lands, for he's been up all night." + +"But suppose he's got fish to sell, he must go to Dixtown at once." + +"Most likely they'll call at Dixtown on their way home and leave the +fish." + +"If I were only sure of that, I'd fetch the boat," said Tom, showing +signs of yielding to Dick's temptation. + +"You know they hardly ever come home without calling at Dixtown by the +way." + +"But they do sometimes." + +"I've never found you a coward before, Tom," sneered Dick, pretending +to leave him. "Good-bye, you Molly." + +"Oh, don't go!" called out Tom. "I'll take the boat if you'll come with +me; for we shan't have a day together again for ever so long." + +"That's just what I thought, and why I want you to make use of Harry's +boat. We can go to the Lion's Cave; it's a jolly place for crabs. We +shall never lose sight of Norton Island; so, after all, we shall be +close at home." + +"The Lion's Cave is too far," said Tom. "I couldn't get home before +Harry if I saw his boat in the distance." + +"Then stay where you are," retorted Dick; "I shan't ask you again. +You're the biggest coward I ever saw in my life. You'd better go back +home at once." + +Tom winced under Dick's words, and was conquered by them. "I'm no +coward," he said, hastily. "I'll prove it too. Come along!" + +The boys stole quietly down the narrow pathway that led to the small +landing stage. + +"Take the anchor with you," said Dick, jumping into the boat. "We shall +want it; for we can't land against the rocks in Lion's Cave unless +we've got it; the boat would drift away." + +"All right," answered Tom. "I only wish I'd brought something to eat; +we shall be so hungry." + +"I've a loaf tied up in my handkerchief," replied Dick; "it's a good +big one, quite enough for us two. I begged it of mother, for I said we +were going to catch crabs, and I shouldn't be home to dinner." + +"I told Sally I was off for the day with you, but I never thought about +being hungry," said Tom. + +"Don't mind, we shall get on somehow. We can't starve with this." + +"And we won't be very late home," added Tom. + +Each boy took an oar, and pulled hard. They rounded Norton Island, +then St. Helen's, which communicated with it at low water; from thence +they kept close under the cliffs, passing fantastic crags, abrupt +precipices, and dark caverns. + +"There's the old Lion at last," cried Dick. "It's taken us a good three +hours to get here; but hasn't it been a splendid row? Ain't you glad +you came in the boat?" + +"Yes, it's been very nice," answered Tom; "but I should have liked it a +deal more if I'd been sure Harry wouldn't find me out." + +"Don't worry about Harry, but enjoy your holiday, my boy," said Dick. +"It's a splendid place for crabs. We'll land here first, and go to +the other caves afterwards if we've time; it's just about low water. +Doesn't the old Lion look splendid?" + +"He looks ready to spring at us. You wouldn't admire him quite so much +if you didn't know he was a stone," remarked Tom. + +"Perhaps not," said Dick, springing out of the boat. "Make haste, Tom, +and throw the rope round that tall boulder; we've two good hours before +the tide will hurt us." + +Tom did as he was bid. + +"That's right. Now let's go to work." + +The boys searched the clefts of the rocks, and turned over heavy +stones, hoping to surprise their victims. Dick took care only to poke +his stick into the holes, but he was always ready to haul Tom up on +his shoulder so that he might thrust his hand in and catch the crabs +by their claws. They soon captured four, which they tied together; +then they chased a large one in a pool. After some time, they managed +to force him on to a rock, but here he stretched out his claws, and +seemed so inclined to fight for his liberty that even Tom could not be +persuaded to handle him. At last, Dick turned him over on his back with +his stick, and then he was easily secured. + +The search for crabs was very enticing; the boys wandered far beyond +the Lion's cave in their eagerness, and both the tide and the boat were +forgotten. A great splashing of water reminded them at last that time +was passing quickly, and they discovered that they had rounded a point +against which the waves were breaking. + +"Here's a pretty go," said Dick; "we must scale the top of the rock." + +"I don't believe we can," answered Tom; "we'd better paddle." + +"Nonsense it isn't possible; the sea is too strong, you couldn't stand +in it. I'll go over first and give you a help up." + +But in spite of Dick's help, poor Tom's knuckles were badly grazed, and +to make matters worse, when he was nearly handed in a place of safety, +he let go the string which held the crabs, for his companion as usual +made him carry the spoil. + +"You must go back for the crabs," shouted Dick; "after all the trouble +we've had in catching them, I ain't going to see them thrown away." + +So Tom had to retrace his steps. When, he secured his prey, he found he +could not drag them and himself too on to the ledge where his friend +stood. Finally he threw the crabs up, and Dick caught hold of the end +of the string. + +"Now we're up here, I don't see very well how we shall get on," said +Dick. + +True enough, as Tom found when he looked down the perpendicular slab, +which must be scaled before the cave was reached. The tide was coming +in so rapidly, there was no time to waste. + +"Be quick," called Dick; "I mean to let myself down—you do the same; we +shall fall on the sand." + +"I can't and won't carry the crabs," said Tom. "If you want them, you +may take them." + +"You shall carry them," answered Dick, angrily. + +"I tell you I won't." + +Dick saw that Tom was not to be awed by any threats, so he answered +more pleasantly, "Don't be unkind; I'll bear my part. I'll slip down +first and you let the crabs down after me; I'll catch them." + +But he found the slab higher than he calculated; he did not fall on the +sand, but on a rock, which bruised him considerably, and made him very +cross. The crabs fell more comfortably, but poor Tom managed to tumble +and hit his forehead on the edge of a sharp stone. He was stunned for a +moment, the pain was so sharp. + +"Come along," cried Dick, who had gone forward with the crabs. "Make +haste, or you'll be washed away by the tide. Get past the next point, +and there's the cave." + +Tom followed his companion with a very bad grace. + +"I've hurt my head," he said, when he and Dick were safe in the cave. + +"It's nothing, only a scratch. What a fuss you make about a trifle! +We've no time to lose; we must paddle to the boat. Pull off your boots." + +"I wish I'd never come," said Tom, whose eye was smarting, and made +worse by rubbing it with his hand, which was wet with salt water. + +"It's too late to be sorry now," laughed Dick. "Be quick, or Harry will +be home before you." + +These words had more effect than any he could have chosen. Tom did not +linger again, but pulled well with his oar all the way to Norton Island. + +When they passed St Helen's, he looked out anxiously for his brothers. +But he escaped a thrashing; for they were so successful, they put into +Dixtown to sell their fish, and did not arrive home until an hour after +the boys. + +"We've had a famous day," said Dick, when they had anchored the boat. +"Now let's divide the crabs. I'm to have the biggest, because I carried +them." + +"I had them longest." + +Dick did not contest the point, but, as usual, managed to appropriate +the best to himself. + +"I'll see you to-morrow," he said to Tom at parting. "Your eye only +wants bathing; it will be all right by the morning." + +Tom was very much inclined to slink in at the back, to avoid meeting +his parents. But he was very hungry; so taking up his crabs, he went +boldly up to the front door. + +"Bless me, Tom!" cried his mother, as he entered. "What an eye you've +got! Look, father!" she added, speaking to her husband. "What will Miss +Pringle think of him?" + +"It's nothing to me what sort of an eye he's got," answered Mr. +Gillies. "He's been with Dick Potter all day, and up to mischief again. +He shall go to his situation to-morrow however bad he may be." + +"Go and bathe it directly," said his mother. "Sally, fetch some warm +water." + +"Come, Tom, there's a good boy!" called his sister. "Let's go into the +kitchen. What splendid crabs you've got. We'll boil one or two of the +smallest for supper, and Harry will sell the best to-morrow." + +Tom was soon sitting by the fire giving Sally an account of the day's +proceedings, but he did not tell her how far he and Dick had been, nor +that he had taken his brother's boat at his friend's suggestion. + + + +CHAPTER V. + +HOW TOM SPENT HIS LAST DAY AT HOME. + +WHEN Tom awoke, he could scarcely open his eye, it was so stiff and +sore. No one pitied him, and he knew very well he deserved no sympathy, +and that, if the truth were known, he would be severely punished. + +One wrong step led to another, and before breakfast was over, he had +told several untruths to hide his fault. First, he said he had walked +across the low ridge of rocks which united St. Helen's to Norton +Island, and had a heavy fall. Then, when one of his brothers asked if +Dick were with him, he answered, "Only part of the time." He felt very +uncomfortable when Sally put this question, "Was your little boat at +home yesterday, Harry? I went down to look if you were coming, and I +didn't see it at the landing stage." + +"But I did," answered Tom, hastily, putting his hand up to his eye, as +if it pained him, but really to hide his confusion. "It was there when +I went to St. Helen's." + +"Perhaps I overlooked it," said Sally. + +And the conversation ended at this point; for Harry seemingly did not +notice the question. + +Tom was thankful to escape detection, and he felt no compunction at +having volunteered so many falsehoods. + +"Stay at home to-day, and see if you, can't get that eye of yours +better, Tom," said his father, as he left the room to go to his +work. "It makes you look as if you'd been fighting. Mind, no excuses +to-morrow—nothing must hinder you from going with your mother, the +first thing in the morning, to Miss Pringle." + +"Your clothes will be all ready," remarked Mrs. Gillies. "You've a +change of shirts, and a good second-hand suit for Sunday. The every-day +one you've got now will serve for some months yet. Never was a boy +better started off. I wish you'd be a bit thankful." + +"You don't expect me to be, so I don't disappoint you," answered Tom, +carelessly. + +"Was there ever such a boy!" said his mother, angrily. "It's a good +thing you stand alone in the family. Do for once be obedient, and keep +indoors quietly to-day. I'm going to Dixtown. Now, I tell you what I'll +do, Tom," she added, more kindly. "If you stay, and bathe your eye, +I'll sell your crabs, and buy you a pair of boots with the money they +fetch." + +"All right, mother!" he replied, going into the kitchen. "Come, Sally, +give me plenty of hot water." + +Tom was very quiet for the first hour, then he grew tired of doing +nothing, so he strolled out for a little walk, hoping he should meet +Dick. But as the latter had a day's work at the quarries, there was no +chance of that. + +At last, he sat down at the edge of the cliff overlooking the landing +stage, and amused himself, as usual, by throwing stones about in all +directions. He stopped when he saw a very handsome tabby cat creeping +slowly along; she belonged to his grandmother, old Mrs. Gillies, who +lived in a small cottage on the island. Tom disliked his grandmother, +and knew that the cat heralded her approach. + +He was right; grandmother followed close behind her favourite. When she +came near to her grandson, she asked, "How did you get that black eye, +Tom?" + +"What does it matter to you, grandmother?" answered the boy, rudely. +"But if you want very much to know, I fell on the low rocks over +against St Helen's." + +"You didn't, Tom. You were doing what you'd no right to do. I saw you +in Harry's boat yesterday. Did he lend it you?" + +"That's no business of yours," retorted Tom, angrily. + +"But it is my business, and I mean to know the truth. I shall ask Harry +if he lent his boat to you." + +"So you may, grandmother, and he'll say Yes." + +"You've told a story, you hardened boy. How glad I am you're going away +from here! I mean to call at your father's this evening. Harry shall +know that you took his boat; you deserve a good whipping. You didn't +go to the low rocks. I saw you and Dick Potter start in the boat, and +I watched your return. I might perhaps have kept your secret if you +hadn't been so pert this morning. I am going over to Dixtown until +evening; but expect to see me on my return." + +Tom had no time to answer, for Mrs. Gillies made her way quickly down +the pathway to the landing stage, where an old fisherman and his wife +were awaiting her arrival. + +Grandmother's cottage was her own, and she had a pension of four +shillings a week, which just sufficed to keep her, with the help of +sea-birds' eggs, crabs, mussels, and such like food. It was strange +that she should prefer going to Dixtown with her neighbours, rather +than her relations. This arose out of her independence; she did not +care to be under any obligation to her own kindred; for though she +admired her son greatly, her grandchildren did not inspire much love, +and she really disliked Tom. + +The cat waited until the boat which contained her mistress was fairly +off, then she came slowly up the sloping pathway. + +Tom watched her, and as he watched, wicked, mischievous thought entered +his head. + +"I'll be thrashed for something," he said aloud. "Miss Tabby shall +catch it, and grandmother will find that if she tells of me, she'll be +paid back again." + +Thus speaking, he seized on an old tin saucepan which had been thrown +out of one of the cottages, and had lain for many a day among the rocks. + +"Tabby, Tabby!" he called, and then looked round to see if any one were +near. No one was in sight, so he called again, "Tabby, Tabby!" + +As a rule, the cat avoided Tom; but perhaps his voice sounded more +gentle than usual, and poor Tabby felt lonely without her mistress. Be +that as it may, she came and rubbed her nose against him. + +Tom felt in his pocket for string. Unfortunately, he found enough for +his purpose. He stroked and petted the cat, and meanwhile made one end +of the string fast to the old saucepan, which had lost its handle, but +had a great hole in the side that served Tom's purpose just as well. +The next thing to be done was to tie the other end to pussy's tail, and +this was rather a more difficult matter, but was managed at last by +means of a slip-knot. + +When all was arranged, Tom carried Tabby a little way down the pathway, +and then let her run. So soon as the poor creature heard the noise +behind her, she flew along to escape it. Round and round she went, and +up and down; but the same noise followed her. At last, she bounded down +the cliff, far out of Tom's sight. He pursued her, and was in time to +see her flying backwards and forwards over the rocks. He called her, +but she was too wild with fear to heed his voice, and ere he was near +enough to catch her, she plunged headlong into the sea, which was +rather stormy, and was quickly carried out by the tide. + +Tom threw off his socks and boots, and paddled out so far as he dare, +but he was too late to do any good. Tabby and her saucepan were far +away, and the last he saw of the one friend his grandmother prized in +the world, was pussy floating on the waves. + +Tom was aghast at his work. He would willingly have endured a thrashing +could he have brought the poor cat back again to life. He watched the +waves until he lost sight of her, and then he walked slowly away. No +one had seen him, but even that comfort did not avail; for he knew +that he had acted a dastardly part. He was conscience-stricken; the +mentor within told him he was a cruel, inhuman boy. He went directly +home, and sat at the cottage door for the rest of the day. He was not +afraid of his grandmother suspecting him until after he had left home, +for the cat sometimes absented herself for hours together; but what if +Pussy and the saucepan should be washed on to the shore when the tide +turned?—That would tell tales of some one. + +Mrs. Gillies reached home towards afternoon, and busied herself in +arranging Tom's clothes. She had bought him a strong pair of boots, and +several other articles of dress, at Dixtown. + +"I was determined to give you a good start, Tom," she said. "I couldn't +have a son of mine go to his first place without proper things, so I +added a little money to the couple of shillings the crabs fetched." + +"Thank you, mother," answered Tom, but in such a subdued voice, Mrs. +Gillies thought he was awed at the prospect of leaving home. + +"Cheer up, lad," she said, kindly. "Only be a good boy, and you'll +please your father and me, and we shan't find fault with you any more." + +Tom burst into tears at these words, which astonished his mother still +more. + +So, by way of changing the conversation, she added, "Have you said +good-bye to your grandmother?" + +"I saw her this morning for a minute," replied Tom, drying his eyes +quickly. "She's gone to Dixtown for the day." + +"What a stormy passage she'll have home! She oughtn't to go like +this without consulting the boys. But I suppose she will have her own +way." + +Every footfall that passed, Tom thought that grandmother was coming, +and when the evening closed without seeing her, the boy felt even more +repentant, for perhaps, after all, she was better disposed towards him +than she had seemed to be in the morning. He had a miserable night, for +he dreamed of Tabby and the saucepan and granny's anger from the time +he fell asleep until he awoke in the morning. + +His brothers were so kind to him before he left that he was sorely +inclined to tell Harry how badly he had behaved, and he would have done +so in all probability, had not the latter gone off early, leaving Will +to row him and his mother over to Dixtown. + +"Good-bye, Tom," said his father, shaking hands with him. "You must +never expect to come home again for good. Remember this is the +turning-point in your life; and if you don't stay with Miss Pringle, +you must find another situation, or starve, for I can't keep idle +fellows here." + +Tom looked anxiously in the direction of his grandmother's cottage as +he went to the boat, but all seemed quiet as usual. "She may never find +me out," he thought; "and if she does, I shall be far enough away to +escape a punishment." + +Still the boy was unhappy. Another reason which made him rather out +of spirits was not having seen Dick Potter on the previous day. It so +happened Dick was home very late, and went to bed directly, nor did he +feel inclined to get up earlier than he was obliged, in order to say +"good-bye" to his friend. + +His comments to himself, as he worked at the quarries, might have been +summed up in these words: "Tom 'll miss me, but he'll be just as +useful to me at Dixtown as here; in fact, more useful, for I shall have +a day with him in the town when it suits me." + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +TOM AT HIS SITUATION. + +THE boat reached the landing stage by seven o'clock on Saturday morning. + +"Carry your bundle, Tom, and follow me," said his mother. "I'll just +take you to Miss Pringle, and then I'm off to sell my prawns." + +As Mrs. Gillies passed up the narrow street where Mother Crampton +lived, she stopped for a moment to speak to the dame, who was standing +at her door. + +"Good morning, mother," she said. "This is my son. He's the one I told +you was going to live with Miss Pringle." + +The old woman smiled kindly at Tom. She liked the expression of his +face. + +"How different she is to grandmother Gillies!" thought the boy. "I'm +sure I shouldn't teaze her cat." + +"Is your name Tom?" she asked. + +"Yes," answered Mrs. Gillies. "He was christened Thomas, but we +generally call him Tom, sometimes Tommy, it doesn't matter which. He's +on his own account from this day. I'm sure he's old enough to earn his +living." + +"I hope I shall hear that you're doing well," said Mother Crampton, +looking at Tom. "You may call and see me whenever you've half an hour +to spare." + +"Thank you!" he answered. + +"That's kind of you; for he won't be able to come home very often on +Saturday, because of his having to be back on Sunday evening to be +ready for Monday morning's baking," added Mrs. Gillies. "Our being on +that bit of an island makes us obliged to fetch him and send him back. +There isn't a fisherman in Dixtown who'd do the journey one way under a +shilling." + +"Couldn't either of your sons help him?" asked Mother Crampton. + +"They'll help him when business calls them here, but they work so hard, +poor fellows, I couldn't ask them to come on purpose." + +"Then, Tom, I will invite you to spend any Sunday evening that Miss +Pringle spares you with me; but remember, I'm a quiet old body, and +can't bear noise. Will you like to come?" asked Mother Crampton. + +"Oh! Yes, please," answered the boy; "and I'm sure I could sit still if +you'd talk to me." + +Mrs. Gillies looked surprised. "He's behaving like a gentleman, I +declare," she said. "He's subdued-like, because he's got a black eye. +He went out and fell over the rocks. But come, Tom; I haven't any more +time to spend in gossip." + +Tom allowed his mother to go forward a few steps, and then he turned +to Dame Crampton and said, "I don't believe I shall ever want to be +mischievous when I'm with you. Good-bye!" + +The mother and son walked briskly through the town, and soon reached +the baker's shop which was to be Tom's home. + +Miss Pringle had just finished her breakfast in the kitchen. She had +prepared a second bowl of porridge for her new boy, for she expected +him to arrive early, and felt she could not very well suffer him to +be hungry until dinner-time; and, in fact, there was no economy in so +doing, for he would only eat more then. She came into the shop when she +heard the sound of voices, and Tom met his new mistress for the first +time. + +After a few preliminaries were arranged, and Miss Pringle had asked Tom +how he came by his black eye, his mother said, "I shall call for his +clothes every Saturday. Of course, I shall wash and mend them for him, +and I dare say I shall look in now and then to see how he's getting on." + +"I never encourage much intercourse with home, Mrs. Gillies," answered +Miss Pringle, stiffly. "I keep my boy fully occupied, and always find +he works better if he doesn't see too much of his relations." + +"Oh! Very well; it's the same to me. I'll only come and fetch the +clothes on Saturday." And nodding to her son, Mrs. Gillies left the +shop and walked up the street, crying, "Who'll buy fine prawns?" + +She was so fortunate in finding customers that she was ready to return +home at noon; but knowing that Will would be busy in Dixtown until one +o'clock, she went to Mother Crampton's to spend the spare hour. + +We must return to Tom. + +"Follow me," said Miss Pringle so soon as they were alone. + +Tom took up his parcel and walked behind his new mistress into the +kitchen. He stood at the window and watched her while she went to the +fire and set on a saucepan. In a few moments he heard her say, "It's +nice and hot now," and then she poured the contents into a basin of +exactly the same dimensions as one already standing on a round table. + +She placed the basin, with an iron spoon, opposite to her own and sat +down, and pointing to a wooden stool, ordered Tom to take his place. +He did so, and found himself face to face with Miss Pringle, who was +unlike any one he had ever seen before. He wondered how he should get +on with her, for he already felt quite subdued in her presence. + +"Your name is Thomas, I think," she said, in a grave voice. + +"Yes, missus, but I'm most always called Tom." + +"Say, 'Yes, Miss Pringle.' I always like my name pronounced by my +boys when they address me. Now hear what I have to say. Don't think +I'm a rich woman, Tom; I'm very poor, and have hard work to earn my +living; therefore, I expect my boy to do his best to save me from all +unnecessary expense. As to your food, you live just the same as I do, +so there can't be any grumbling about not being well fed. Would you +like me to tell you exactly what you have to do all day?" + +"Yes, Miss Pringle." + +"We rise at five o'clock in summer, six in winter, and on Sundays at +seven all the year round. You will hear the clock strike, and know +when to get up. I expect you to be dressed and waiting for me in the +kitchen by a quarter past seven to-morrow, and on Monday by a quarter +past five; but I do not wish you to unfasten a shutter or undraw a bolt +until I come down-stairs. When we have opened the house, you will have +to heat the oven while I make the bread; then you will sweep out the +shop and dust the bottles of sweets that stand in the window. Mind, I +do not allow you to take a single drop; I shall prosecute you if you +touch one: it's the kindest thing for me to do, and will save you, +perhaps, from being hanged; for great crimes generally come out of +little beginnings. + +"You have to scrub the shop floor once a week, but you must wash the +stone steps every morning. Then you have to carry the bread out, attend +to the garden, fetch water, gather the fruit and sell it, and do just +whatever is wanted. I'm quite as particular about the fruit as the +sweets; if I find you eating a bruised apple, I shall stop off part of +your dinner; but if you gather an apple or a peach, I shall give you +into the policeman's hands. + +"I've forgotten one thing here in the house, that is the stairs; you +have to sweep them down every morning. My bedroom is always locked, +for I attend to that myself; and the gentleman and his daughter who +lodge with me want nothing from you except civility. Now and then I +shall not mind your going home on Saturday until Sunday evening, but +only as a great treat; for, as I told your mother, I don't encourage +too much visiting of any kind. You'll go to church with me on Sunday +morning, and after dinner, your time is your own until half-past seven +in winter, and half-past eight in summer." + +While Miss Pringle was speaking, Tom played with his iron spoon, for he +did not like to begin to eat without receiving her permission. She now +signified to him that he should take his porridge, and she handed him a +thick slice of stale bread. + +"It's very good bread, and not too new," she said. "I often wonder how +my customers can do with it so fresh from the oven; it's very bad for +their digestion." + +Tom soon dispatched his porridge, but he found it a harder matter to +eat the bread, so he quietly slipped what remained of his slice into +his pocket, when his mistress was making up the kitchen fire. + +"Now you've finished, I'll show you where you sleep, and a drawer in +which you may keep your clothes," said Miss Pringle. "Bring your bundle +with you. This is your room," and she pointed to the hole under the +staircase. "You have a comfortable bed here, and I allow you clean +sheets once a month. This top drawer," and she opened one of a chest +that stood in a recess between the kitchen and staircase, "is for your +clothes. You can wash in the kitchen; I allow you a clean towel once a +fortnight. I will show you where you may keep it; and you will always +find soap in the dish by the side of the sink. Unpack your clothes, and +then come to me in the kitchen." + +Tom was too much surprised to speak. He had been accustomed to rough +food and a hard bed, but he had never eaten such stale bread before, +nor slept in a blackhole under the staircase. + +He soon disposed of his small wardrobe in the one drawer allotted to +him, and then went to Miss Pringle, who was sweeping the shop. "This is +scrubbing day," she called out, when she saw him enter. "Take the pail +to the pump, and fill it with water, and let me see you go to work." + +Tom filled the pail, and began to scrub for the first time in his life. +He found it more difficult than he anticipated, for he had a hard +mistress to please. First he held the brush wrongly; then he made the +floor too wet; then he wasted the soap by leaving it in the water; and +at last, he could have cried with mortification. + +Miss Pringle watched him for some time before she began to dust the +bottles in the window. "These are the sweets, Tom, I spoke of," she +said, tapping one of them with her knuckles. "Again I tell you that if +you steal a single drop, you will find your way to the police-station." + +[Illustration: TOM SCRAPING THE FLOOR OF MISS PRINGLE'S SHOP.] + +Tom was a long time before he finished scrubbing the shop. Afterwards, +he was ordered to sweep the stairs. + +"They're only scrubbed once a mouth," said his mistress. + +The boy found this task as difficult as the scrubbing, for he could not +manage his great broom. He was labouring over the undertaking, when a +door at the top of the staircase opened, and a young girl appeared with +a teapot. It was Annie Newton, who, remembering what Mother Crampton +had said about Tom, and seeing him, broom in hand, move down the stairs +to give her room to pass, said, "How do you do? I hope we shall soon be +good friends." + +Tom's heart warmed towards Annie; she looked so pleasant, and spoke to +him as if he were her equal. So he answered, "Thank you, miss. Can I +fill your teapot? The water doesn't quite boil, I know; I'll bring it +up when it's ready." + +Miss Pringle came out of the kitchen at this moment to look after Tom, +so Annie thought it was better to fill the teapot herself. + +"Oh! It's you, Miss Annie. Come for your hot water, I suppose," said +the spinster. "That's my new boy; he isn't very handy yet, but I hope +he'll turn out well when he's been properly taught. How's your father +this morning?" + +"Tolerably well, thank you," replied the young girl. "He seems in much +better spirits about his eyesight." + +Having filled her teapot, Annie passed Tom again, and smiled at him, as +he stepped on one side to make way for her. + +"I'll do anything for you," thought the boy. "How odd it is that, since +I've been at Dixtown, I've seen two people that I don't think I could +have behaved so badly to as I did to grandmother! I don't believe I +should have taken Harry's boat if they'd been with me instead of Dick." + +And then Tom remembered the poor cat and its untimely end, and was so +absorbed that he stood with his chin on the broom, and did not hear +Miss Pringle come softly out of the kitchen to see what he was doing. +She brought him back to himself by laying her hand heavily on his +shoulder, and saying, "This won't do. I can't have an idle boy." + +Tom looked very red, and set to work again, nor did he allow his +attention to flag until he had finished Saturday's cleaning. + +"What am I to do next?" he asked, appealing to his mistress. + +"Carry out the bread," she replied. "That is the basket on the shelf. +There are four families I send to. The people at the great house, they +have six loaves. Then there is Mrs. Richards in High Street has three +loaves; Mr. Johnson the butcher has three, and Mr. Smart the grocer +three. Now mind, I allow no playing on the road; you must not be gone +more than half an hour." + +Tom walked away at a quick pace, and soon deposited his six loaves at +the great house. "I won't be behind to-day," he muttered, as he bent +his steps towards the High Street. But Tom, it must be remembered, made +resolutions in his own strength, and was infirm of purpose. He had not +gone very far before he stopped to look at some boys playing marbles; +and then at a sailor who was carrying home a toy sailing-boat, so that, +though he hurried the rest of the way, he lost five minutes, which he +could not make up. + +Miss Pringle did not comment on his length of absence, and Tom hoped he +had escaped reproof; but when dinner-time came, he was informed that +he would have dry bread and water, and no bacon, which Miss Pringle +ate alone. She generally punished her boys for minor offences by +stopping off part of their food, because it answered a twofold purpose; +saved her provisions, and taught them that they could not disobey her +commands without reaping bitter consequences. + +The boy felt very indignant. He would have promised to do better had +she given him a kind word of remonstrance, but to be deprived of half +his dinner made him rebellious. + +"Take the basket and fill it with fallen apples," said his mistress +later in the day. + +Tom was no longer bright and happy, or inclined to be obedient. "The +disagreeable old thing!" he murmured, as he walked down the garden. +"I'll eat some, that I will." + +He picked up the apples, which were scattered about in every direction, +and ate as fast as he could meanwhile. + +Opposite the apple-tree was a well-filled peach-tree. "How good they +look! I'm sure she hasn't behaved so well at starting that I need be +careful about taking just one," thought Tom. So he made a long step +across the border and gathered the largest he could see. He put it +hastily into his pocket, and was about to demolish it behind a shrub, +when he heard his mistress call "Tom." + +"She's seen me from the window," he exclaimed. "No, she's not," he +added, for Miss Pringle was talking to a lady. + +It was Mrs. Wyvil from the great house, who came to buy fruit. She +looked into Tom's basket, and offered Miss Pringle two shillings for +its contents. The offer was accepted, and Tom was ordered to carry them +across at once; which he did after secreting the peach in his drawer as +he passed the staircase. + +The remainder of the day was spent in digging up potatoes and weeding +the gravel walk. Tom was glad to pause for a quarter of an hour and +sit down to his tea in the kitchen when the clock struck five, for he +had never worked so hard before in his life. His allowance was a bowl +of very weak tea, with a slice of the same stale bread, and a thin +scraping of butter on it. + +"Now, Tom, get to work again," called the spinster from the shop when +the clock chimed the quarter. "At ten minutes to eight you may put away +your tools and come to supper." + +When the evening meal was concluded, Miss Pringle said, "I want you to +read a chapter out of the Bible to me, Tom; but before you begin, tell +me, on your honour, did you eat any apples?" + +"No, Miss Pringle." + +"I believe you. Now read the twentieth chapter of the book of Exodus." + +Tom felt a twinge. After, all Miss Pringle was better than he believed +her to be; for she supposed that he told the truth. He had a second +twinge when he read the commandments through, for had he not stolen? +Was not the peach in a corner of his drawer? + +"I allow you ten minutes to get into bed, Tom," said his mistress. +"Don't be longer." + +The boy took care to put the peach under his pillow, lest Miss Pringle +should look into his drawer when she came to take away his candle. So +soon as he was alone, he ate it, but he did not enjoy it in the least, +for he could not forget the words he had been reading. "Thou shalt +not steal," came to him again and again; and, somehow, the peach and +grandmother's cat were strangely mixed up in his dreams; so, though +he slept soundly, he felt very tired and miserable when he awoke next +morning. + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE DEAD CAT. + +GRANDMOTHER GILLIES did not carry out her intention of calling on her +son to complain of Tom, because she was so late home from Dixtown. She +made up her mind she never would trust to her neighbours again, for +she had to sit on the harbour wall for two hours, waiting until the +fisherman and his wife were ready to return. She had appointed to meet +them at a given time, and they had failed to keep the appointment. She +was afraid to leave her post lest they should come in her absence, and +yet she wanted a cup of tea to warm her so much; for though it was +August, there was a brisk wind, and Grandmother Gillies did not bear +the chilly evening air at seventy as she had done at twenty years old. + +The trio did not leave the harbour until after sunset, and when they +were half way to Norton Island it blew such a gale that the boat +advanced very slowly, for the fisherman was an old man, and unable to +pull the oars so vigorously as Harry or Will Gillies. + +Grandmother was thankful to reach home. She found her cottage window +half open, as she had left it, to admit Tabby, if the cat chose to take +shelter there in her absence. She busied herself in making a fire and +boiling her kettle of water; and when she had disposed of a large cup +of tea and a good slice of bread and butter, she felt better, and the +world smiled on her again. + +"I wonder where Tabby is?" she said aloud; for she had a habit of +talking to herself. "I mustn't let her go without her milk. Tabby, +Tabby!" she called from the window. + +As the cat did not appear, grandmother set aside the saucer of milk, +and, having washed up her tea things, and put them back into the +cupboard, settled into her arm-chair by the fire. + +"I'm just tired out," she muttered. "I've had a good warning not to +trust to other people again. Harry and Will know how to pull, and +wouldn't keep me waiting for a couple of hours." + +Before grandmother retired to her bedroom, she went to the window and +opened it just wide enough for Tabby to squeeze through if she came +later, and then she discovered that large drops of rain were falling. + +"Why, it's just beginning to rain!" she exclaimed. "Tabby hates rain; +she'll be sure to come now. I'll wait another ten minutes and close the +window, for the wet beats in. Tabby will take good care to knock, and I +shall hear her." + +So Grandmother again took refuge in her arm-chair, and this time she +fell fast asleep. + +When she awoke, the fire was out and the clock struck eleven. She +roused herself up and found the lucifers to light a candle; she then +opened the window, expecting to find Tabby without, and very cross at +being unable to get in. She was a little surprised that the cat was not +there, but no thought of an accident having happened to her favourite +crossed her mind. + +"She'll be here before morning. I'll leave the window as I generally do +when she's out," said the old woman. + +Grandmother Gillies was up betimes, and her first thought was of Tabby. +When she discovered no trace of her, she began to wonder where she was. + +"I certainly saw her close to the landing stage when the boat started. +Ah! And Tom was there too; but he wouldn't touch her, I know." + +She was still debating in her own mind as to Tabby's whereabouts, when +the door was opened, and her granddaughter Sally entered. + +"Good morning, granny," she said. "I came to see how you were after +the storm. Mother has taken Tom over to Dixtown, and she couldn't come +herself. She was afraid you'd have a tossing yesterday." + +"So I did, Sally. Was Tom's eye better?" + +"Oh, yes; much better, granny. But how are you?" + +"What did Tom do yesterday? I saw him on the cliffs opposite the +landing stage when I started," asked the old woman, without heeding +Sally's question. + +"He said he saw you. He was at home nigh upon all day. He didn't seem +in good spirits." + +Grandmother was relieved. She did not really imagine that Tom would +injure her cat, and yet she was glad to know that he was at home +for the greater part of the day, and never suspected that he had +accomplished his cruel work so immediately after she left him. + +"How are you, granny?" asked Sally again. "You don't seem quite +yourself. Mother was afraid the storm would upset you." + +"No, it hasn't, child; but the fact is, Tabby's never been home all +night, and I'm a little uneasy about her." + +"But she often serves you so." + +"Not if it rains; she never stays out in the wet." + +"I daresay she won't be long. She'll be wanting her breakfast. Shall I +walk round the island and see if I can find any trace of her?" + +"Do, there's a good girl; and come back to me before you go home." + +Sally went off at once, asking the few people she met by the way if +they had seen the cat, for Tabby was just as well-known as any other +inhabitant of the island. She was on the point of returning to her +grandmother, to inform her that her errand had been a fruitless one, +when she thought she would go down to the shore. The tide was running +out fast, and Tabby might be in one of the caves catching small crabs. + +It did not take her many minutes to reach the landing stage; she walked +along the sands, peering into every corner, and calling "Tabby! Tabby!" +As she was passing a small nook, where several high stones were firmly +fixed in the sand, and covered with thick brown sea-weed, something +darker than the weed attracted her attention. Sally walked up to it to +gratify her curiosity, and not because she expected to find Tabby. And +then she discovered it was the body of the once petted cat, which had +evidently been preyed upon by some creature, for she had a large hole +in her side, and half her tail was gone. As Sally gazed in wonderment +and horror, a great crab sidled away, as if it had been disturbed, and +sought to hide from detection. It was quite evident that poor pussy had +fallen a victim to its voracious propensities, but how she came to be +reduced to such a condition as to afford food for a crab was more than +the young girl could tell. + +"What will grandmother say? Who will carry the poor cat home to her? I +dare not," she exclaimed. "Oh! What shall I do?" + +She sat down near the dead creature, but shrank from touching her, +and kept repeating to herself, in a monotonous voice, "What will +grandmother say?" + +She was aroused by a sound of whistling. It was Dick Potter, who was on +his way to the quarries. + +"O Dick! Do come here," called Sally. "Tabby's dead; it's so dreadful." + +The boy scrambled, and jumped, and slid, until he reached her side. +"What's up?" he asked. + +"Look! Look!" cried Sally, pointing with her finger. + +"It's a dead cat, that's all. It ain't a very uncommon thing to find +one, and I suppose the crabs have been at it." + +"But it's Tabby," almost screamed Sally, "grandmother's cat; and I +can't touch her, she looks so horrible. I don't know what granny will +say when she sees her. She'll be quite ill." + +"I'll carry it up to the old woman if you like, but you must go on +first and say I'm coming." + +"I'd rather you went with me to help tell her." + +"Nonsense! What's a cat?" said Dick, scornfully. + +"A great deal to grandmother," answered Sally, indignantly. "But I'll +be obliged to you if you'll carry Tabby home," she added, more gently. + +Dick touched the cat with a short stick he carried, and finally held +her by the small bit that yet remained of her once beautiful tail. + + +Grandmother stood at her open door watching for Sally to come. She did +not notice that Dick was behind her granddaughter, and asked, "Have you +found her?" + +"Yes, grandmother," replied Sally, hesitating. + +"Where is she?" said the old woman, walking forward a few steps; and +then she caught sight of Dick carrying her dead Tabby. + +"You wicked, wicked boy!" she screamed. "How dare you kill my cat? I'll +have you punished." + +"A nice way to thank a fellow!" exclaimed Dick, throwing down his +burden. "You may bury her yourself; I won't help you." + +And he was turning away, but Sally called out— + +"It wasn't Dick, grandmother; Tabby's fallen over the cliffs into the +sea. I found her on the shore, and the crabs have had her." + +"Tabby fallen, indeed she was too sure-footed for that. Oh, my poor, +poor cat!" And grandmother burst into tears. + +Bad and hardened as Dick was, he felt a momentary sorrow for old Mrs. +Gillies. "I ain't worth much," he said, "but I wouldn't kill your Tabby +for fun." + +"You must believe him," cried Sally; "depend on it, I'm right. Tabby +fell over the cliffs." + +"I wish I hadn't gone out yesterday; everything went wrong," sobbed +poor granny. "I suppose Tabby must have tumbled. I'd have locked her +up if I'd thought she'd have got into mischief. She always has walked +on the most dangerous places. O dear! I don't know how I shall get on +without her." + +Sally tried to comfort the old woman, but Dick's sympathy was soon +exhausted. "I'm off to work now," he said. + +"I thought you'd help bury her, and now you're going away. Won't you +stay and dig a hole?" asked grandmother. + +"If you've done making a fuss, and are ready for business, I'll stay," +answered Dick, rudely. "Where's a spade?" + +"I'll get one," replied Sally. + +"I can't bear to part with her," sighed grandmother, stroking the +mangled remains of her poor favourite, while Dick was busy digging. + +"We must find another pussy for you," answered Sally, kindly; "there +are plenty of kittens to be had for asking." + +"But none will ever be so faithful as my poor dear Tabby." + +The grave was made in the small garden behind the cottage. Grandmother +watched Dick until he had finished, and a little mound was raised over +Tabby's remains. + +"Here's twopence for you," she said, "and thank you." + +Dick was not generous enough to refuse payment; he put the coppers into +his pocket, and went away to find work. + +"You can go home now, Sally," said grandmother; "I'd rather be alone." + +It was a long day for the old woman, who shed many tears over poor +Tabby's untimely end. Could Tom have witnessed her grief, he would have +been doubly punished. + +Mr. Gillies and his son Harry called in the evening, and heard the sad +history a second time; for Sally had already told them every particular. + +"I shall soon find you a new pet, granny," said Harry, when he bade her +good-bye. "Don't fret." + +"I'd rather not have another just yet," she replied. + +"You'd best leave your grandmother to herself," remarked Mr. Gillies to +his son, as they walked home. "It's no use trying to mend matters while +the trouble's so fresh. She's better without a cat for a time." + +"I shall ornament Tabby's grave to-morrow" was grandmother's last +thought ere she fell asleep. And here we may as well add that before +many days passed, the little mound was studded with whelks and oyster +shells, and in the centre a fuchsia was planted which cost a shilling; +but granny did not grudge the money, nor the sacrifice it entailed to +purchase it. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +SUNDAY WITH MISS PRINGLE. + +TOM thought seven o'clock never would come on Sunday morning. He was +up and dressed soon after five, but he dare not open the house, having +received orders to wait in the kitchen. + +Miss Pringle was down-stairs punctually, and after wishing Tom good +morning, told him to unfasten the shutters and unbolt the doors. This +was soon done. Then he received instructions to carry a pail to the +well in the garden, and fill it with water. + +"I'm very lucky," said his mistress. "While all the people in Dixtown +are short of water, and have to go to the public spring, my well is +supplied." + +This announcement did not particularly interest Tom, moreover he was +impatient to get into the garden. "I don't believe I can stay here +long," he muttered, as he walked along swinging his pail. "I must have +fresh air, and there's little to be got in my present quarters." + +Tom had a sensation of enjoyment he had never experienced before as he +looked at the flowers and felt the warm sunlight. "How beautiful Norton +Island will be to-day! How I shall like to peep at it this afternoon!" +he thought. And then he sighed, and said aloud, "I've been silly, very +silly, not to find steady work nearer home. I declare I shall miss them +all. I wonder if I really am much worse than other boys?" + +"Make haste, Tom," called out Miss Pringle, in a sharp, shrill voice. + +The boy began to pump, and the water came at first, though slowly; but +before his pail was full, it ceased altogether. + +Tom pumped on for some minutes, but not another drop could he get. +"It's no use trying any more," he said. "I must just go and tell her +what's happened." + +On his way back, he picked up an apple that lay in his path, and began +eating it. + +"What did you throw away just now?" asked his mistress, coming out to +meet him. + +"A bit of an apple, Miss Pringle," said Tom. + +"How dare you touch my fruit?" + +"It was a very bad one, and only fit for the pigs, Miss Pringle." + +"Bad or not bad, you shall obey me. I shall punish you for it. Why have +you not filled the pail?" + +"There isn't any more water in the well," answered Tom, rudely. + +"I don't believe it. You haven't pumped properly." + +"But I know I have. You'd better go and try the pump yourself." + +"Speak respectfully, Tom. After you have filled the kettle, follow me, +for I intend you to pump while I look on." + +Tom did as he was told, but not pleasantly. As they passed the +peach-tree, Miss Pringle stopped to count her peaches. + +"One gone," she said angrily. "You've taken it, Tom." + +"Suppose I haven't, Miss Pringle." + +"Did you, or did you not take it, sir?" + +"No, Miss Pringle," replied Tom positively, and moved toward the pump. + +"I wish I'd never taken him; he seems worse than other boys, and more +difficult to manage," thought the spinster. "Now, Tom, pump," she said +aloud. + +The boy pumped again, but with the same result. And at length, his +mistress was obliged to confess, though very reluctantly, that she must +do as others had done for some weeks, make use of the public spring. + +"It's most provoking, Tom," she said; "you must be very careful of the +water we've got, for I don't intend you to fetch any to-day. I'm not +going to have the neighbour's giggling at my expense on Sunday. You can +only wash your hands once more to-day, and Miss Newton must do with a +short allowance. Now come to breakfast." + +Miss Pringle had prepared the porridge when Annie came into the +kitchen. She wished Tom and her landlady good morning, and made some +remark about the fine day. + +"I'm in great trouble," whined Miss Pringle, without returning her +greeting. + +"What is the matter?" + +"My pump has gone dry, Miss Annie." + +"But, with such a beautiful spring so near, that need not trouble you," +answered the young girl, cheerfully. + +"You're just like all other children, Miss Newton; as if any public +spring could be as good as a private well. You will find out I'm +right before the day is out, for you must do with what water you have +up-stairs for washing. I've only just enough for the teapots." + +"I'm afraid I cannot do without a small jugful in addition; papa needs +some warm water to bathe his eyes with." + +"He can't have any, Miss Annie. To-morrow there will be plenty." + +"You can beg a little from next door, Miss Pringle. Mrs. Wilkins fills +her large tub every Saturday for Sunday's use." + +"I'm surprised at you, miss. Do you think I mean to sink so low as to +ask my neighbour to give me water?" + +"There is nothing to be ashamed of," answered Annie, with some spirit; +"but at any rate, if you dislike asking Mrs. Wilkins, I can do so; poor +papa cannot go without warm water for his eyes." + +"May I fetch you a jugful from the spring?" asked Tom, eagerly. + +"Thomas, you forget yourself," said Miss Pringle, angrily. "It is not +my habit to send my boy out to fetch water on Sunday." + +"Thank you all the same for your kind offer, Tom," replied Annie; "I +shall manage somehow," she added, as she left the kitchen. She was half +way up-stairs when the thought occurred to her that he might be without +books, so she returned once more, and said, "If you come up-stairs and +tap at the door after you have had your dinner, Tom, I will give you a +book, and introduce you to papa." + +"Thank you, miss," he answered. + +Miss Pringle was in the habit of attending the village church at +Annerly, which was about a mile and a half distant. The way through +the fields to it was a charming one, so pretty that Tom could scarcely +restrain himself and walk steadily, he wanted so much to gather +wild-flowers, and chase the bees and butterflies. + +His attention wandered in many directions as he sat in the free seats +by the side of his mistress, until these words caught his ear: + +"Thou shalt not steal." + +They made the blood rush into his cheeks. After this, his old +grandmother and her lost cat occupied his thoughts. He wondered how +the poor old lady would spend her Sunday without her favourite? He +could not shake off the remembrance of his wicked act, and grew so +uncomfortable at last that he moved about and shuffled his feet, until +he received a warning look and pinch from Miss Pringle. + +He forgot his discomfort as he walked home; but then the warm sun and +fresh air were so pleasant after sitting still so long, and he was to +call on Mr. Newton directly after dinner, and could amuse himself in +his own way until evening. One thing he decided upon, which was, to +climb the castle-hill and look over to Norton Island. He could not have +put his feelings into words had he tried to express them, but he had +a strange yearning for his own people that he had never felt before. +He wanted so much to see them, for though he had only slept one night +away, it seemed as if many days had passed. + +Miss Pringle had roasted a shoulder of mutton on the previous afternoon +to be cold for Sunday. Tom was very hungry, and glad to think the +dinner would be so substantial. He helped his mistress to set the +table, and took his place, wondering why she placed a morsel of dry +bacon opposite to him. He soon learnt why it was there. + +After Miss Pringle had cut a large plate of mutton for herself, she +said, in a grave, stern voice, "You took my apples, Thomas, when I +expressly ordered you not to touch one, therefore you will have no +mutton to-day. Eat that bacon. Another time you will only have bread +and water." + +The boy was about to answer rudely, when conscience whispered, "You +deserve the punishment; remember, you stole a peach and denied the +theft;" so he kept silence. + +"Your time is your own until half-past eight o'clock, Tom," said the +spinster when dinner was over. "I wish you to go out at once." + +"May I see Miss Annie first?" he asked. + +"I suppose she will expect you; but do not be long, or you will keep me +waiting." + +"I can shut the door when I go out," suggested Tom. + +"Indeed, you will do no such thing. I never allow my boy to be idling +about the house when I am in my room. Go up-stairs at once, and don't +stay more than five minutes." + +Tom tapped at Mr. Newton's door. + +It was opened by Annie. "Come in," she said. "Papa would like to see +you." + +They entered into conversation together, and Tom was enjoying his visit +very much, when Miss Pringle knocked loudly, and asked, "How much +longer do you mean to keep me waiting, Tom?" + +"I mustn't stay," said the boy, rising as he spoke. + +"How will you spend the afternoon?" questioned Annie. + +"I hardly know, miss, except that I mean to go to the castle-hill, and +look at Norton Island." + +"Here's a little book for you. Will you promise to read it?" + +"Yes, miss, that I will." + +"It's called 'Come to Jesus.' Take your Bible, and look out the texts +which are referred to, and some day you shall tell me if you have +accepted the invitation which Christ gives to all to come." + +Tom had no Bible of his own, but did not like to confess this to his +new friend; so he took the book she held out to him hastily, and said, +"Good afternoon." + +"You've been chattering up there too long. I hate gossiping," were the +words he heard from his mistress as he entered the kitchen. "It's quite +four minutes since I knocked for you to come down." + +"I'm quite ready to go now," said Tom, fetching his cap. + +Miss Pringle followed him to the front door, and locked it; she then +retired to her bedroom, for she knew that the next two hours would be +undisturbed. No visitor ever came on Sunday afternoon, and her lodgers +never stirred between three and five o'clock. + +But she did not read, nor did she pray, nor sleep—she spent the time in +counting her sovereigns. She touched them softly, lest Mr. Newton or +his daughter should hear them chink; but she touched them with a thrill +of joy, for the possession of them had mastered every other feeling. +She only lived to store up her money, and seemed to forget that God +might one day say to her, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be +required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast +provided?" + +Tom walked quietly along, sometimes peeping through the iron railing to +get a better view of the bay. When he came to the gate which led to the +pathway down the cliff, he sat down on the seat for a few minutes, and +took out his book. As he opened it, these words arrested his attention,— + + "If you come not to Jesus when young, it is not likely you will come +at all. Habit will fasten strong chains around you, which will be +harder to burst asunder every day. While you wait, Satan works. He is +busy tying knots. You are his prisoner, and he is making more and more +secure the cords which bind you. Whenever you sin he ties another knot." + +Tom could read well, and was by no means a dull boy. "I suppose Satan +tied a knot when I stole the peach, and another when I ate the apples, +and I can't tell how many when I killed grandmother's cat," he said to +himself. + +Then he read the heading of the chapter—it was this, "Ye who are young, +come." + +"It seems easy enough to come in a book," murmured Tom; "but it ain't +easy. I'll read the chapter over again when I get on the hill. I really +wish I'd a Bible of my own. I think I'll save up, and buy one." + +He walked on until he reached Mother Crampton's house, and here he was +stopped, for she was taking in some milk as he passed, and asked him +where he was going to. + +"The castle-hill," he replied. + +"Would you like to take tea with me first, and go to the castle-hill +later?" she asked. + +Tom's face expressed the pleasure he felt, though he only answered, +"Thank you." + +The old woman and young boy became fast friends at that first tea +drinking. Tom told her what a character he had earned on the island; +how unkind he was to his brothers; how often he vexed and annoyed his +parents; and he showed her his little book, and pointed to the chapter +he had just read; but he did not tell her of the wrong-doing which was +weighing more heavily on his conscience than all his other misdeeds. + +Mother Crampton spoke very unreservedly to him, and Tom heard her with +deep interest. She made it plain to him that unless he cried for mercy, +the chains of sin would bind round him so tightly that he would find +them hard indeed to unfasten. But he learned, too, that One was at hand +to help him—One was waiting to give His Spirit in answer to prayer—One +was listening to catch the first faint echo of the cry,— + + "Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before Thee." + +"Good-bye, my dear boy," said Mother Crampton at parting. "Come to me +next Sunday, and instead of lounging on the castle-hill, you shall +accompany me to God's house. Don't let Satan tie any more knots this +week; try and unfasten the old knots, which he has been tying for so +many years, by prayer. Ask in faith, and the answer will come." + +"I wish—how I do wish!—I had courage to tell her all," thought Tom, +as he threw himself on the turf when he reached the castle-hill. "I +know I should have been a deal happier, and now I'm really right-down +miserable." + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +TOM HEARS FROM HOME. + +"TOM, you must be off and fetch some water," said Miss Pringle the next +morning. "It's very annoying, to be sure, that I should come to this. +Take two pails with you." + +The lad was ready to go at once, for he was anxious that the water +should boil by the time Mr. Newton required it. The street was thronged +as usual with water-carriers; the beautiful spring which supplied +one side of Dixtown had never failed in any time of drought, and bid +fair to yield so long as there was a demand. It bubbled up out of the +ground, and was conducted, by means of a pipe, through a tap which was +placed by the side of a fine sycamore, one of a group of six trees. + +Tom had about three minutes' walk to reach the spring. Just as he +turned out of the house-door, he saw his mother coming up the street. +After she had heard that Miss Pringle's well had failed, and where he +was going to, she said, "Tell me how you're getting on." + +The lad gave a detailed account of his life since he had entered on +his situation, but all the time he was longing to know if his mother +would mention grandmother's cat. They walked towards the spring as they +chatted, and found, when they reached it, at least twelve women and +children awaiting their turn to draw water. + +"You must be patient, Tom," said Mrs. Gillies. "I can't stay any +longer, or I shall lose the chance I have of selling my prawns by being +first to cry them. I shan't be over here until Saturday, for the boys +are going to have a long turn, and I've a deal of setting to rights to +do at home. I don't think I've any news to tell you. Oh, yes! I have. +I declare, I quite forgot it in seeing you, and hearing about Miss +Pringle. Grandmother's lost her cat." + +"Lost her cat, mother! What do you mean?" asked Tom, trying to keep his +colour down, and stooping to pick up one of the pails, which he kicked +over because he felt he must do something. + +"Why, I mean that Tabby's dead; and how the poor creature came to run +into the sea nobody can tell. Sally thinks she fell over the cliff, and +that the crabs attacked her, for she had a great hole in one side, and +Sally saw a big crab scuttling away." + +"How came Sally to see the cat?" + +"She went to look after grandmother, who was out in that terrible +storm the day before you left, as you know; and she found her very low +because Tabby hadn't come home. So Sally went after the cat, and saw +her lying dead on the shore, and Dick carried her home, and helped +bury her in the garden; and grandmother says she'll never have another +favourite. But I mustn't stay any longer. Good-bye, Tom." + +The boy gave a great sigh of relief as his mother left him, because his +secret was safe. Then he thought of the knots. It wasn't the way to get +rid of sin to try and hide it; and with all his efforts, he couldn't +hide it from God. He was so occupied with his thoughts he did not +notice that he was alone at the spring. He filled his pails quickly, +and made such haste home that the water was boiling before Annie came +down-stairs to fill her teapot. + +In the afternoon Miss Pringle ordered him to take a basket and gather +some blackberries from the hedges in Windmill Lane, where she heard +they were hanging in thick, ripe bunches. "You may pick a good few, +Tom," she said, "for the apples are falling, but will do very well for +jam, mixed with blackberries." + +Tom liked the idea of a run in the lanes, but was barely out of sight +of the house before he was stopped by hearing the whistle he knew so +well, and turning round, found that Dick Potter was close behind him. + +"What have you come to Dixtown for?" asked Tom. + +"Because I've got no one to go out with on Norton Island, now you've +gone, and I've nothing to do at the quarries, for I've quarrelled with +the foreman," answered Dick; "and father was so angry, he sent me off +to find work at the harbour. I've been waiting about here since one +o'clock for you to come out. Where are you going to?" + +Tom told his errand. + +"I'll go with you, and help you," said his friend. + +As the boys walked to Windmill Lane, Dick enlarged on the untimely end +of grandmother's cat. Tom winced several times when he alluded to the +poor old woman's sorrow; but he made no confidant of his companion, +and right glad was he to reach the blackberries, in order to turn the +conversation into another channel. + +"Here we are," he said, interrupting Dick in the middle of a sentence. +"How splendid they are! Now let's go to work." + +The basket was soon filled, and then the boys feasted themselves. + +"What are you going to do?" asked Tom, as they came almost within sight +of Miss Pringle's house. + +"I shall lounge about until dark, and share your bed to-night," +answered Dick. + +"But you can't. Miss Pringle will never let you." + +"I don't mean to ask her. I'm coming at your invitation." + +"But I can't give you one. Why don't you ask some of your friends at +the harbour?" + +"After to-night I will. Do, Tom, there's a good fellow, let me sleep +with you just for once. I'll go away before daylight. I'm promised work +to-morrow, so it's only to-night." + +"But I can't let you in, Dick. Miss Pringle locks as well as bolts the +doors, and carries the keys in her pocket." + +"You're a stupid, Tom. Can't a fellow come in other ways besides +through a door? There's a window at the back, I suppose." + +"Yes, in the kitchen." + +"Where do you sleep?" + +"Under the staircase. There's only just room for me. I'm sure you +couldn't get in as well," said Tom, in a dolorous voice. + +"I shall try, at any rate. Now, Tom, don't be disagreeable. I know +you'll put yourself out for an old chum. I'd do as much for you. I +shall be taken on to-morrow; and the fisherman says he'll pay me every +day just at first. So I only want your help for this one night." + +When Dick coaxed, Tom was sure to yield. As we have said, his was not a +strong character, nor had he strong principles, so he finally yielded +to his friend's evil influence. + +"As it's only one night, Dick," he said, "I don't so much mind. But you +must come in very carefully, for there are lodgers in the house, and +Miss Pringle sleeps over the kitchen. If she finds me out, she'll give +me over to a policeman." + +"Don't be frightened, Tom, but trust me to take care of myself and you +too. I'll tap at the kitchen window when the clock begins to strike +ten." + +Dick had invented a tissue of falsehoods. He had not quarrelled with +Mr. Pender's foreman, nor had he a situation in prospect. The truth +was he had no work at the quarries for two days, and thought he might +as well go over to Dixtown to see how Tom fared, and he intended +returning to Norton Island on the following morning. Mr. Potter never +troubled himself about his son, and Dick had no mother. His stepmother +was a kind-hearted woman, but had a large family to care for, and she +was rather relieved than otherwise when her stepson absented himself +from home, for she disliked his idle habits, and feared that his evil +influence would be hurtful to her children. + +Miss Pringle was satisfied with her basket of blackberries, but Tom +was not satisfied with himself. As he peeled the apples, he thought +of Mother Crampton's advice, "Don't let Satan tie any more knots this +week." + +"I know I'm going to tie a big one to-night," he said aloud, forgetting +how near Miss Pringle was to him. + +"I didn't hear you, Tom," called his mistress. "I'd just gone out of +the garden door for a moment. What did you say?" + +Tom started, and felt very foolish. Fortunately Annie Newton came in +from a walk at this moment, and hearing voices in the kitchen, looked +in to ask him how he liked his book. + +"Pretty well, thank you," he stammered out, but seemed so uncomfortable +that she did not venture to ask a second question. + +Every half hour that passed made Tom more miserable. He wished that he +could break his rash promise, but he dare not, for he knew that Dick +would be noisy if so treated. When the clock chimed a quarter to ten, +he left his bed, and made his way into the kitchen. + +He was not a coward by nature, but the sense of wrong-doing sometimes +makes the stoutest heart fail. A mouse nibbled in the wainscot as +he passed, and frightened him so much that he broke out into a cold +perspiration. The moonlight streamed in over the top of the shutters, +and reflected his own shadow on the wall, and he trembled. Still he +went forward, and unfastened the shutter gently, just in time to see +Dick glide up the garden, under the shelter of the wall. He had entered +through the fields, which extended for some distance, and were only +separated from the garden by a low hedge. + +The window was soon unbolted, and in a few moments Dick was standing in +the kitchen. + +"I'm so glad to be here," he said, "so very glad! You're a good fellow, +Tom. Let me go to bed at once, and mind you wake me early to-morrow. +I'm sure to sleep on, for I am so tired." + +"I don't know how you're to get into my bed; it's scarcely big enough +for one," whispered Tom. + +"Let me stay here. The floor will do me. Show me where you sleep." + +"Follow me," replied Tom. "But come very gently." + +The two boys groped their way to the staircase. Dick had a box of +lucifers with him, and a candle, which he lighted, for Miss Pringle +took good care that Tom should not be supplied with either article. + +"I see there's only just room for one," said Dick, after he had looked +into the hole which Miss Pringle called a bedroom. "I'd just as soon +be in the kitchen. You go to bed now, and I'll come to you if I wake +first; but I daresay I shall sleep latest." + +Tom returned to his bed somewhat comforted. Dick behaved so well that +he was almost glad he had let him in, and perhaps no harm would come of +it. He listened for a few minutes, to assure himself that all was still +ere he fell asleep. + +Dick could hardly have explained the reason why he was so anxious to +make his way into Miss Pringle's house, beyond it being a cheap mode of +getting a roof over his head for the night; and he liked the fun and +excitement of it. He was about to settle himself for the night, when he +heard a great noise overhead, which startled Miss Pringle as much as +Dick, so fearful was she of exciting suspicion; in her passage to the +cupboard, she had tumbled over a chair. + +"What can the old maid be after?" he thought. "I'll go and see." + +He soon slipped off his boots, and crept up the stairs. He looked +through the keyhole, and was astonished at the sight it revealed. +Miss Pringle was sitting on chair facing the door, so that he could +see every movement. Having assured herself that no alarm was raised, +she turned a number of sovereigns out of a stocking into her lap, +and having counted them carefully, returned them one by one into the +stocking, and deposited the stocking in a wooden box. She managed to +do this so quietly that he scarcely heard the chink of money. There +was no sound in the house, save the regular breathing of one asleep +in the lodger's room, so Dick kept his post until he had mastered the +spinster's secret, and learned that the bandbox in her cupboard did not +contain her best bonnet. + +He returned to the kitchen as quietly as he had left it, and lay down +on the hard floor. It was a long time before he could forget himself in +sleep. At last it came, but there was little refreshment in it, for he +dreamed of gold, gold, nothing but gold. He was reaching out his hand +to grasp the coveted treasure when Tom shook him. + +"Get up, Dick," he said; "you must be off, or she'll see you. You've +been moaning so, I was afraid you'd be heard. You've been dreaming +hard." + +"I think I have," answered Dick, rubbing his eyes, and gradually +awaking to a sense of passing events. + +"Be quick and go. I don't want to get into a scrape," urged Tom. + +Dick was soon ready, and Tom was extremely relieved when he lost sight +of him. + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE EXCURSION TO LOCKSTONE. + +DICK returned to Norton Island that afternoon, and went to work at the +quarries on the following morning. He thought of nothing all day but +the bright sovereigns he had seen Miss Pringle handle so carefully. If +he had so many, how he would enjoy himself; money commanded everything, +and it was hard that so much should lie idle at the top of an old +woman's cupboard. At last, he envied Tom his situation, for if he had +lived with Miss Pringle, he might have had some chance of getting at +her hoard. Yet Dick knew there was only one way of possessing it, and +that was to steal. He did not want to risk imprisonment, but if sure +of escaping detection, he would have been glad enough to get the money +into his hands. + +When Saturday came, he resolved to go to Dixtown. Tom would shelter him +again. He could be persuaded to do anything. + +"And if," said Dick to himself, "if I see my way clear to turn him out, +and turn myself in, I'll do it." + +As his plans were uncertain, he told his stepmother that there was no +chance of work at the quarries for a week, so he meant to try after a +job at Dixtown harbour, and might be absent several days. + +It was late in the afternoon before Dick was able to get a lift over +to Dixtown. Just as he reached the High Street, he spied Tom in the +distance, who had been to the grocer's for his mistress. + +"How lucky I am to come across you so soon," said Dick, tapping his +friend on the shoulder. "I'm here on purpose to see you." + +Tom did not appear very glad to meet Dick. "I thought you'd got a +situation," he said. + +"It ended in smoke. I've been home, but felt so dull without you, +I've come back. We'll have an afternoon together to-morrow, and go to +Lockstone to fish. The tide will just suit for us to walk there and +back on the sands. I'll sleep in the kitchen to-night as I did before." + +Tom's face fell. "I can't let you in again, Dick," he said, but in a +hesitating tone of voice. "I really can't, it's so risky; and I daren't +go out with you to-morrow, for if we were to be late home, Miss Pringle +would send me away." + +"Stuff, Tom, as if a boy like you, who knows every turn of the tide, +is likely to be late. They say Lockstone is splendid, and it's quite a +short walk by the sands; and it's a new place for both of us. You will +enjoy a run after being shut up all the week." + +Dick could act the part of tempter to perfection, and Tom was not +proof against his wiles. "If I was sure we should get home in time, I +shouldn't mind going," he answered. + +"Of course you will; I'll take good care of that." + +"But I can't let you sleep in the kitchen, Dick, even if I do go to +Lockstone." + +"What nonsense, Tom, I think you're turning quite silly. Expect me at +ten o'clock," and Dick walked quickly away in an opposite direction. + +The above conversation gave him food for thought. It was evident that +Tom was afraid of forfeiting his place if he were after time on Sunday +evening. Why could he not devise some means to keep him out so late +that Miss Pringle would dismiss him, and then he might apply for the +situation? + + +Tom admitted him as before, but this time they were in fear of +detection, for Dick stumbled and fell, and the noise he made must have +been heard by Miss Pringle, had she not at that moment been standing +on a high stool inside the cupboard. Tom shook in every limb, and even +his companion was frightened. They listened for some minutes, but all +was perfectly still, so Tom went to his bed, and Dick pretended to lie +down. The latter made several attempts to go up-stairs, but every time +he came near to Tom, he heard him moving, so he dare not; and when he +felt that he might venture because Tom was snoring, all was dark and +still in Miss Pringle's room. + +Tom breathed a sigh of relief when Dick was out of the house next +morning; but he no longer had misgivings about the excursion to +Lockstone, for his friend had dilated on their prospective enjoyment +until he fully entered into the plan. He was well pleased, too, that +Dick did not ask him if he might sleep there a second night; he had +said at parting, "I shan't come again Tom, for I see it worries you. I +think I know a fellow who will give me a bed, just for once." + +Tom accompanied his mistress to church, but his thoughts were at +Lockstone, and occupied in making arrangements which had reference +to his afternoon outing. He was a little puzzled to make up his mind +whether he had better tell Mother Crampton he was engaged to Dick and +could not stay tea with her, or make an excuse when he saw her. He +decided on the latter course. + +So soon as dinner was over, he went to his room and put on his +every-day suit quietly. Then taking his cap, he walked down the passage +to the front door without going into the kitchen again. + +Miss Pringle heard him, and called out, "Mind you're home punctually, +Tom." + +To which he replied, "I'll be here." + +"You're very exact to time," said Dick, who was waiting just out of +sight. "I've brought a net with me, for we may as well catch some fish, +and I begged a loaf in case we should be hungry, from a fisherman I +know." + +The day was warm and fine, and when the boys were fairly on the way +their spirits rose, and they laughed and talked gaily. Though the tide +was running out, they had to climb over high boulders, and scale deep +pools in order to get along. Lockstone Point was about two miles from +Dixtown; it ran out for some distance into the sea, and was formed of +rocks of all shapes and sizes, tilted up on edge. Some of them made +little islands, round which the waves splashed and foamed, and all of +them were thickly covered with mussels, while the deep pools were rich +in corallines, anemones, sea-weed, and crustacea of every description. + +Tom forgot it was Sunday, forgot his conversation with Mother Crampton, +forgot that he was tying, and not untying, knots, forgot all but a +sense of intense enjoyment at once more returning to his old life. + +It was five o'clock before they reached the Point, for they loitered by +the way, trying to catch shrimps and turning over the great jelly fish +that were strewn about the sands. At Lockstone, they found full grown +crabs, and netted so many prawns in the pools that they each had enough +tied up in their pocket-handkerchiefs to furnish a large dish. + +"We mustn't stay here too long," said Tom. "I think we'd really better +be off now. We shall have nice time to get up the cliffs by the pathway +yonder, and home by the lanes, without hurrying ourselves." + +"We've lots of time to walk by the shore," replied Dick. + +"I tell you I'd rather not venture," answered Tom. + +"And I tell you it's nonsense. I hate the lanes; there's nothing to do; +and there's no end of amusement by the sea. Come along, I'll lead the +way." + +Tom thought it looked very tempting. + +"Be quick," shouted Dick. "There's plenty of time if you come directly. +The tide isn't nearly up." + +Still Tom hesitated, but finally allowed himself, as usual, to be led +as his companion willed. + +"All right," he said, "but mind I'm going ahead. I'm not going to stop +and dawdle about." + +Dick allowed him to have his way until he had passed one or two +difficulties in the shape of jutting points of rock, which were covered +by the waves at high water; and then he began to call Tom's attention +to one object after another. At length, they reached a cave with a deep +pool in it, and a narrow ledge of rock on either side. + +"Let's go along here," said Dick; "we shall find plenty of crabs in the +crevices of the rock." + +Tom had not noticed the cave on the way to Lockstone, and it offered +great attractions to him, so he walked along the narrow ledge, followed +by his friend. When they had penetrated so far in as was prudent, and +were turning round to go back again, Dick, apparently by accident, +but really intentionally, tripped him up and sent him sprawling into +the water. He had some difficulty in scrambling out again, and was +thoroughly wet through. + +Dick pretended to be very sorry, and helped him to take off his coat +and waistcoat. The tide was coming in faster than either of them knew. +Dick only discovered it just in time to warn Tom, and drag him, coat +and waistcoat in hand, on to a place of safety, when a great wave +dashed in, and covered the ledge on which they had been standing five +minutes before. + +"We're well out of that," exclaimed Dick. "I don't know where it would +have swept us to." + +The boys were now on a rock out of reach of the water; it was a point +rarely covered, except in time of storm, and it stood at the base of a +perpendicular cliff. + +"Here's a pretty go," called out Tom, who had been looking anxiously, +first on one side, and then on the other. "I believe we're tide-bound." + +"That we are," answered his companion. "We certainly can't pass the +next point. I don't care about myself, but I'm sorry for you, because +of Miss Pringle." And Dick really looked quite vexed, though he was +secretly rejoicing over the great success of his plan. + +Tom's face expressed his disappointment. "How stupid I was not to go +straight up from Lockstone," he said. "It's your fault, Dick, for +persuading me to come back by the shore." + +"It's yours, Tom, for you fell into the pool, and hindered our getting +on." + +Nothing was to be gained by quarrelling, for it was impossible to pass +the points on either side, and there was no way up the cliff between +Lockstone and a fishing village close to Dixtown, so Tom was obliged to +wait. + +"Don't put on your coat, old fellow," said Dick. "Dry it now. I +declare, here's a tiny cave just below; let's creep into it, and sleep +here." + +"No, that I won't," answered Tom, resolutely. "I'm sure it isn't eight +o'clock; by ten the tide may have turned enough for us to get on again." + +"Miss Pringle will never let you in. Fancy her sitting up for you." + +"I'll try at any rate, whatever you may say," replied Tom, angrily. + +"Don't put yourself into a temper," retorted Dick. "You shall have your +own way; but I say she won't let you in." + +It was after midnight when they reached Dixtown. They were far out in +their calculations of the tide, for they really knew nothing of the +state of the shore on that side of the bay. + +Dick accompanied Tom to Miss Pringle's house, and waited to see if he +could gain admission. He knocked once, twice, and thrice, before Mr. +Newton opened his window, and said, "I'm sorry I can't let you in, but +Miss Pringle has forbidden it." + +"Come along, we shall find an empty boat by the harbour, Tom. It's no +use attempting to get in anywhere. It won't be the first time in your +life that you've slept in the open air." + +And Dick led the way, followed by his crest-fallen companion. + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +HOW TOM FARED. + +TOM was very miserable when he awoke. Dick was not by his side, and he +had evidently slept until a late hour. He tried to rouse himself and +stand up, but he felt very weak and ill. He was sitting with his head +between his hands, thinking of the last night's catastrophe, when Dick +appeared, carrying a bundle. The boys had not slept in a boat, but +under an archway in the cliff. + +"Tom, old boy," said his friend, "I've been doing my best for you. I +woke up early, and as you were still asleep, I thought I'd do you a +good turn with Miss Pringle, so I went to her and said I was to blame +for taking you out, and I asked her to forgive you this once. Then I +told her how sorry you were, and how the state of the tide deceived us +both." + +"Well, what did she say?" asked Tom. + +"She won't take you back on no account. She made me wait while she +packed your clothes, and told me to tell you that you'd better go home." + +"I'll never do that," replied Tom, angrily; "but I wish, Dick, you'd +minded your own business, and left me to manage mine." + +"I do call that unkind. It's not like you, Tom; but it never answers to +help a fellow out of a scrape." + +"I think I'll go and beg her pardon, at any rate. Don't you be vexed, +Dick; I suppose you meant to be kind. Give me a helping hand." + +When Tom stood up, he was so giddy that he was glad to lie down again. + +"I can't go," he said, piteously, "I feel so ill. Mother is going to +Miss Pringle this morning with my clothes; ask her to come here." + +Dick was very glad to be thus dismissed in order to escape further +questioning from Tom. + +And now we must inform our readers of the substance of the conversation +which took place between him and the spinster, when he went, as he +said, to do his friend a good turn. + +He had waited until the harbour clock struck six, and, rejoicing that +Tom still slept, he ran to Miss Pringle's house. She was sweeping her +shop, and grumbling meanwhile at having to do it herself. + +Dick rang the outside bell. + +She went hastily to the door, her face wearing its most severe +expression; and, to her astonishment, she saw a strange boy. Miss +Pringle had resolved to keep Tom for the six months. In many respects +he suited her, and she had even once or twice entertained the idea +of giving him a shilling a week at the end of half a year, for he +appeared, on the whole, to fit in better than any boy she had had +before; but Tom must show signs of repentance, and be severely punished +for his disobedience. She considered turning him adrift into the +streets for the night would be wholesome discipline; and hence she told +Annie not to admit him if he knocked and rang twenty times, for he +should never enter her house again. + +"Who are you?" Miss Pringle asked, when she saw the strange boy at her +door. + +"I'm Tom Gillies' friend," said Dick. "I've called for his clothes; he +ain't coming back again; he don't take to the baking business." + +"Impertinent boy!" exclaimed the spinster, angrily. "How dare he treat +me so rudely! I'll complain to his mother." + +"They can't do nothing with him at home," said Dick, in a plausible +tone. "He didn't ought to behave so to you. I'm sure other boys would +be glad to live here." + +"Certainly," replied Miss Pringle. "I really cannot understand Tom; he +mentioned nothing to me about leaving yesterday." + +"He was so angry because you didn't let him in last night, and made +him sleep under the archway; he says it was barbarous of you, and you +oughtn't to have treated him so badly." + +"Oh, that's the way he talks about his wicked behaviour; he wishes to +turn the tables on me, I suppose. You may take his clothes away; but +it's very annoying to be left without a boy." + +"I suppose I shouldn't do?" said Dick, looking very humble. "I should +like to live with you." + +"What's your name?" + +"Dick Potter. I come from Norton Island." + +"If I take you, I must learn something about your parents. I have known +Mrs. Gillies for many years, but I do not know your mother." + +"I haven't got a mother of my own," said Dick, rubbing his eyes with +the back of his hand. "Mother died years ago, and father's married +again, and there's a lot of children at home." + +"When could you come to me?" + +"To-day; for I'm sure Mr. Pender would let me off at once. I only get +odd jobs to do at the quarries, and I do want reg'lar work." + +"If you live with me, you will have to work hard; I cannot have lazy +people here. Tom did his work well if he liked. Are you certain he sent +you for his clothes?" + +"Quite certain, Miss Pringle. If you'd heard what shameful language he +used about you, I'm sure you'd have sent them away, even if I hadn't +come after them." + +"I thought you were his friend," said the spinster, sharply. + +"So I am, for we've been brought up together, I might almost say; but, +for all that, I like justice to be done to people who's as kind to 'em +as you've been to Tom." + +Time was fast slipping away, and Miss Pringle had to bake her bread; +she had hoped Tom would return in time to light the fire. + +"Wait a moment while I fetch the clothes," she said, "for I must make +my bread at once, or I shall be behind all day." + +She went to the drawers, and then discovered that Tom had worn his +every-day suit. + +"Deceitful boy!" she muttered. "He must have been bent on mischief or +he would not have changed his clothes secretly. I'm sure he's no loss." + +"There is the bundle," she said, giving it to Dick; "if you like to +take it to Tom, and return to me, I will see how you can work." + +"I shan't be long," replied Dick. + +Soon after the bundle of clothes was despatched, Mrs. Gillies called +to see her son, and heard an exaggerated account of his behaviour from +Miss Pringle. She scarcely heeded her last words, "I've got another +boy in his place," but started away to find Tom, for the spinster +could give her no information as to his whereabouts. She met Dick, who +directed her, but he did not tell her whither he was going, and she was +so full of seeking for Tom, she did not remark on the strangeness of +meeting him in the town at that early hour. + +"A pretty state of things!" she said, angrily, when she found her son. +"You'll ruin yourself, Tom, and your father will be terribly vexed. I +don't know what to do with you. I suppose you must go back home with +me. Will is coming over in his boat at two o'clock, so get up and don't +lie idly there. I'll ask Mother Crampton to let you sit in her chimney +corner until I'm ready, and the boat's here." + +Tom tried to rise, but could not steady himself without his mother's +help, he was so stiff and giddy. + +"Here's a bad boy come to sit in your kitchen, Mother Crampton," said +Mrs. Gillies, dragging her son in. "He's been up to some of his old +games, and Miss Pringle's sent him off." + +Tom looked so miserable that the Dame made no remark. She had imagined +something was amiss when he did not keep his appointment on the +previous afternoon. + +"He's welcome to stay here," she replied. + +"Then I'm off," said Mrs. Gillies. "I shall be back long before two +o'clock. Sit by the fire, Tom, and don't stand shivering there." + +Mother Crampton had no time to ask any questions for the first hour; +but when her bed was made, and her room tidied, she put the breakfast +things on a round table near the fire, with a loaf and butter. + +Tom sat with his head in his hands, and took no notice; he felt very +much ashamed, and fancied he was very ill. + +"Come, my boy, cheer up," said Mother Crampton; "drink a cup of tea, +eat the thin slice of bread and butter I'm cutting for you, and then +tell me all about yesterday." + +By degrees she drew from Tom the history of his Sunday excursion with +Dick, and why he had not come to see her. + +"I'm very sorry to hear all this," she remarked, when he ceased +speaking. "Oh, Tom, you've been tying and not untying knots all the +week. I did so hope you were going to turn over a new leaf. I really am +very very much grieved and disappointed." + +Tom's tears began to fall fast. If Mother Crampton had scolded, he +could have borne it better than her kind, earnest words. + +"But it really was all Dick's fault," he sobbed. "I shouldn't have +thought about going to Lockstone if he hadn't asked me." + +"But not his fault that you yielded to the temptation. If you succumb +to every unholy influence that you meet with in this world, you will +heap up sorrow here and hereafter." + +"I never have been so wretched in all my life, except—" and Tom +stopped, for he thought of grandmother's cat, and this made him +remember that he was going home, and would see her. "I can't, I really +can't," he added aloud, "I can't go home, Mother Crampton, for she—I +mean, they'll all be so angry with me." + +"You must bear it as part of the punishment you have brought on +yourself. You are not well enough to take another situation directly; +but I will promise you, that if at the end of a week, I hear a good +character of you, and your cold is gone, you shall come and stay here +until I find you something to do." + +Tom's eyes brightened. "That'll make them kinder to me," he said. +"Father told me never to show my face there again if I didn't stay with +Miss Pringle; but perhaps he won't be so angry if I tell him what you +say." + +"Deeds, not words, my boy," said Mother Crampton, drinking her last cup +of tea. "I'll step over the way, for I fancy neighbour Driver may want +a boy to help in his bakehouse." + +Tom's face fell. "I'd rather be anything than a baker's boy," he +exclaimed. + +Then checking himself, he added, "I'll do my best to be good. If only +Dick Potter will keep clear of me, I shan't mind. Miss Pringle will +tell you that I tried hard to please her, though once or twice I was +very wicked," for Tom remembered the peach and apples. + +"You must try and be good, Tom, because you serve a great King. It's +no use for you to think that you'll be different if away from Dick's +influence; you must pray that strength may come to enable you to endure +temptation, as a good soldier of Christ." + +Mother Crampton had put away her last tea-cup when a tap came at her +door; the latch was lifted up, and a fresh-coloured woman with a +good-natured face looked in. + +"Good morning, Mother," she said, in a friendly, cheery voice. "I've +just stepped over to tell you that my Jack has given us up, for he's +had an offer to better himself in a gentleman's family; so if you hear +of a steady boy who'll ride our horses, and take out the vegetables, I +shall be glad. I'd rather not have a Dixtown boy, for I don't want him +to be running off home at all hours. He must sleep under the counter, +and do any odd jobs that are wanted. He's treated like one of the +family if he behaves himself. I can't stay, for there's nobody to mind +the shop." And, without adding another word, Mrs. Jones closed the door. + +Tom had risen in his excitement, and he looked very wistful. "Oh, +Mother Crampton, do you think she'd have me? I will try so hard to +please her, she's so different from Miss Pringle," he said. + +"It really does seem a lucky thing, and, yet there's no such thing as +luck, Tom," replied the old woman, thoughtfully. "I believe, my dear, +it's God helping you. I'll go and say a word for you at once." + +The boy sat in great anxiety, and thought Mother Crampton would never +come back. She and her opposite neighbour were on very friendly terms. +Mrs. Jones was a young married woman with two children. Her husband +kept a greengrocer's shop, and had six bathing machines besides. +She superintended the shop in the morning when the bathing season +commenced, while Mr. Jones and his boy were attending to the bathers. +They had a good vegetable and fruit garden one mile out of Dixtown, +but they lived over the shop. They were kind-hearted, honest, and +hard-working people, who highly appreciated good Mother Crampton. + +The dame did not find it very difficult to induce Mrs. Jones to give +Tom a trial, though she told her much of his past history. + +"I'd take him to please you," said the greengrocer's wife; "send him +over here at one o'clock, husband will be at home then." + +Tom almost forgot his illness and misery when Mother Crampton returned +with such good news. He brushed his hair, and washed his hands, and +waited anxiously for one o'clock to strike. + +Mr. Jones was pleased with him, he appeared so desirous of finding a +situation, and answered the questions he was asked in a straightforward +manner; so he was engaged to come for a month on trial, at the rate of +three shillings a week, and his food and lodging. + +It seemed like a fortune to Tom. + +"Mind, boy," said Mr. Jones as he was leaving, "I won't have +yesterday's behaviour repeated. Mother Crampton has told my missus all +about it. If you play truant, I'll turn you out neck and crop—no Sunday +gadding here. We treat our boy well, and expect him to attend church, +and walk out with us and the children on fine afternoons. You may go +over and see Mother Crampton sometimes; and I'll give you a holiday +home from Saturday until Monday once in six months." + +Tom could only keep reiterating, "Thank you, sir," and pulling the +front lock of big hair, until it was a wonder he did not pull it out. + +"When shall I be wanted?" he asked. + +"Let's see—Jack goes on Monday. Come a week to-morrow," answered Mr. +Jones. + +"O Mother Crampton! How can I thank you enough?" said Tom, rushing into +the room. "I'm engaged, and I'm going to get three shillings a week. +Oh, how jolly! How jolly!" + +"You seem wonderful better," said Mrs. Gillies, whom Tom had not +perceived in his excitement. + +[Illustration: TOM RUNNING INTO OLD MOTHER CRAMPTON'S SHOP.] + +"Yes, I am, mother, for I'm so happy. Only think—I'm to have three +shillings a week. Father won't be angry to see me." And he clapped his +hands and danced about with pleasure. + +Mother Crampton found an opportunity of whispering in his ear before he +left, "My boy, if you wish to show your gratitude to me, you will begin +to pray." + +"I promise you I will," replied Tom; and so they parted. + + +"Hallo! How is it you're back, like a bad penny?" Will, who was waiting +at the harbour, asked his brother. + +"I'm only come for a holiday," said Tom, looking very red. + +"Has Miss Pringle been so handsome as to let you off so soon?" + +"Tom isn't going back to Miss Pringle," answered Mrs. Gillies. "He's +going to a place where he'll get good victuals and three shillings a +week." + +Mother Crampton had entreated her not to scold Tom. + +"Make the best of it," she said. "The boy has had a bad companion in +Dick Potter; let us see what we can do by treating him as if he were +not worse than others. I like him with all his faults, and I mean to be +his friend." + +Tom's appearance at home caused some excitement; but after his father +had heard his wife's version of the story, and his three elder brothers +had put their questions, he was allowed to remain in peace, and +thoroughly enjoyed the tea and fish, of which the whole family partook. +He was telling them about his life with Miss Pringle, when three taps +came at the door which made his blood run cold, for they told him that +grandmother was there. + +She looked annoyed to see him. "Just as I expected," she said, +contemptuously. "You'll never stay anywhere. You're a bad, worthless +boy." + +"Gently, gently, granny," said Mrs. Gillies. "Tom has come home for a +holiday. He's bettered himself, and is going to live with Mr. Jones, +the green-grocer, now." + +"Oh, that's it, is it? Well, it doesn't matter to me where he goes, so +that he isn't idling about the island with Dick Potter. I called to see +if one of the boys would come over to-morrow morning. I've had a willow +given to me for poor Tabby's grave—" and here the old woman's voice +trembled a little—"and I want it planted, and the fuchsia that's there +now put in the garden." + +"I'll come in the evening," said Will, "but I shan't have time in the +morning. We go away fishing first thing." + +"I daresay the evening will do just as well," replied granny, "for +the tree has a good root; it won't die if it's left out of the ground +another day." + +"May I come to you in the morning?" Tom ventured to say. "I can dig as +well as the boys." + +"'You!'" exclaimed old Mrs. Gillies, in a voice that stung Tom. "As +if I should ask you to do anything for me. Will, do not forget your +promise. Good-bye all." + +"Granny will never like you, Tom, that's quite certain," remarked +Harry, rising from the table as he spoke. "Come, Will, we must see to +our nets, and get ready for to-morrow." + +Tom was miserable again. He followed his mother into the kitchen, and +said, "I'll go to bed, for I feel as if I were beginning to shiver +again." + +"I would if I were you," she answered, kindly. "A long night will do +you a deal of good." + +Tom prayed his first earnest prayer before he undressed. The words he +said were somewhat rambling, but they came from his heart. Then he +crept into his corner of the room, and was soon so fast asleep, that he +did not hear his little brothers come to bed. + +The next morning he felt much better, and could not resist a great +desire that possessed him to see Tabby's grave; yet he did not wish to +meet his grandmother. + +He walked along the shore so as not to be seen approaching by her, +and clambered up the cliff close to the door of the cottage; but his +precautions availed nothing, for granny caught sight of him, and called +out, "What are you prowling about here for, Tom? You never do any one +credit. It shows how bad you are, for Miss Pringle to send you away and +take Dick in your place." + +"What do you mean?" asked Tom in astonishment. "Who told you Dick was +going to live with Miss Pringle?" + +"He told me so himself last night. I met him on my way home after I'd +seen you. He came over to fetch his clothes. I heard a few things about +you from him." + +"I'll fight him for telling lies. I know he's played me false," said +Tom; and, without waiting to think, he ran off to find his former +friend. + +Mrs. Potter was busy washing when Tom entered her cottage, and asked, +in a very unceremonious manner, "Where's Dick?" + +"Gone to his new situation. How was it you didn't suit Miss Pringle, +Tom?" + +"I did suit her until Dick interfered," replied the lad, more quietly, +for Mrs. Potter had asked the question very kindly. + +"I hope you will soon find another place." + +"I've got one already," replied Tom, and his face cleared. "I'm glad +not to go back and live with Miss Pringle; but I hate to be so badly +treated as Dick's treated me." + +Mrs. Potter would have probably encouraged Tom to give his version of +the story had she not been very busy and really intensely relieved to +think that her stepson had gone to live a little distance off. + +Tom had so much food for thought, he forgot all about his desire to see +Tabby's grave, and sat on a rock wondering how ever Dick managed to +ingratiate himself into Miss Pringle's good graces. + +"If I find he's played me false, I'll fight him, that I will," he said, +aloud. + +"And tie another knot," Tom seemed to hear. + +"No, I won't do that," he said, as if answering some one who spoke. +"I'll pray instead. After all, I've got the best of the bargain, and +I know I don't deserve it. How I wish I was good, like Miss Annie and +Mother Crampton." + +When Tom returned home, he found his sister alone, for the little ones +were at school, and his mother gone to Dixtown. They had a long talk +together, and Sally was deeply interested in all that he told her about +his new friends; he read to her the chapter from "Come to Jesus," +entitled, "Ye who are Young, Come," and she said she should remember +the words about tying fresh knots. + +"I'll buy you a book like mine, Sally," said Tom, "as soon as I get my +first wages, and I mean to buy myself a Bible. Have you got one?" + +"Yes, of course I have; don't you remember I had it for a prize from +Mr. Pender while I was at school." + +Mrs. Gillies returned from Dixtown late in the afternoon, and found +Tom sitting quietly at home, telling his little brothers and sisters a +story. + +"What do you say to Dick having gone to live with Miss Pringle?" she +asked him. + +"He's played me false, mother; but, after all, he's done me good. Have +you spoken to him?" + +"Certainly I have. He looks very meek indeed; and Miss Pringle says she +never had such a boy; but new brooms sweep clean. Dick has only been +tried for a few hours. He sent his love to you." + +"I'd rather not have it. Did you tell him, mother, I'd got another +situation?" + +"Yes; I couldn't help it." + +"What did he say?" + +"Not much; but I thought he looked rather vexed when he heard you were +to have three shillings a week." + +"I'm off to grandmother, Tom," said Will, looking in at the door. "You +may as well come and help me." + +Tom was glad to accompany his brother, though granny scowled when she +saw him. + +"I want his help," explained Will. + +"Oh, very well," she replied, "then I've nothing more to say. I know +it seems nonsense to you for me to make all this fuss about a cat's +grave," she continued, when Will began removing the shells; "but I +loved Tabby so much. I declare I looked for her to meet me just as your +mother looks out for you. A lone woman takes to dumb animals. I never +returned home without wondering if she was watching for me to come." + +"Why don't you get another, granny?" asked Will. + +"I'd rather not. I don't want to love another as I loved poor Tabby." + +Tom felt very guilty, and was thoroughly glad when all was in order +again. He applied himself to place the shells with such exactness that +he won thanks from grandmother on leaving. + +"I can't have the big knot I tied when I killed Tabby for ever on my +shoulders," he thought, when he was alone. "I'll make up my mind to +buy grandmother a handsome kitten with my first wages, and it shall +have a red collar. I'll tell Mother Crampton, that I will, and ask her +opinion. Perhaps she'll advise me to confess to granny how wicked I +have been; but I don't know how I ever shall, for she downright hates +me now." + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +QUITE BLIND. + +WHILE the events we have narrated in the last two chapters occurred, +Annie Newton was passing through deep waters. Her father's health, as +we know, had been declining for some time, and his eyesight was sorely +affected. She would have entered into the question of Tom's dismissal +with more earnestness, had she been differently situated; but on the +very Monday when Dick acted so falsely, Mr. Newton awoke to blindness. + +"Annie, child," he called from his bed, "I can't see this morning." + +The young girl was quickly at his side. "What is the matter, papa?" she +asked, for she only heard the accents of pain, but did not distinguish +the words. + +"I'm blind—I can't see you, darling." + +"Perhaps you will be better presently, papa," she replied. "I will get +breakfast ready, and fetch you some warm water, and you shall bathe +your eyes." + +She was soon on her way down-stairs, but found, to her discomfort, that +the kitchen fire was only just lighted, and that Miss Pringle was very +cross. + +"You must wait for your water, miss," she said. "It's too bad of Tom +Gillies to treat me like this. He's sent for his clothes, and won't +come back again." + +Annie was so pre-occupied that she scarcely noticed Miss Pringle's +remark about Tom, but answered, "Papa is so ill this morning that I +want to get him some breakfast at once." + +"The water will boil in five minutes. You must be patient, Miss Annie." + +"I suppose I must; but I am really very much troubled, Miss Pringle. I +shall return to papa, and come back again for my water." + +"She's only a child in behaviour, and ought to know better than be +so full of her own affairs, and never think of my worries," said the +spinster to herself. "I wonder if that new boy will suit me. It's +intensely vexing, to be sure, to be left in this manner by Tom. I +really began to like him." + +And Miss Pringle vented her spleen on the chairs and tables, and +knocked and thumped her furniture, and banged the doors, and poked the +fire noisily. She was glad to see Dick; and he set to work so heartily +that he soon made up for lost time. + +When Annie came down the second time, he was receiving orders from +his mistress. She could not help noticing his face—it struck her as +so opposite to Tom's; but she asked no questions then, for her father +appeared so prostrate, she scarcely liked to leave him for a few +minutes. + +He seemed better able to talk after he had taken a cup of tea, and +called her to his side. + +"I'm quite blind, Annie, darling," he murmured. "Quite blind; it's come +at last. God help you!" And he sobbed, as only a man can sob when hope +dies out for the moment, and he thinks of those whose lives depend on +his exertions for support. + +Annie came to her father's side. "Papa, dear, God will help us—we shall +not be left," she said. + +"I'm so disappointed, child. I felt so much better yesterday, and yet I +knew it must come at last. How I shall miss the blue sky and the fields +and trees. But I must not forget; there is a land beyond, where I shall +see again." + +"Yes, dear father, try and think of that land, and then you will have +strength to bear anything that comes." + +"Draw nearer to me, Annie; put your face between my hands; let me know +your features by feeling them. I did so love to look at you." + +"I will try very hard to be eyes to you, papa. I will take you out, and +tell you about everything I see. I can pick up the shells we require +quite well now." + +"Ah! That is another trouble, dearest. We have only two more boxes to +sell." + +"But I can arrange others, papa. I know how to find all the shells, and +I can make the boxes. I shall always keep one as a pattern. We will go +to Mother Crampton presently, and take her a finished box." + +"Not to-day, dearest. I am too ill to leave the house." + +"Then I shall have time to complete a second this afternoon." + +The invalid sighed deeply, and his daughter left him for awhile to put +the rooms in order. Then she sat down by his side and arranged the +shells, chatting about indifferent things, and trying her best to cheer +him. At the same time, she felt a dull pain oppressing her, when she +pictured to herself her father depending on her efforts for support. + +When she was shut into her tiny room at night, she wept bitterly. So +soon as her tears were spent, she kneeled in prayer, and told out all +her fears and hopes to her Father in Heaven, until she was quite calm +and trustful again. + +"Why should I doubt God?" she asked herself. "He fed His people in the +wilderness, and He has fed us many times." + + +Mr. Newton was less depressed next morning. "I am not so weak in body, +Annie," he said, when she asked him how he had passed the night, "and +my faith in God burns more brightly." + +"I am so very, very glad, papa!" + +"I wish you to carry two boxes to Mother Crampton this morning. Did you +finish a third yesterday?" + +"Not quite, but very nearly; it is far enough advanced to serve as a +pattern." + +Annie left the house just as Dick entered with his bundle. + +"That's my new boy, Miss," called the spinster from the shop. + +The young girl bent her head to Dick, but did not speak. She walked +quickly to Mother Crampton's, for she longed to tell her best friend +about her father. + +She met with the heartfelt sympathy she so much needed; and, at the +same time, she was braced up to endure her trouble. + +"It is good thing you are old enough to help your father," said the +dame; "there is mercy in that. Cheer up, deary; your invalid will grow +reconciled to his blindness as time goes on. God gives more of Himself +when He takes away outside props. He's been thinking of you already. +I sold a box of shells last evening, and I have an order for one more +at ten shillings, and two more at a guinea each. The gentleman who +requires them wants you to have them ready in a month, as they are for +birthday presents." + +Annie felt greatly comforted, and at last grew cheerful, for she was +encouraged to depend on her own exertions, and to have faith in God; +added to this, the order for the three boxes would bring in enough +money for several weeks' food and lodging. By degrees, she and Mother +Crampton conversed on other topics, and Tom was not forgotten among +them. + +"I know that I shall find he's been more sinned against than sinning," +remarked the dame. "I don't mean that he ought to have broken God's +day, but I'm sure Dick Potter has been his worst enemy, and led him +into evil." + +"Miss Pringle has a new boy," said Annie; "I saw him just now; but he +has not a pleasant face." + +"She has soon found a successor to Tom, then. I am very partial to that +lad, and am glad that he is going to live opposite, and with such good +people as Mr. and Mrs. Jones." + +"I suppose you managed to secure the situation for him? You are always +lending a helping hand, Mother Crampton. I am not the only one who has +to thank you for kindnesses. Now, I am going back to persuade papa to +take a walk with me, and I intend to be very bright, and not allow +myself to think how desolate I shall feel when I have to pick up shells +alone, and realise that papa will never accompany me again." + +"Be a brave little maiden, even if sad thoughts force themselves on +you. Should Tom Gillies turn out as well as I expect he will, I'm sure +he will be glad to help you; and I'm quite sure Mr. Jones will grant +him an occasional half-holiday for the purpose." + +"That is a famous idea," said Annie. "Mrs. Jones has always been very +kind to me, and I shall not mind asking a favour of her." + +In five minutes, Annie was home and standing by the invalid's side. +"Capital news, Papa," she said; then, noticing the traces of tears, she +continued, in an anxious tone, "you have been crying, father; oh do +not, please, do not fret. I have an order for three more boxes. Now, +come out for a walk—the air will refresh you." And she put his hat on +and led him gently to the door and down the stairs. + +Miss Pringle brushed past them in the passage. + +Mr. Newton drew back. "Did I hurt you," he asked. "I am quite blind +now." + +"No—nothing to speak of," she replied, hastily. + +They walked slowly down the narrow pathway from the top of the cliff to +the sands, Annie going first and holding her father's hand. + +"How nicely you manage, papa," she said, "and how beautiful the air is; +already you are better. We will sit down, while I tell you how every +point looks, and which part is in shadow." She prattled on until Mr. +Newton was beguiled into asking questions, and forgot himself and his +sorrow for awhile. + +They remained out for more than an hour before he expressed a wish +to return. Their simple dinner over, Annie arranged her shells. She +was thus employed when a step was heard on the stairs, and Miss +Pringle tapped at the door. A visit from her never boded any good, but +generally heralded some unpleasantness. + +"I came to say, I'm sorry you've gone blind, Mr. Newton," she began. +"I'm sorry for two reasons—one for yourself, and the other because I'm +obliged to give you notice, that if my rent isn't paid regularly, I +can't keep you. I don't know how you'll live now, and I'm too poor to +let my rooms for nothing. I thought it was better to speak plainly and +come to some understanding." + +Mr. Newton looked very much pained. "If I fail in paying my rent, you +may complain," he said; "but I think it would have been better for you +to have waited until such was the case. My daughter can fit up the +boxes of shells almost as well as I can, and we have several orders to +execute. More I cannot say." + +Annie's face flushed crimson, and she felt inclined to answer, "You +cruel, unkind woman, how dare you behave thus?" But she restrained +herself, and only replied, "I shall manage the rent, Miss Pringle; you +may trust me." + +"Very well, miss, that's enough; but I must be just to myself and look +after my own interests, for I'm a lone woman," and the spinster left +the room. + +"Never mind her, papa!" exclaimed Annie. "We shall be as well off as +before; and I know God will take care of us. I only wish we could +change our lodging." + +"Better not, child; we know all the disagreeables we have to put up +with here." + +"Miss Pringle is not a happy woman, and she is really very hard by +nature, I do believe. How unkindly she behaves to her boys! I wonder if +the new one she has now is the Dick Potter that Mother Crampton says +has done so much harm, and been such a bad friend to Tom Gillies." + +"As if there were not two boys of the same name at Dixtown." + +"Still, papa, it is odd that he happens to be called Dick," persisted +Annie. + +Mr. Newton smiled at his daughter, and the conversation ended here. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +TOM'S FIRST WAGES. + +AT the close of Dick's first week with Miss Pringle, he had won a high +place in her opinion; but not so with Annie or her father, who were +duly informed by Mother Crampton of the cowardly part he had acted +towards Tom. + +Mr. Newton ventured to tell Miss Pringle she had done wrong when she +engaged Dick, which made her extremely angry, and very insolent to her +lodger, so sure was she that she had found a treasure. + +Dick had to gain an end, and was resolved to get possession of the +money he had seen counted almost every night since he came to live with +Miss Pringle; but his chance of appropriating it seemed very remote, +for the spinster kept her door so carefully locked. He heard her +enlarge on her poverty, and knew her words were false; and he began to +class her with himself, and to think he had a right to deceive her, as +she in her turn was deceiving others; so he stole her fruit and sweets, +and managed to thieve them so cleverly that she was not aware of the +fact. If he exceeded his usual number of drops, he put more flour +into the bottles, and gave short measure to the children who came to +the shop to spend their halfpennies; and he never carried apples out +without taking several of the best, nor sold peaches without adding +something to the price his mistress asked. + +It was on the first Sunday afternoon which Tom spent in Mr. Jones' +service that he met Dick; but before we describe the interview, we must +tell how Tom prospered. + +His holiday was a happy one, and he entered on his new situation with +a light and glad heart. Mr. Jones received him kindly, and so did his +wife. He passed his days thus:—He rose before five o'clock, and so soon +as he was dressed, he groomed and harnessed the old horse Tippler; then +he accompanied his master to the garden and helped him to cut fresh +vegetables and gather fruit. By half-past six they were back again, in +order to be ready to drive the machines down to the sea. Later on, Tom +returned to the shop, which he cleaned out, or carried the vegetables +round. + +In the evening, he took the children on the sands. Willy, the eldest, +was five, and he and Tom soon became fast friends. He was carrying +him when he met Dick; his master and mistress were sitting on a rock +with the baby a little distance off. Tom did not see his former friend +approaching, but when he heard the voice he knew so well, he turned +abruptly away. + +Dick was not to be shaken off easily. "Don't turn away, Tom, like +that," he whined; "think how many years we've been friends." + +"But we ain't friends now, and some day I mean to tell Miss Pringle the +whole truth." + +Dick would have liked to have knocked Tom down, but such behaviour +would, he knew, damage his cause, so he only whimpered, "Don't be hard +on me; I'm sure you've nothing to complain of; and getting a something +every week, and I nothing; why I really did you a good turn." + +"But you didn't mean to. If Mother Crampton hadn't helped me, I might +have gone my own way to the bad." + +"Well, anyhow, you've tumbled on your legs, Tom, so do be friends. +You'll come and see me sometimes, and I'll try to run in and look at +you. I'm very lonely, and we used to be so fond of one another." + +"Master allows no visitors, and I know Miss Pringle doesn't; and I'm +very busy from morning till night; there's plenty for me to do," +replied Tom; "we shall meet out sometimes." + +"You're a lucky fellow to fall in with such nice people," replied Dick, +"and yet, on the whole, Miss Pringle doesn't behave badly to me. I went +to church with her this morning. I suppose she's not a rich woman, Tom?" + +"No, she can't be, or she wouldn't be always saying she was poor; but +she does a fair business, and, I'm sure, allows nothing to be wasted. I +suppose her profits ain't large." + +"Tom!" called his master at this moment. "We're moving." + +The lad responded to the call with a hasty "good-bye," to his former +companion. + +"I hate him," snarled Dick, walking slowly away in the opposite +direction. + +That evening, Tom went to see Mother Crampton, who was unwell. He heard +from her about Mr. Newton's blindness, and determined to try and help +Annie, with his master's permission, to find the shells she needed for +her boxes. They spoke of Dick, and the old lady warned him against +keeping up any acquaintance with his former companion. + +"I never mean to again," said Tom, with great self-assurance. "I'm not +to be caught so easily as I used to be." + +"Don't be too positive," answered the dame; and then she added so many +kind and loving words about God being the only refuge from temptation, +and the need of getting daily strength for daily need, by prayer, +that Tom's self-assurance vanished, and he told her about killing +grandmother's cat, and that he intended to buy a new kitten for her, +which was to have a red collar. + +"But you must tell your grandmother why you give her the present." + +"That's just what I expected you would say; but it will be hard work." + +"Not so hard as losing a cat. I'm indeed grieved for your poor +grandmother; lone people can't help loving dumb creatures very much." + +"But I did not mean to kill Tabby." + +"Perhaps not; but you meant to do something to pay off old scores +according to your own confession. What else have you done wrong in, +Tom?" + +"I stole a peach from Miss Pringle, and a good many apples, and let +Dick in two nights. I do so wish I'd never done any of these wicked +things; for now I know better, I seem to have tied knots in all +directions, and I can't tell whenever they'll be untied. If I hadn't +them to weigh me down, how thankful I should be." + +"It's not too late to mend. You may untie the most difficult knots if +you will, by casting all your care on God, and asking that His Spirit +may teach you: tell grandmother the whole truth when you give her a new +pet, and wait for an opportunity of helping Miss Pringle, and then say +boldly to her why you wish to render her some service." + +"Even tell her about Dick Potter." + +"Yes, even that when the right time comes." + +Tom thought for a few moments ere he answered. "I really will conquer +myself in the way you've advised, Mother Crampton. I'll go on praying." + +"Then in the end, you will conquer, so I'm not afraid. But I should be +very sad if I felt you were going to try and reform yourself in your +own strength." + +"Thank you for all you've said," remarked Tom, when they had talked in +the same strain for another half hour. "You look tired, so I'll be off. +I shall run up to the Castle and then home." + +Tom found two friends on the castle-hill—Mr. Newton and his daughter. +As they were sitting on one of the wooden benches, he ventured to +approach them. + +"Here is Tom Gillies," said Annie to her father. + +"Ask him to come and tell me how he is getting on." + +Tom took the seat next to Mr. Newton, and related the history +of himself in his bluff, honest way; he also ventured to ask in +conclusion, "May I do anything for you, sir? I ain't got much time +to spare; but while the mornings are so light, I can be up first +thing—three o'clock isn't too soon for me." + +Mr. Newton was touched. "I thank you, Tom," he answered. "If my +daughter goes to pick up shells, you will be very useful; but I think I +must ask your master to grant you a half-holiday." + +"I'm sure he will!" exclaimed the boy. "I shall be proud to help Miss +Annie. I'll work off hours for master, to make up." + +"You're a kind-hearted lad," said Mr. Newton, adding, with a deep sigh, +"I am quite blind now, and that makes me so helpless about the shells. +It's hard work, but there is a good God over us all: He will care for +me and my child." + +Annie's eyes filled. "Don't think of me, father," she said, with an +effort to be cheerful; "remember I am very clever, and Mother Crampton +manages to sell the boxes as quickly as I fill them." + +"Bless you, my little daughter," said her father, tenderly. "Tom," he +added, earnestly, "serve God while you are young, and while you have +life and health. If I had not found rest in believing, I do not know +how I should have endured my affliction. Now, Annie, let us be moving." + +Tom accompanied his friends down the castle-hill, and then went +directly home. + + +The days passed smoothly along, until the end of the first month, when +Mr. Jones paid Tom his wages. The boy felt very rich—twelve shillings +seemed an inexhaustable mine of wealth. He had laid it out many times +before he actually spent it. First, he agreed to give two shillings for +a kitten which had one of the finest tails ever seen, and two shillings +for a new red collar for Pussy. Then he had to purchase presents for +Sally and his younger brothers and sisters. + +"I wish I could manage to get a holiday from Saturday until Sunday +night, or Monday morning first thing," thought Tom. "I'd sooner pay a +shilling to get back, if Harry or Will ain't coming over. It's a deal +of money, but I want to settle up with grandmother, besides the kitten +and collar will be waiting. I'll ask master if I may go, and tell him +I shan't want a holiday in six months' time, if I may have one on +Saturday." + +On Wednesday morning Tom preferred his request, as he and Mr. Jones +drove to the market garden. He had carried his wages over to Mother +Crampton on the previous evening, and asked her to keep his money until +he knew whether he could be spared on Saturday. + +"Please, sir, I'm going to ask you a great favour. May I go home on +Saturday until Sunday night or Monday morning?" + +"What! Home-sick, Tom?" + +"No, master—not exactly." + +"Then I suppose you want to take your first earnings to your mother? +But no, it can't be that either, when Mrs. Gillies is so often over +here. Well, what is it?" + +"It's a great secret, sir, between me and Mother Crampton; but I'll +tell you if you promise to keep it." + +"Yes, I will promise." + +"I've seen a beautiful cat that I've said I'll buy for grandmother, and +I've ordered a red collar, and I want to take it to her." + +"Right, boy. You're good to remember the aged. Yes, you may go." + +Tom thought for the first moment that he would not undeceive his +master; then he felt that if he left Mr. Jones in ignorance of the +truth, he would be more troubled than if he told him everything—why +he bought the kitten, and why he wished to see his grandmother. His +anxiety to untie old knots and to tie no new ones made him stammer out, +"I don't deserve to be praised, sir, for I wronged grandmother; only I +didn't mean to do what I did." + +And here he stopped and looked so uncomfortable, that Mr. Jones said, +by way of encouragement— + +"I should like to hear your story, Tom, if you can trust me. I've had +troubles and temptations in my time, so perhaps I can help you." + +Mr. Jones was as simple and true in his religions beliefs as in his +dealings with men. He tried to be a Christian at all times; therefore +he was in a position to be a wise and efficient help to Tom at this +stage of his life's history. So the lad spoke openly to his master +about the past, nor did he conceal the struggle he had with himself +before he resolved to confess his wrong-doing to grandmother when he +gave her the kitten. + +"You'd but half do your work if you left your grandmother in ignorance +of the reason why you gave her a new cat. You shall have a holiday, +and I'll lend you that nice covered basket of mine to carry pussy in. +I say, go on and prosper. You shall leave on Saturday afternoon and +return on Monday; and if your brother's boat isn't coming, why, I'll go +shares in hiring one to bring you back." + +"Oh, thank you—thank you, sir. Now I am indeed happy. If only +grandmother isn't very angry and will forgive me, I shall be the +jolliest fellow living." + +"You must bear the old lady's anger, my boy; remember you deserve it. +You took her child when you killed her Tabby, and it's to be expected +that she'll feel indignant when she learns the truth. However, there's +one cure—that is in prayer. Pray without ceasing that all may be well, +and that her heart may be softened toward you." + +Tom was busy that week making his purchases. A third of this month's +wages were consumed by grandmother's present. The Bible he bought for +himself cost one shilling and sixpence; a yard of ribbon for Sally, +and the promised copy of "Come to Jesus," took another shilling and +penny; two shillings he reserved for his mother, who undertook to wash +and mend ins clothes at the rate of sixpence a week; ten pennies were +devoted to five boxes of toys for his younger brothers and sisters; and +the balance that remained, he handed back to Mother Crampton. + +Tom saw his brother Will on Friday, who said he would be in Dixtown +on the morrow, and expected to leave the pier at four o'clock in the +afternoon for Norton Island, and that he was obliged to come in again +on Monday at six o'clock; so Tom's difficulties in this respect were +removed, and, in fact, all seemed to prosper for his proposed excursion. + + +Mrs. Gillies crossed with her sons on Saturday. The basket and parcel +Tom carried gave rise to many questions, and he had to acknowledge that +he had been laying out some of his month's wages in presents. + +"I hope you've not been spending your money foolishly," said his mother. + +"No, not foolishly," answered Tom. "I wanted to buy these things; and +from this time I mean to save." + +Mrs. Gillies did not reprove Tom further. She had received a good +character of him from Mr. Jones; and as he handed her two shillings, +she merely added a few general remarks on the duty of being economical. + +Tom, as may be supposed, had a hearty welcome at home. His young +brothers and sisters crowded round him, and were so delighted with +their presents that he felt quite a hero among them. Of course, they +wanted to know what the basket contained; and when Tom showed the +kitten, the young ones clapped their hands with delight. Pussy seemed +in no wise frightened at so many eyes peeping into her basket; she +shook herself, and stepped from it quite quietly, to lap some milk out +of a saucer. + +"Is it to stay here, Tom?" questioned one of his little sisters. + +"No; it's for grandmother," he answered. + +"Shall I go with you when you take it to her?" asked Sally. + +"I'd rather go alone," he replied. + +Directly after tea Tom started off, basket in hand. It was nearly seven +o'clock when he reached grandmother's cottage; and as September was far +advanced, the evenings were beginning to draw in. Still there was light +enough to see pussy, and Tom thought it was better to get over his +interview at once rather than wait until the following day. + +He tapped softly at the door. Grandmother opened it, and started back. + +"You, Tom!" she said. "Ay, I remember they told me you were coming. I'm +glad to hear a better account of you. Step in." + +Grandmother had only once before spoken as civilly to Tom, and he felt +very thankful that she was so inclined to be pleasant. He had carried +out his master's and Mother Crampton's advice, and there seemed an +answer to his prayers at first starting. + +"I'm getting on nicely," he answered, sitting on a wooden stool close +to grandmother, and clearing his throat, which felt very husky. "And, +you know, I have wages now; so I've spent part of my first month's +money in buying you a present." + +"Bought me a present! It's something quite new for me to have one; +they're rare things, Tom." And again granny spoke kindly. + +The boy opened his basket, and, lifting the kitten out, placed her +gently in the old woman's lap. Pussy, as if she knew what would please +her new mistress best, curled herself round, and lay still, purring and +moving her tail gently up and down. + +"What a beauty!" exclaimed grandmother. "Is this for me, Tom? It's +handsomer than Tabby, I declare. Oh, how happy you've made me! And I +don't deserve it, for I've been so unkind to you." + +"Don't say that, grandmother; it's I who have been unkind to you. But I +didn't mean it; I really didn't mean to kill your old Tabby." + +"Then you killed her after all?" + +"Yes, grandmother; but this is how it was. You must listen while I tell +you everything." + +And Tom gave a full description of how it all happened, that he was +very angry when his grandmother declared she would tell tales of him +and get him punished, and that seeing Tabby suggested the wicked +thought, that if he were thrashed, he would be thrashed for something. + +"And yet I hardly know what I wanted, grandmother," he added, "for +I'm sure I didn't want Tabby to go mad or be killed, but I think I +hoped something would come about that would pain you, because you were +so cross with me. I've been so miserable ever since. Oh, do say you +forgive me; please do." + +"Forgive you, Tom! Yes, that I will; but I need your forgiveness as +much as you need mine. It was cruel of you to treat Tabby as you did, +but I'd no business to be so hard upon you. I know I'm a cross-grained +old woman, but I'll try and turn over a new leaf. To think of your +spending your money on a new cat, and buying such a smart collar too. +I'm so pleased; and, what's more, I hope I've learnt a lesson from you +that will do me good as long as I live." + +Tom did not leave his grandmother until after eight. He told her many +things connected with his new life, and a great deal about Mr. Newton +and his daughter. When they parted, she kissed him, and said, "Never +let us speak of the past again, and let no one know who killed Tabby. +Tell your father that we mean to be good friends for the future. + +"Come and see me to-morrow, and hear how my new Tabby—for she shall +have the same name as my old pet—likes her quarters." + +"I'll come," answered Tom. "I'm going to the service in the afternoon, +for, notice was given to the children at school this morning that a +friend of Mr. Pender's would preach. Will you come too, grandmother?" + +"I've never been yet." + +"The more reason you should begin. Mr. Jones is very particular how I +spend my Sunday, and Mother Crampton says we ought to keep God's day +holy. I like going to church twice now; I've only missed one evening +since I've been at my new situation; and that was when Mother Crampton +was ill." + +"I tell you what I'll do. If you come and fetch me, I'll go with you to +the schoolroom to-morrow. I must lock Tabby in, as she's strange here," +said granny. + +"I'll come in good time for the service," answered Tom, as he left the +cottage. + +Sunday morning rose without a cloud. Tom was up early, and bathed. +Afterwards he took the little ones for a walk, and read to them out +of his new Bible. Dinner was at twelve, and at half-past two the bell +began to ring for the afternoon service. + +Most of the cottagers went to the schoolroom, for Mr. Pender told his +men he hoped they would all attend. So some went out of curiosity, +others to please their master, and a few because they loved to hear +about their Saviour. + +"Tom, I shan't forget what I've heard in a hurry," said grandmother, +as they walked home after the service. "It's an easy text to +remember—'Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die?' And he looks close on +death himself. What a deal I've got to learn, according to him. I'm +wrong altogether." + +"The gentleman said in grander words just what Mother Crampton told +me," answered Tom, "that every one who won't come to Christ will die in +their sins. Oh, grandmother, I've been trying so hard to believe and +learn of Jesus in the last few weeks." + +"And I'll try too, Tom. You must know there was a time in my life when +my heart was softer, but it's grown hard with years and living alone; +and for a long time I've given up praying to God to make it soft again; +but now I'll begin to pray." + +Tom accompanied his grandmother home, to see how pussy had conducted +herself ill their absence, and she asked him to stay tea. + +"I'd like to," he replied, "only Sally will be disappointed if I don't +go home." + +"Let her come here; I shall like to have her." + +Tom went to fetch his sister. Sally was greatly surprised when he gave +his invitation, but very glad to accept it. + +After a cosy tea drinking, grandmother asked Tom to read her a chapter +from the Bible. He complied with her request, and, later on, read to +her from "Come to Jesus;" first about tying and untying knots, and then +the words addressed to the aged. When he ended, granny was weeping. + +"It means me," she sobbed. "I've not heeded the warnings God has given +me. I've got white hair and wrinkled features, and I've not a moment to +lose, for I'm an old woman; but, Tom, I'll come to Jesus at once, for +He alone can save." + +"I've untied a big knot since yesterday," thought Tom, ere he fell into +a sound sleep and dreamed sweet dreams. + +But no sleep and no bright dreams came to Miss Pringle on that Sunday +night, nor to Mr. Newton nor his daughter Annie. The reason why we must +reserve for another chapter. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE ACCIDENT. + +DICK was no nearer the wished-for money on that Saturday afternoon when +Tom went home, nor did he see any chance of clutching the prize. He was +growing weary of controlling himself, and vexed and annoyed that his +former friend avoided him; for when they met, Tom passed on with a few +civil words of greeting, but refused to make an appointment to walk out. + +Miss Pringle had not been feeling quite so well of late—not that much +ailed her—but she was very tired after her day's work and extremely +cross. She was sensible, too, that it cost her a greater effort than +was usual to lift her gold up and down from the cupboard shelf; and +determined to change some of her hardly-earned sovereigns into crisp +bank-notes. + +On the Sunday night which brought such pleasant dreams to Tom, she +retired to her room at the usual hour. Dick did not watch his mistress +count her money quite so regularly as in the first fortnight, for he +knew the process so well. He was falling asleep without having first +looked through the keyhole, and was startled by hearing a loud crash +overhead. He jumped up and listened, for he fancied it was followed by +a low moan. + +Mr. Newton and his daughter Annie, who were about to separate for the +night, heard the noise too, and Annie rushed to the door and opened it, +when she heard the words, "Help me." + +"Can you let me in?" she asked. + +"No; I'm too much hurt," groaned Miss Pringle, with great difficulty. + +"We must force the door," said Mr. Newton. "Can you see through the +keyhole, Annie?" + +"Yes, quite well. Miss Pringle is lying on the floor half in her +cupboard. She must have fallen." + +"You had better call Dick." + +Just at this moment the boy joined them. But the united efforts of the +three made no impression on the door, and Dick was sent to fetch a +locksmith. + +At last, admittance was gained. A stool with a broken leg revealed how +the accident had happened. + +Miss Pringle was quite unconscious. With the help of the locksmith, +they plead her on her bed; for Mr. Newton's blindness prevented him +from taking an active part. + +"Now run for a doctor, Dick," said Annie. "The one who lives in the +first house on the terrace is the nearest." + +It was quite half an hour before the doctor came, during which time the +young girl sat still and waited, not knowing what she ought to do. + +Though Dick's face expressed great sorrow, he was secretly rejoicing +over Miss Pringle's fall, hoping that it might in some way facilitate +his wishes, and that he would gain possession of her gold. + +"This is a sad business," said the doctor, after he had examined his +patient. "I can scarcely tell the extent of the mischief, nor whether +her arm and leg are broken or only sprained. I can do nothing until +to-morrow morning, the limbs are swelling so rapidly. Has she a friend +who can sit up with her? She must not be left." + +"I do not think she has a single friend or relation in the world," +replied Annie. + +"Poor thing! She is to be pitied. I have heard she is very eccentric; +but having lived so short a time in this neighbourhood, I am but little +acquainted with its inhabitants." + +"I will remain with her," said Annie. "I hope in the morning she will +be well enough to say what she wishes to be done; and her boy is here +to take any message that is necessary." + +"That is sufficient. You had better not attempt to move her without +help. Give her some drops that I will send you at once. Her +consciousness will soon return, I hope." + +When the doctor left, he was accompanied by Dick. + +Then Annie took counsel of her father as to whether she should call in +assistance from any of the neighbours. + +"Better not, my dear," answered Mr. Newton. "Miss Pringle may turn on +us, and say we must pay, as she gave no orders. You can manage with +Dick to-night, and to-morrow morning the doctor must arrange, if she be +too ill to be consulted." + +So soon as Dick returned with the medicine, Annie persuaded her father +to go to bed, knowing that any excitement or want of rest would be +attended with bad after-consequences. + +"Call me, Dick," she said, "if you notice any change. I shall not be +long. I am going to see after papa." + +"Now is my time," thought the boy. "If I can once get the box out of +the cupboard and down-stairs, I am safe. When missus comes to herself, +it will be too late. Now or never. I shall have time to get away from +Dixtown, for she'll never say she's got money unless she's obliged; +only I must be quick." + +He assured himself that Miss Pringle was still unconscious ere he +carried a chair into the cupboard, and lifted the bandbox on to the +ground. He took out the wooden box, replaced the bandbox, and carried +the chair back, leaving the cupboard door exactly as it was before. + +"All right so far," he said to himself. "Three minutes more will finish +my business." + +Two candles were burning, so that there was light enough to see his way +clearly. He took hold of the box with a firm grip, and was moving off +with it, when Annie opened the door softly, and entered the room, while +at the same moment Miss Pringle unclosed her eyes, gave a loud shriek, +and moaned, "Oh dear, oh dear, what shall I do!" + +Annie could not have explained why she appeared at this juncture, +except that she had an uneasy feeling at leaving Dick alone with the +spinster. Seeing him box in hand, she screamed out, "Papa, papa, Dick's +stealing. Call out of the window for help." + +Her sudden coming and appeal to her father, coupled with Miss Pringle's +scream, made Dick loosen his hold of the box, which fell heavily; while +the would-be thief pushed rudely past, rushed down-stairs, and out of +the back door, as Mr. Newton called "Help, help." + +"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Wilkins, who was smoking his pipe in +front of his house. He and his wife had only just returned home from +spending the day with friends, otherwise they would have known that +something unusual had occurred next door. + +"We want you and your wife here. Annie will open the door for you," +said Mr. Newton. + +Annie could not come at that moment, for she was by Miss Pringle's +side. The sudden start she had made when she screamed, had brought on +intense pain, and she lay with closed eyes again. + +"Papa, I must have help," cried Annie. + +"Wilkins is waiting below," answered her father, sadly. + +He felt so much and almost bitterly his infirmity just then; it seemed +to come before him in an appalling form; he was so helpless to render +his child any assistance in her sore need. + +In a few minutes, Annie unfastened the front door, and admitted the +good couple. + +Mrs. Wilkins had often rendered her assistance, and was ready to help +any who were in distress. Her story was soon told. + +"You go up and see what you can do," said Mr. Wilkins to his wife, when +he had heard a few facts; "I'll search after Dick; if he's clean gone, +he may go, as you've saved the property, Miss Annie. There is no fear +of his ever troubling Miss Pringle again." + +So soon as Mrs. Wilkins entered the spinster's room, her first care +was to put the box and its contents into a place of safety. The sides +were somewhat damaged by the fall, the weight of the sovereigns having +loosened the nails. + +"This explains much to me," she said to Annie. "See, miss, the stocking +is full of money. Miss Pringle has always spoken of her poverty, and +now I understand the secret of her life. The love of getting gold has +mastered her. It's very, very sad." + +By the time that the wooden box was deposited in the cupboard, and the +broken stool removed, Mr. Wilkins tapped at the door, and said, "I +find no trace of Dick. He must have run away through the fields. I've +fastened the kitchen door; and I'll go home. The boy is no loss; I've +known him for many years, and I warned the missus here to beware when +she engaged him, and told her plainly she'd made a mistake. Good night. +You can call me if you want me." + +Annie and Mrs. Wilkins conversed in whispers until Miss Pringle was +so far restored as to be able to take the medicine prescribed by the +doctor. + +"Now try and sleep," they said. + +"Where am I? And what has happened?" asked Miss Pringle. + +Annie answered in as few words as possible, and promised to be more +explicit in the morning. + +The spinster closed her eyes wearily, and her nurses had the great +satisfaction of seeing her fall into a quiet sleep. + +The injuries which she had received were very severe. One leg was +broken, and the right arm badly sprained. It would be many weeks, even +months, before she would be able to knead her bread. She would have to +lie still, and be waited upon. + +By degrees Miss Pringle received a full account of what had transpired. +When Annie told her how nearly Dick had stolen her gold, she literally +shivered with terror, and could not be quieted until her treasure +was counted out before her, and she had assured herself that not one +sovereign was missing. + +She had many long hours of pain in the first days after her accident, +but pain of mind as well as body. She was humbled and mortified +when she realised that her secret was known, and that her lodgers +and neighbours were aware she was a false woman, and her pretended +poverty a lie invented to deceive them. Her precautions had miserably +failed; her future was dark and gloomy; her dearly cherished gold must +decrease; and what was more terrible was that she might be unable to +work again; and what then? Had she befriended Mr. Newton in his sore +need? Had she ever helped any one who was sick or in trouble? She +moaned many times, as if in severe pain, when it was mental anguish +that called forth the expression, and not the aching of hurt limbs. + +Mrs. Wilkins was engaged for part of every day. She had no children to +occupy her time, and was able to attend to her husband's wants and see +to the invalid; but she could not undertake more. Miss Pringle felt her +business must be left for the present—until she was well; but what if +she were a cripple for life? + + +It was a week after the accident that Tom called to see the spinster. +He did not come before, because he had been passing through a sharp +conflict with himself. He had heard every particular of the trouble +that had befallen her, and Dick's conduct, from Mother Crampton; for +Annie had minutely described the circumstances to her old friend, and +also added her own judgment in the matter. + +It was this:—When the young girl had time to think and wonder how Dick +came to discover that Miss Pringle had a hoard of money, she remembered +how easily she had seen through the keyhole. He must have arrived at +the knowledge of her secret in the same manner. She ventured at last to +ask Miss Pringle if she had any particular time for counting her money, +and the spinster confessed she had, and stated when it was. + +"Now I understand all," said Annie to her. "Dick has watched you +through the keyhole when you thought he was in bed." + +This was by no means a pleasant conclusion to arrive at, so far as +Miss Pringle was concerned; nevertheless, as we know, it was a correct +one. When Annie told Mother Crampton, she agreed with her; and when +Mother Crampton, in her turn, told Tom, it flashed into his mind that +it was his fault in the first instance, for had he not housed Dick for +two nights? Certainly he must have mastered the secret then, hence his +behaviour to himself, and his eagerness to serve Miss Pringle. Tom saw +it all so plainly that he wondered he had been blind before. + +First, he felt very angry that Dick had gained his end so ignobly; +then, his anger turned into thankfulness that Dick had been prevented +from taking the money; and in the end one idea fixed itself, which +was, that he ought to offer his services to his former mistress. This +decision brought on the sharp battle with himself, for he was very +happy in his new situation, and dreaded leaving his very kind master. + +First, he consulted Mother Crampton, who encouraged him to go forward. +She heartily pitied Miss Pringle, in spite of her many faults, and +thought that even if Tom sacrificed his present position, his character +would be matured by the voluntary surrender of his own wishes, because +of his anxiety to be of service to one whom he thought he had wronged. +She bade him speak to Mr. Jones, and come to no decision hastily. + +Mr. Jones refused to settle the question by expressing a strong opinion +either way. He advised Tom to ask God to help him to do right, and +added, "So far as I am concerned, I shall be sorry to lose you, but I +do not feel it right to throw any obstacle in the way of your carrying +out what you believe to be the best." + +So Tom paused for one week before he called on Miss Pringle, who was +greatly surprised to hear from Mrs. Wilkins that Tom Gillies desired +to see her. She had never quite forgiven his sending for his clothes, +and was inclined not to receive him, for she could not be persuaded to +believe, all at once, that Dick was such a wicked boy, even though she, +had such good reasons for doubting anything that the latter had either +said or done. Mrs. Wilkins liked Tom, and urged the spinster to allow +him to have his way. + +"He seems so anxious for a quiet chat with you, that I think you +mustn't refuse him," she pleaded. + +So he was invited to walk up. + +When Tom found himself alone with his old mistress, he inquired after +her health, and expressed his sorrow that so sad an accident had +befallen her, but with such evident sympathy that Miss Pringle was +softened towards him; and she opened the subject of the conversation +which was uppermost in Tom's mind, by asking him why he left her +without giving any notice. + +Tom asked her to listen to his story, which she did without once +interrupting him. + +"And now," he said, in conclusion, "I've a good character from Mr. +Jones, and I've come to say that if you'll take me back, I am ready +to serve you again. I don't think you'll have cause to be sorry, for +I really mean to help you; and though I'm very happy with Mr. Jones, +and getting a salary, yet, if you'll give me only half what I get +now, I think I could manage. I mustn't expect them at home to buy me +clothes after having had three shillings a week, for then mother would +blame me. I owe you something, Miss Pringle, for behaving to you as +I did, and for letting Dick into your house. Probably he could never +have known that you'd money, but for me, nor have tempted me to go to +Lockstone, and behave as he did. Please forgive me; and to show you +forgive me, let me be your boy again. There's another change come over +me, which makes me think I shall do better than before: I tell God all +my troubles and pleasures, and ask, in Christ's name, that His Spirit +may teach me what is right, and I've found a deal of difference. I just +try to untie as many knots of sin as I can, and I try to tie no fresh +ones; but not in my own strength, I pray." + +Tom did not know how thoroughly he conquered Miss Pringle by the +simple straightforward way in which he told his story, and detailed +his difficulties, and shortcomings, for she merely replied, "I forgive +you, Tom, and thank you for your offer; let me have until to-morrow to +decide." + +Tom rose to go, but still lingered; for he had a few more words to add, +which he found rather difficult to bring out. "Please, Miss Pringle, +you won't be offended if I speak to you about something else," he +summoned up courage to stammer out at last. + +"No, Tom, you may say what you have to say freely." + +"It's only this: When I was with you, I didn't feel your religion was +quite real. Don't, please, be offended. You said a great deal, and you +made me read the commandments to you, and you went to church, and all +that; but at home you were hard, and had no kind words for me; and when +I talked to Mother Crampton, I felt there was something so real in all +she said, and it was just the same with my new master, Mr. Jones. I +found him a Christian from morning until night; and I'm trying hard to +learn that sort of religion, and I'm happier for it; and I want you to +do the same. I've brought you a little book that's helped me; it has +the words about tying and untying knots in it that first made me think, +and I've turned down the page for you. I hope you ain't offended at my +speaking." + +"No, Tom," Miss Pringle answered again. + +The boy stepped forward, and put the book into her hand, and saying, +"Good-bye; I shall call to-morrow for your answer," left the room, but +not the house, for Annie called him in to see her father. + +And when he had told them what he had done, they hoped very much that +Miss Pringle would accept his offer. + +"She is softened already by her misfortune," said Annie. "She even told +me yesterday that she had sinned in loving her money so much. Why, Tom, +she has more than two hundred sovereigns! I counted them out before +her. I wish she would send them to the bank." + +"Do not be so impatient, Annie," answered Mr. Newton. "Miss Pringle has +much to learn. I had rather that she acted after mature thought, than +in such a great hurry." + +When Tom closed the door on his old mistress, she fell into a long +reverie. She glanced back over many years of her life, and felt the +retrospect was not a pleasant one. She had lived to make money, and cut +herself off from all that brings true joy in life, merely to accumulate +gold. Her one thought had been to gather and to keep. And now she was +lying helpless, and that which had been her idol must go to keep her +from starving. Tom's words about her professions of religion came with +startling truth. She had kept up a sort of sham piety all her life; she +had served God formally, but had not given her heart to Him, but to her +money. + +She grew so restless and uneasy at last, that Annie, who came in, as +was her wont, several times during the day, noticed how flushed she +was, and asked, "Are you suffering much pain?" + +"No, Miss Annie," she replied; "I am not suffering bodily pain, but my +heart aches so. I've made a great mistake. I've lived for money, and I +can't bear to think of it." + +Annie left the room, and returned in a few minutes, bringing her Bible +with her. She chose several passages from the Gospels, which she +thought best suited to Miss Pringle's state of mind, and she read on +until she found that the sacred word brought some degree of peace and +rest. + +Before she went back to her shells, she ventured to say, "Pray, Miss +Pringle; God will hear the prayer of the penitent. There is joy in +heaven over the repentant sinner." + +The spinster could not sleep that night; so busy was she with herself. +The next morning she sent for Mr. Newton, and told him she had made up +her mind to take Tom Gillies back to carry on her business. She also +asked him if he would be good enough to go to the bank and deposit +her money, and concluded by begging him to forgive her unkindness and +selfishness. + +"I did not know what it was to be helpless when I spoke so cruelly to +you," she said; "but God is teaching me. I believe being laid by will +do me good, but it's early days yet for me to say this." + +Tom came at noon, and was with Miss Pringle for more than one hour. The +result of the interview was that he engaged to take up his quarters +under the staircase on the following day, at the same salary he +received from Mr. Jones. Neither Miss Pringle nor he ever spoke of that +conversation to a third party, but it was quite evident that Tom and +his mistress had been deeply moved, for there were traces of tears in +their eyes, and from this time quite another tie existed between them. +Tom was treated more like a son than an errand-boy. + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +TWO YEARS LATER. + +TWO years later Dixtown appeared just the same to a casual observer +as on the day when we closed our last chapter. The sun shone as +brightly, the birds sang as gaily, the myrtles, fuchsias, and fig-trees +flourished as luxuriantly, and the bay looked as placid. Nevertheless, +some changes had taken place: one old-established shop had ceased to +be; one new shop had been opened; and some of the inhabitants had been +laid in their last resting-place in the pretty cemetery on the hill +side. + +Mother Crampton was one of these; she had finished her course with joy, +and had passed up quietly and trustfully, depending on no righteousness +of her own, but on the finished work of her Saviour, to the home +prepared for her, among the mansions of the blest. She had no long +illness; she worked to within a week of her decease, when she was +compelled to take to her bed. She was tended by loving ones to whom she +had so often ministered—Annie, Tom, Mrs. Jones, ay, even Miss Pringle +on her crutches, were with her, each vying with the other in giving her +some token of their respect and love. + +After her death, her home passed into the hands of a respectable +fisherman, but the shop was abandoned, for his wife had too large +a family of children to be able to attend to it. This necessitated +Annie's finding another means of disposing of her boxes, and in her +distress, Miss Pringle helped her. + +The spinster's recovery had been tedious, and no perfect cure was +effected: she would never be able to walk again without her crutches. +The illness had borne ripe fruit; it had softened the hard lines in her +character. The change came very gradually, there was so much leaven to +purge out; but the heart of stone can be turned to flesh when under +the sanctifying influence of true religion; and Miss Pringle's formal +service of God had merged into vital Christianity. + +Tom soon mastered the baking business in all its details; he lost +no old customers, but gained many new ones, for the Dixtown people +said that his bread was, if anything, superior to Miss Pringle's; and +as the story of her affliction, and her generous behaviour spread, +several came to the shop by way of encouragement. When Tom became so +essential to the spinster, she offered to give notice to her lodgers +to find new apartments, as the only way of procuring him a more +comfortable bedroom. The lad refused to accept a change on these terms, +for he enjoyed spending part of every evening with Mr. Newton and +his daughter; they were too good friends of his to be thus summarily +dismissed. + +But after Mother Crampton died, and Annie's difficulties about +disposing of her boxes arose, Tom went to his mistress and suggested +that she should rent the adjoining cottage, and instal her lodgers in +it. + +Miss Pringle offered no objection; Annie had been so good to her that +she was glad to have it in her power to make some return. She not +only took the cottage, but spent a little money in making necessary +alterations, which is the best proof we can urge of the great change +that had taken place in her character. + +The first year of Annie's attempt at shop-keeping had just closed. +It had been a profitable one; in addition to her boxes, she sold +anemones, sea-weed, fossils, shells, and ferns. She and Tom had studied +natural history with Mr. Newton, until they learned to search after, +and distinguish the rare specimens which abounded everywhere on the +beautiful coast. + +Mr. Newton was in much better health, and with renewed strength, his +eyesight was partially restored; he was able to serve customers, +prepare boxes, and even read a few pages of a large-printed book. + +So soon as Annie and her father were established in their new quarters, +Tom exchanged his hole under the staircase for the large room they had +occupied, so that he, too, was materially benefited, but yet retained +his best friends near at hand. + +"Any prawns wanted. Prawns to sell," cried Mrs. Gillies, walking up the +street one bright October morning, and entering Miss Pringle's shop. +"Good day!" she said, on perceiving the spinster busily dusting her +shelves. "Is Tom too busy to speak to me for a few moments?" + +"Oh, no!" answered Miss Pringle, in a cheerful tone, for she could be +bright now, could smile, and sometimes laugh heartily. "He's just taken +the bread out of the oven." + +Tom entered the shop at this moment. He was now in his seventeenth +year, and had grown into a tall, handsome lad. + +"I've a message from granny," said Mrs. Gillies. "She want to see you +if you can come over on Tuesday. She's not been well the last few days. +I wish she'd give up her cottage and live with us. She's too old to be +left, and there's room now that Harry and Will are gone, and Sally's so +soon to be married. Persuade her to come." + +"Yes, I will, mother. Isn't she a happy old woman now? I like to think +of her." + +"Yes, that she is, and it's your doing, Tom," answered his mother. +"You've done a deal, my boy, for many of us," she added, emphatically. + +"It was Miss Annie's book that made me think first," said Tom; "but +after all, we must thank God." + +"Yes," replied Mrs. Gillies. "I, for my part, am glad things have +changed with us. I do thank God for it, and I'm sure your father does. +I hope I shall live to see all my children Christians before I die. I +feel plenty on my conscience sometimes, Miss Pringle, when I think of +my past wickedness, and how often I've been a bad mother. I wish—oh how +I do wish—I'd loved God all my life." + +"So do I; we've all a deal to grieve over," added the spinster. + +"We're more ready to tie than untie knots," remarked Tom. + +"But how blessed it is for us all to know God forgives us in Christ, +and accepts our feeble efforts to live nobler and better lives," said +Miss Pringle. + +The conversation was interrupted here by the postman entering with a +letter, which he gave to Tom. + +The boy started when he read it, and turned very pale. + +"It's from Dick, mother; he's sentenced to be transported for ten +years, with hard labour." + +"He's young enough to have such a sentence!" exclaimed Mrs. Gillies. +"He's not nineteen, Tom." + +"No, mother." + +"It's very, very sad," remarked Miss Pringle. "Dick is associated with +a great deal of sorrow and much joy. I feel something like Jacob must +have felt when the angel left him. 'Contented now upon my thigh to halt +till life's short journey end.'" + +"I wish—how I do wish—I could see him," said Tom. "It's too far to +go—he's in London. Good-bye, mother, I must be off to my work." + + +But before Tom returned to the day's duties, he retired to his room +to think. He was appalled at the news he had just received. Though he +knew that his former friend was running a downward course, this was too +dreadful to realise. + +From the moment that Dick fled through the fields on that night when +Annie surprised him with Miss Pringle's wooden box, he had thrown +off the mask he had assumed, and became thoroughly reckless. He was +several times confined in the county prison for petty thefts; and +when his father at last refused to admit him at home, he joined a +strolling party, and ultimately united himself to a band of desperate +house-breakers, who made him their tool. Now that he was quitting his +native land for so many years as a common felon, his thoughts reverted +to his former companion, and he could not leave England without sending +him a few words of farewell. + +Tom read his letter again, and then fell on his knees and wept and +prayed—not because he was better than Dick, but because, through the +mercy of God, he had been awakened to a sense of sin. He went about +his work with a heavy heart, for he was haunted by the remembrance +of Dick. He could neither read with, nor be taught by, Mr. Newton +that evening—he could only speak of the contents of the letter he had +received in the morning. + +After he bade farewell for the night to Mr. Newton, he turned to Annie, +and said, in a broken voice, "Miss Annie, Dick's letter has brought +back all my past life, and how much I owe to you for giving me a +helping hand. I never shall forget the Sunday when you gave me 'Come to +Jesus,' and I read,— + + "'Habit will fasten strong chains around you, which will be harder to +burst asunder every day. While you wait, Satan works. He is busy tying +knots. You are his prisoner, and he is making more and more secure the +cords which bind you. Whenever you sin, he ties another knot.'" + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77762 *** diff --git a/77762-h/77762-h.htm b/77762-h/77762-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f7f7f16 --- /dev/null +++ b/77762-h/77762-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4643 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Tom Gillies; The Knots He Tied and Untied │ Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/image001.jpg" type="image/cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size:12.0pt; + font-family:"Verdana"; +} + +p {text-indent: 2em;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +h2 {font-size: 1.17em;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} + +.w100 { + width: auto + } + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +p.t1 {text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 125%; + text-align: center + } + +p.t2 { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 150%; + text-align: center + } + +p.t3 { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: center + } + +p.t3b { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 100%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center + } + +p.t4 { + text-indent: 0%; + font-size: 80%; + text-align: center + } + +p.letter {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77762 ***</div> + +<p>Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image001" style="max-width: 33.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image001.jpg" alt="image001"> +</figure> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image002" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image002.jpg" alt="image002"> +</figure> +<p class="t4"> +<b>TOM AND DICK POTTER'S FAVORITE CAVE.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h1>TOM GILLIES;</h1> + +<p class="t1"> +<br> +<b>THE KNOTS HE TIED AND</b><br> +<br> +<b>UNTIED.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p class="t3"> +BY<br> +</p> + +<p class="t1"> +MRS. GEORGE GLADSTONE<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p class="t3"> +AUTHOR OF<br> +</p> + +<p class="t4"> +"NORWEGIAN STORIES," "THE BOY WHO WONDERED," &c.<br> +</p> + +<p><br><br></p> + +<p class="t3"> +New Edition.<br> +</p> + +<p><br><br></p> + +<p class="t4"> +LONDON:<br> +</p> + +<p class="t3"> +JAMES NISBET & CO., 21 BERNERS STREET.<br> +</p> + +<p class="t4"> +MDCCCLXXXI.<br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<p class="t4"> +EDINBURGH:<br> +PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO.<br> +AND CHANDOS STREET, LONDON<br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<p class="t4"> +TO<br> +<br> +MY NIECES,<br> +</p> + +<p class="t3"> +FLO, BESSIE, BELLA, AND MAY,<br> +</p> + +<p class="t1"> +This little Story<br> +</p> + +<p class="t4"> +IS DEDICATED,<br> +<br> +IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE HAPPY HOURS<br> +<br> +SPENT WITH THEM<br> +<br> +IN SEEKING OUT THE CHARACTERS<br> +<br> +ON WHICH IT IS FOUNDED.<br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<p class="t3b"> +CONTENTS.<br> +</p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image003" style="max-width: 25.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image003.jpg" alt="image003"> +</figure> + +<p>CHAP.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_1">I. TOM IS INTRODUCED</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_2">II. MOTHER CRAMPTON</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_3">III. MISS PRINGLE AND HER LODGERS</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_4">IV. TOM AND DICK GO FOR A HOLIDAY</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_5">V. HOW TOM SPENT HIS LAST DAY AT HOME</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_6">VI. TOM AT HIS SITUATION</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_7">VII. THE DEAD CAT</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_8">VIII. SUNDAY WITH MISS PRINGLE</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_9">IX. TOM HEARS FROM HOME</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_10">X. THE EXCURSION TO LOCKSTONE</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_11">XI. HOW TOM FARED</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_12">XII. QUITE BLIND</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_13">XIII. TOM'S FIRST WAGES</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_14">XIV. THE ACCIDENT</a></p> + +<p><a href="#Chapter_15">XV. TWO YEARS LATER</a></p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<p class="t2"> +<b>TOM GILLIES.</b><br> +</p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image004" style="max-width: 25.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image004.jpg" alt="image004"> +</figure> + +<p><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_1">CHAPTER I.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>TOM IS INTRODUCED.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>NORTON ISLAND was two miles and a half from the pretty watering-place +of Dixtown; it was a point of interest to visitors to the latter place, +who enjoyed sailing across the bay to picnic there, when the day was +calm and the sun shone brightly. It had lofty cliffs, which terminated +here and there in abrupt points, deep caves, and picturesque coves. The +view from the back of the island commanded a wide expanse of ocean, and +was so wild that the sea-birds built their nests in the crannies of the +rock, choosing such dangerous places that only daring lads like Tom +Gillies and his friend Dick Potter attempted to plunder them of their +eggs.</p> + +<p>One large mansion and farm, belonging to Mr. Pender, the proprietor of +the limestone quarries, and the cottages where the people who worked +for him and a few fishermen dwelt, made up the sum of the habitations +on Norton Island, save the schoolhouse, where an old spinster lived +rent-free. She was a fairly-educated woman, who had once served in Mr. +Pender's family, and that gentleman allowed her an annual stipend for +teaching the children of the men he employed.</p> + +<p>Norton Island was rather celebrated for its limestone quarries. Many +vessels anchored in the roadstead during the year, waiting for cargo, +whilst it also afforded a harbour in time of storm. It boasted no place +of worship; occasionally divine service was held in the schoolroom on +Sunday afternoon, and in that case a great bell sounded for half an +hour before it commenced, in order to summon the villagers.</p> + +<p>The Gillies family, with the exception of the eldest daughter Sally, +turned a deaf ear to the call. Mrs. Gillies contended that Sunday was +designed for poor people to spend in idleness. "We work right away for +six days," she said, "and it's hard if we can't rest on the seventh." +Certainly she was an industrious woman so far as the concerns of this +world were involved; but she had to learn that honouring God was +paramount, and that, if she served Him, she would better fulfil her +duties to her family, and to all mankind.</p> + +<p>Mr. Gillies had lived on Norton Island for twenty-five years. He +settled there soon after his marriage, and had worked in the limestone +quarries ever since. He had a hard struggle to live while his children +were young, but, when our story opens, his four eldest sons helped +substantially to maintain the home. They rented the cottage adjoining +their father's; and though the eldest, Harry, was soon to be married, +the other three were doing so well, they intended occupying it as +before.</p> + +<p>It was customary for the women to sell prawns in Dixtown. When Sally +Gillies was old enough to cook the dinner, her mother undertook this +business, and rather enjoyed the many journeys to and from Norton +Island it entailed.</p> + +<p>One beautiful afternoon in August she returned home after having +disposed of her basket of prawns satisfactorily. She was particularly +happy over her day's work, for two reasons:—The first was, that she had +sold her fish well; and the second, that she had made an arrangement +for one of her sons.</p> + +<p>"I've been and gone and done it, Tom," she said, as she entered the +cottage and threw down her basket.</p> + +<p>"Done what?" questioned a boy of fourteen, who was standing idly by the +window.</p> + +<p>"Got you a situation," answered his mother. "To-morrow-week you go +to Miss Pringle. You'll have to run errands, clean out the shop, and +look after the bakehouse, and, what's more, have done with your idle +vagabond habits. You're no good to your father nor me; we can't do +nothing with you. You won't work regular at any time, and Dick Potter +will be your ruin at last. He does his duty sometimes, but you never +will stick to anything but catching crabs and hunting the rocks."</p> + +<p>"What's Miss Pringle going to give Tom, mother?" asked Sally, a girl of +sixteen, who was darning a coarse sock.</p> + +<p>"He's to have his board for the first six months, and afterwards she'll +give him a shilling a week besides. And she says, Tom, you may come +home now and then of a Saturday night, and back again of a Sunday +night, when the boys have the boat convenient. I'm sure you ought to be +glad to have another chance; and you may thank Miss Pringle for taking +you, when she knows well enough what a troublesome fellow she'll have +to deal with."</p> + +<p>"I'd just as soon be a baker's boy as stay here to be found fault with +by you and father," answered Tom, sullenly. "Nobody thinks I can do +right. I'm sure I'd stick to the prawning or quarrying if you'd let me; +but there's too many at home, and you want to get rid of me."</p> + +<p>"That's not true, lad," said Mr. Gillies, a tall, rough-looking man, +who entered the room at this moment. "You know you won't work steadily, +and that it all ends in talk with you. Dick Potter will ruin you, and +you will ruin him; and the sooner you're separated the better. I'm +quite tired of hearing complaints from one and the other; this island +is too small to hold two such boys. I'm glad for you to go away; if any +one can manage you, Miss Pringle can."</p> + +<p>"I ain't no worse than others, father," replied Tom. "I'd do better if +you'd be kind to me. I never was a favourite at home, and never shall +be. Sally is the only one who ever speaks civilly to me. Ask her if I'm +a bad brother to her."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gillies glanced at her daughter, but as the latter made no reply, +she continued the conversation.</p> + +<p>"Your father speaks as he finds you, Tom," she said. "Even Mr. Pander +has given you up; he thinks you'll behave better among strangers; and +yet he's promised to take Dick Potter on, the first opening that comes."</p> + +<p>"And so he may for all I care," muttered the boy. "I'm ready to be off +to Miss Pringle to-morrow if you like. I'm sure, with such a lot of +children about, there isn't much to make me want to stay here."</p> + +<p>"You're an ungrateful rascal," said Mr. Gillies; and the lad would +have received a heavy blow, had he not twisted round and made good his +retreat through the open door.</p> + +<p>Tom was not far wrong when he said there were too many at home for +comfort. Mr. and Mrs. Gillies had eleven children. Harry and Will, the +two eldest, were fishermen, and owned a boat between them; Ned and +James worked with their father in the limestone quarries; Sally came +next, then Tom, and five young children.</p> + +<p>Tom ran as fast as his legs would carry him until he reached the edge +of the cliff, then he scrambled down to a favourite cave, where he +and Dick Potter had concocted their plans for many a day, and plotted +mischievous schemes which gained for these boys so bad a name on the +island. Tom under different training would have been a better boy. He +was extremely generous, very passionate, intensely mischievous, and +easily led. Dick Potter, on the other hand, had no redeeming qualities; +he excited Tom to acts of daring which the latter would not have +thought of, and he always took care to be on the safe side himself.</p> + +<p>Tom had so often been in the wrong that his father and mother looked +upon him as the black sheep of the family, and never gave him credit +for doing well. The boy hardened under this treatment, and grew +reckless. To his sister Sally he was rarely rude or unkind; but her +character was scarcely matured enough to guide him, though she did her +best to induce her brother to relinquish any wild scheme that came +to her knowledge, and would, she knew, bring him into punishment if +carried out.</p> + +<p>Tom sat in the cave and threw pebbles into the water; the tide was +rising so that he could not search after crabs, and unless Dick came +soon he would have to abandon his position, for the water rolled so +nearly up to him. In fact, he was on the point of retreating, when a +long low whistle announced that his companion was near.</p> + +<p>"You're later than usual, Dick," called out Tom.</p> + +<p>"You mean you're earlier."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose I am. There ain't much to tempt me to stay at home. +Now I remember, I came without my tea. But Sally will look after me. +I've got something to tell you, Dick."</p> + +<p>"Well, speak up; what is it?"</p> + +<p>"First let's get out of our cave to higher ground; the tide's coming +in."</p> + +<p>The boys scrambled on to a jutting point of rock—another favourite +place they had—and sat down again.</p> + +<p>"What's up?" asked Dick.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to live with Miss Pringle. I shall have to help in the +bakehouse, run errands, and sweep out the shop."</p> + +<p>Dick whistled.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of it?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Why, that you won't be there a month. Miss Pringle's a dreadfully +difficult woman to please, I've heard."</p> + +<p>"Anything is better than staying at home," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"I don't think so," replied Dick.</p> + +<p>"It's different with you and me. I'm not wanted here; and though the +bakehouse will be hot after so much fresh air, I'd rather be stewed +than told every minute in the day that I'm a good-for-nothing fellow."</p> + +<p>"You'll never stay, I tell you."</p> + +<p>"Is that all you have to say, Dick? You ain't a bit sorry I'm going," +said Tom, as if hurt at his companion's carelessness.</p> + +<p>"Of course I'm sorry. I shall lose my best friend," replied Dick; "and +mind, Tom, I shall always be ready to help you. And now we won't talk +any more about your leaving Norton Island, for there's to be a splendid +shooting at the quarry in half an hour. Let's go over and watch it."</p> + +<p>The boys started at once, and were in time to see a great blasting of +the rock, which generally took place when most of the men had finished +their day's work.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_2">CHAPTER II.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>MOTHER CRAMPTON.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>MOTHER CRAMPTON had passed her seventy-seventh birthday, and it +seemed probable she would live to be ninety or more, for her steps +were elastic and her eyes bright. She was a well-known inhabitant of +Dixtown, having rented the same two rooms for more than thirty years. +She kept a small shop, and sold boxes of beautiful shells, which were +collected from the neighbouring sands by a gentleman who had seen +better days, and who earned in this manner a bare subsistence for +himself and daughter.</p> + +<p>Mother Crampton was diminutive in stature, but neat and trim in person. +She wore a dress of coarse material, and a dark brown woollen apron. +Sometimes both dress and apron were patched in many places, and not +always with the same-coloured stuff; but the stitches were so small, +and the turnings so even, they but served to show how thrifty she was, +and what her still nimble fingers were able to perform. They moved +quickly, too, when the old dame knitted her black stockings. How she +managed to walk about in her heavy, thick leather boots was a question +that she decided by many ominous shakes of the head, and a long +explanation about the needs-be of women so far advanced in life as she +was trying to keep clear of rheumatism.</p> + +<p>Though Mother Crampton's face was wrinkled, and the lines in it +deep-set, she was pleasant-looking and intelligent, with a placid +expression which denoted a mind at rest. She was very peaceful and +contented, because she trusted in God, and had found the joy of +believing in Jesus for many a long year; nor was she ashamed to confess +her Saviour before men.</p> + +<p>We have said that Mother Crampton rented two rooms. That on the +ground-floor was her shop and parlour, overhead was her bedroom, which +was somewhat encumbered by a full-sized four-post bed, covered with a +patchwork quilt, sewn by herself.</p> + +<p>The lower room had a curious medley of furniture of all sorts in it. +The kitchen fireplace was let into a recess. The three shelves over +it were filled with pans, irons, candlesticks, and a great variety +of cooking utensils. Near to this recess there was a small wooden +cupboard, in which four dozen cups and saucers, six earthenware +teapots, and as many small jugs and sugar-basins, were kept.</p> + +<p>Opposite to it stood a chest of drawers, which held the good dame's +Sunday clothes, and all the linen and wearing apparel she possessed, +except her black silk bonnet, which was carefully pinned up in a +pocket-handkerchief and deposited in a square box under her bed. A +great variety of articles were displayed on the top of the chest of +drawers, which was protected from scratches by a green baize cloth. +Among them was an old Bible, full of quaint pictures, and a shell-house +which served for a barometer. It contained two wooden figures fastened +together by catgut. "Let my old woman appear," said Mother Crampton, +"and I'm sure the weather will be fine; and the rain will fall if her +husband shows himself."</p> + +<p>A small, round, wooden table was placed next to the drawers. On it +were piled, one above the other, four boxes filled with shells, which +were carefully wrapped in paper to protect them from the dust. By +their side stood a large pair of scales. A corner cupboard, the door +of which always remained open, was fixed close to the window, and +contained a reserve stock of goods and eatables of various sorts. A +second wooden table was placed in the window, which was kept tolerably +clear in the morning, so that the boxes of shells might be displayed +to customers, or the scales stand on it while some article was weighed +out. Every afternoon it was covered with cups and saucers, for many +tired fishwomen had tea ere they returned to their homes, which in +some instances were several miles distant from Dixtown, and involved a +longer row than to Norton Island. Mother Crampton earned many halfpence +by entertaining these prawn-sellers. She provided the crockery, hot +water, and milk, for which they paid one penny per head. Usually each +visitor brought her own tea and sugar.</p> + +<p>Three shelves extended across the shop-window. The highest held two +wide-necked bottles, one filled with starch, and the other with pepper. +A paper which covered the centre pane of glass announced that blacking +might be purchased within; while a second notice invited strangers to +inspect the boxes of shells.</p> + +<p>The lowest shelf was much wider than the other two; it contained +packets of blacklead, bottles of ink, a cup of oatmeal, onions, pipes, +lumps of salt, lucifers, a few prawns, and sometimes a bunch of +parsley or mint. The walls of the room were adorned with brown paper +bags filled with spearmint, sage, and other dried herbs, while three +portraits, cut out of black paper, and intended to be likenesses of +dear friends, hung over the chest of drawers.</p> + +<p>Mother Crampton was very busy about three o'clock on the day after our +story commences. She folded up her work at half-past two, set the cups +and saucers on the wooden table, put the kettle on the fire, and took a +loaf of bread and a small piece of butter out of the corner cupboard. +Whoever ate a thick slice of bread and butter paid an extra halfpenny, +and at the same rate for every additional slice.</p> + +<p>The kettle was singing and hissing when Mrs. Gillies entered, looking +very much heated.</p> + +<p>"How do you do, mother?" she said. "I'm glad to sit down a bit; it's +been very hot to-day."</p> + +<p>"Have you had a good morning's trade?" asked the old dame. "You haven't +many prawns left, I see."</p> + +<p>"I've been uncommon lucky, considering I came over later than usual," +answered Mrs. Gillies; "and, what's better, I've got rid of all my +stale fish. I put a tidy lot at the bottom of my basket, and a young +lady on the terrace bought them all."</p> + +<p>"Did you pass them off as fresh?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gillies laughed. "Of course I did, mother. I said too, 'You may +trust me, Miss.' All's fair in Dixtown; no one takes advantage of the +other."</p> + +<p>"And she believed you, and bought your prawns! O neighbour! When will +you learn to do unto others as you would be done by?"</p> + +<p>"I've my living to get, and a large family to feed and clothe; it won't +do to be too particular," answered Mrs. Gillies.</p> + +<p>"You may prosper, or think you prosper, by falsehood," said the dame; +"but it will never last. Honesty is the best policy, both for this +world and the next."</p> + +<p>"Don't preach, mother," replied Mrs. Gillies, good-humouredly. "I've +had a capital day's trade, and I'm very happy; besides, I'm too hot to +listen to a sermon."</p> + +<p>"Neighbour, neighbour! I wish you wouldn't talk like that. Remember +that your actions are known to God, and that you will one day have to +render an account to Him of all your false dealings."</p> + +<p>"Hush, hush! good mother; you're too much of a saint for me. Now, +listen. I've some news for you. Our Tom's going to live with Miss +Pringle, and I hope you'll give him a kind word now and then."</p> + +<p>Dame Crampton was about to answer, when two other women entered the +room, and the conversation became more general. There was a strong +smell of tea very soon, and many confidences were exchanged in the +next quarter of an hour, to which the old mother listened with a grave +face. She could not jest with her customers over what she considered +dishonest dealings. Sometimes she ventured to remonstrate, but her +words were not much heeded; still she persisted in bearing her +testimony to what she believed to be the truth.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_3">CHAPTER III.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>MISS PRINGLE AND HER LODGERS.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>MISS PRINGLE kept a small baker's shop in Dixtown, and carried on a +brisk trade; in fact, she was rather noted for her home-made bread. +The appearance of her shop from without did not betoken much business, +for the window was small, and had nothing in it but a loaf, a few +stale cakes, and half-a-dozen bottles filled with acidulated drops, +peppermint and ginger lozenges, toffee, barley-sugar sticks, and +bull's-eyes.</p> + +<p>Behind the shop was the staircase; then came the kitchen. On the floor +above were two good rooms, and a smaller one which went over part of +the long passage that ran through the house into the garden.</p> + +<p>It was a most productive piece of ground. The air of Dixtown was so +mild that all kinds of fruits and vegetables throve, while fuchsias and +myrtles flourished out of doors all the winter, and geraniums needed no +greenhouse to protect them from frost.</p> + +<p>Beyond the kitchen was the bakehouse, where Miss Pringle might be seen +every morning at six o'clock kneading her dough, for she was by no +means an idle woman; she managed to conduct her business with the help +of a boy, who attended to the oven, swept out the shop, and carried +bread round to her customers.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle was a tall, thin, spare woman. It was difficult to +determine her age. Some said she was fifty, others sixty; but no one +ventured to ask the question, "How old are you?" And she was never +heard to mention any circumstance which afforded information on the +subject.</p> + +<p>She made no friends, and rarely invited any of her customers beyond the +shop. Not a single inhabitant of Dixtown had ever entered her bedroom; +she invariably kept the door locked, and carried the key in her pocket. +This circumstance excited no suspicion in the neighbourhood, for she +was considered very eccentric, and it was looked upon as part of her +eccentricity. The real truth of the matter was this—she was a miser, +and secreted her gold up-stairs. When the house-door was closed to +customers at nine o'clock in summer, and eight in winter, and the +boy sent to his bed under the staircase, Miss Pringle began to enjoy +herself. She retired to her bedroom, and, fearing no intruders, counted +her money ere she fell asleep.</p> + +<p>On the day before we make her acquaintance she had realised the sum of +two hundred pounds, which she kept in a stocking within a small wooden +box, secured by a padlock. For a long time she moved this box about her +room, never being satisfied that she had chosen the safest place for +it. During the last few weeks she had adopted a new plan, and placed it +inside a bandbox, which she put on the top shelf of a large cupboard +that faced the bedroom door.</p> + +<p>"That bandbox will not excite attention if any misfortune overtakes me, +and I am obliged to let any one in here," she said to herself over and +over again by way of encouragement.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle never laughed heartily; she could smile faintly, but that +was all. It mattered not what conversation was held, nor what jokes +were indulged in, her face ever wore the same unmoved expression. She +was civil, attentive, and anxious to please her customers, but, as we +have said, she made no friends, nor did she wish for any.</p> + +<p>She kept a most parsimonious table. Twice a week she dined off fresh +dripping and bread, and three times off bacon and potatoes; while every +Sunday she had a small joint of mutton, which served for Monday too.</p> + +<p>No boy ever remained with Miss Pringle beyond six mouths. She promised +Mrs. Gillies that Tom should have one shilling a week if he stayed half +a year in her service, and she was satisfied to make this bargain, for, +judging from past experience, no lad pleased her so much as to involve +the payment of weekly wages.</p> + +<p>Before we tell how Tom Gillies arrived at his first situation, and +entered on his new duties, we must speak of the lodger, who, with his +only child, occupied the front room over the shop and smaller one over +the passage, for which Miss Pringle charged three shillings a week.</p> + +<p>His name was Newton. He was a widower, and a great invalid. Every one +in Dixtown who knew him treated him with marked respect, even though +clothes were shabby and his coat threadbare. There was no mystery about +his early history; it was just a simple every-day one of a man who +had never been successful, and who had no good friend to advance his +interests.</p> + +<p>Mr. Newton lost his wife at the birth of his daughter Annie, and about +the same time his health, which was before so good, declined, and he +had to contend with disease and pain. He was not quite penniless when +he came to Dixtown two years before our story opens, and selected it +as a place of residence because he had a letter of introduction to a +gentleman there, and was ordered by the hospital doctor to live in +a sheltered spot by the sea. He never presented his letter, for his +ailments did not admit of his undertaking regular work.</p> + +<p>Soon after Mr. Newton and his daughter, who had just completed her +fourteenth year, were established in their lodgings, an idea struck +him, and one which he hoped, if carried out, would afford him a means +of subsistence. He was a conchologist, and had studied that branch of +natural history for his own amusement. Dixtown at low water was rich in +shells, so he determined to collect the rarest specimens, and name and +arrange them in boxes for sale. In his boyish days, and long before he +felt the pressure of care, he had done this for amusement.</p> + +<p>It took him some weeks of hard study to master the names of the +various specimens of shells he found on the shore, and then he fell +seriously ill. Just at this crisis, and when his little hoard of money +was exhausted, his only relative in the world died and left him fifty +pounds. This sum was a great boon to the poor man, who was no longer +haunted by the dread of starvation which must have come but for this +timely aid.</p> + +<p>Many days passed before Mr. Newton was well enough to resume his +search after shells. During this time, his little daughter nursed him +tenderly. She was old for her years, and clever too. Her father, who +was no mean scholar, carried on her education, and she eagerly learned +of him.</p> + +<p>"You must be a governess, so be diligent, child," he said.</p> + +<p>And Annie was diligent; for she loved her father devotedly, and to +please him gave her the purest joy she knew. She was so anxious to +lighten his cares, and be of some use, that she tried to understand +what shells he required for his collections, and during his illness +spent many hours alone in searching after rare specimens.</p> + +<p>Mr. Newton was obliged to purchase several expensive books of +reference. "It is not money quite lost," he said to his daughter; "you +may turn them into shillings hereafter, and I must be competent myself +if I am to be an authority for others."</p> + +<p>It was a happy day for them when the first box of shells was completed. +It was made of card-board, and had a glass lid. Inside were two +layers of shells, which were tastefully arranged in trays on pink and +white wool. The upper layer contained five trays; in each tray were +twenty-four different kinds of shells. The lower layer held the large +single shells; the tiniest sorts were gummed on black paper. Annie, who +watched her father's operations carefully, so that she might render him +assistance when the second box was arranged, was delighted with the +success of this first attempt.</p> + +<p>So soon as the final touches were put, the question—which had many +times been discussed—as to who should sell the boxes, had to be decided.</p> + +<p>"Do not ask Miss Pringle," said Annie; "she will be sure to want half +the money we get. I have seen a little shop just off the High Street, +and a tidy old woman standing at the door; her name is Crampton; let us +call on her. It is a good situation for our purpose; the visitors must +pass on their way to the fishmarket, the pier, and the south sands."</p> + +<p>Dixtown was by no means a large place, and most of the shops were in +the Nigh Street. But Annie was right in the reasons she gave, when she +suggested that Mother Crampton was the best person to find a market for +the boxes.</p> + +<p>Mr. Newton had no difficulty in coming to terms with the old dame.</p> + +<p>"It's not a good time for selling, sir," she said, hanging up the paper +he brought with him that invited visitors to inspect the shells. "We've +but few strangers in the town now."</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, in four days a purchaser came, who gave the guinea +that Mr. Newton asked; and as Mother Crampton was satisfied with one +shilling commission, and the materials cost but two, he made a handsome +profit on the transaction.</p> + +<p>Annie and her father were overjoyed. This success gave them an impetus +to go forward. And when a letter came from London ordering two more +boxes at the same price, their hearts were full of gratitude.</p> + +<p>Before the next season, Mr. Newton had a good stock in hand, which sold +so well that he felt satisfied this new business would enable him to +live comfortably, though sparingly, and pay his landlady regularly. To +be sure, Miss Pringle's apartments were not spacious, but they sufficed +for himself and daughter; for Annie occupied the tiny room over the +passage, and her father slept on an old sofa in the front room.</p> + +<p>Annie was a busy little maiden, and a careful housekeeper. She cooked +nicely, and could buy to the best advantage. Her knowledge had come +early. Because she was motherless and had an invalid father, she was +obliged to forego the pleasures which children of her age love best.</p> + +<p>For some months all went smoothly, and then a fresh calamity threatened +Mr. Newton. He had felt his eyesight failing since his last severe +illness, and had a presentiment he might one day be blind. He could +not help dwelling on this fear sometimes. When he was depressed, +Annie roused him by her cheerful words, and reminded him that God did +not forget them. She and her father were not formal believers, but +recognised the wise Hand that overruled all the events of their lives.</p> + +<p>The young girl found a true friend in Mother Crampton. On the morning +after Mrs. Gillies had informed the kind old lady that her son Tom was +going to live with Miss Pringle, she took a large box of shells to her +for sale. Her heart was heavy, for her father had said, "Annie, my eyes +are so weak to-day, I will lie down and rest them, while you carry the +case we finished yesterday to Mother Crampton."</p> + +<p>"Do, father," she answered, "and do not be worried. I know most of the +shells by name, and can find some of the sorts quite easily. If you can +see well enough to make the boxes, we shall get along all right."</p> + +<p>But, in spite of her words, she felt an inward chill when she thought, +"What will become of us if papa goes blind?"</p> + +<p>Annie was a special favourite of Mother Crampton's. "I'm so glad to +see you, dear, for I've just sold my last box, and I've an order for +another from the same gentleman," she said, as the young girl entered +her shop.</p> + +<p>"O mother! How pleased I am! My father will be quite happy to hear it. +He is very dull to-day, his eyes seem so weak."</p> + +<p>"He must see through you, child. He will miss the beautiful scenes in +God's world at first, but he won't be blind in that other world. The +New Jerusalem will be far grander than this, and yet I'm told by them +that have gone to foreign parts, there isn't often a fairer scene to be +met with than ours."</p> + +<p>"Papa says the view from the cliff, which takes in the beautiful bay +and castle-hill, with Norton Island beyond, and dear little St Helen's, +is a perfect picture; and he knows something about other lands, for he +used to travel when he was young, and has visited many grand cities."</p> + +<p>"How is Miss Pringle, Annie?" asked Mother Crampton, turning the +conversation abruptly into another channel.</p> + +<p>"As well as usual. Why do you ask?"</p> + +<p>"Because I hear she is going to have a new boy named Tom Gillies. I've +known his mother a long time. I'm afraid he's not very steady. Try and +do him good, my dear; his mother doesn't love God, and I pity a boy +that hasn't praying parents."</p> + +<p>"He will not stay long with Miss Pringle. She has had three boys during +the last month," said Annie.</p> + +<p>"How do you manage to lodge with her if she's so particular?"</p> + +<p>"We pay our rent regularly, and that is all she requires," answered the +young girl, smiling. "I think, if papa were to become blind, and we +failed in our weekly payments, she would be neither kind nor civil," +she added, with a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Don't anticipate trouble, my child; have faith in God when the rain +falls as well as when the sun shines. He doesn't forget His children. +You're growing older every day, and will soon be able to make the boxes +alone; and if I can sell them, you can keep the wolf from the door even +if your father's eyesight fail. Here's the sovereign I owe you."</p> + +<p>Annie left her friend holding the sovereign tightly in one hand. +She had no great distance to go before she reached home, scarcely a +quarter of a mile. She walked by the side of some iron railings which +were placed at the edge of the cliff, and stopped when she came to a +gate that led by a narrow pathway down to the sands. Here a seat was +placed, and she could not resist sitting down to admire the scene. +The beautiful bay lay at her feet; to the north were a range of +thickly-wooded cliffs; in the far distance were sloping hills covered +with well-cultivated fields, and on the right rose the castle-hill.</p> + +<p>"It makes a pretty picture," Annie said aloud.</p> + +<p>"It does, dearest."</p> + +<p>She turned, and found her father had joined her.</p> + +<p>"What news do you bring?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Very good indeed. Here is a sovereign. The box I took to-day is sold +too."</p> + +<p>"Thank God for that!" answered Mr. Newton. "O Annie! If I could but see +clearly, how happy I should be! But the scene grows so misty. Pray for +me, that I may be patient if what I dread so much comes to pass."</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_4">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>TOM AND DICK GO FOR A HOLIDAY.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>TOM made up his mind he would have one holiday with Dick Potter before +he was "harnessed up," as he called it, to Miss Pringle.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gillies did not encourage her son to do his best at his first +situation; she rather gave him a distaste for it. Every word that +Tom uttered which displeased her made her shake her head, and say +tauntingly, "You'll learn to speak to your elders differently, young +gentleman, when Miss Pringle has you in hand."</p> + +<p>So Tom did not try to do better; he made himself, if possible, more +disagreeable: he pulled his little brothers' hair, disturbed them when +at play, teazed the cat, and managed to get into everybody's way, but +never volunteered to help any one. Yet Tom had a better nature, which +needed awakening. Up to this time he did not obey his parents and +endeavour to behave well, nor feel that he had a Father in heaven who +loved and cared for him, and who had given His Son to die on the cross +to save him from sin. Had he realised this, surely he would not have +said to his sister Sally, "No one gives me credit for being good, so I +may as well be naughty."</p> + +<p>The proposed holiday was to be spent in catching crabs. Tom started off +by appointment to meet his friend directly after his father had gone to +the quarries.</p> + +<p>"We shall have a first-rate day," called out Dick, who was awaiting his +arrival; "but we should do a deal better if we had the little boat that +Harry keeps for running across to Dixtown with. Isn't he gone fishing +with Will? I thought I saw them start early last evening, and I haven't +noticed them come back again."</p> + +<p>"They ain't back again; but for all that, I can't take the boat," +answered Tom. "If Harry comes soon, he's very likely to go over to +Dixtown, and if his boat ain't there, and he finds out I've taken it, +he'll thrash me; for he won't care to row the big boat over, it's so +much harder to pull."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do take it!" urged Dick. "I'm going for a holiday to please you, +and now you won't do the very thing that'll make our outing more jolly. +I'll be off to the quarries if you're going to be so ill-natured."</p> + +<p>"But I don't want Harry to thrash me; I know he will if he finds his +boat gone."</p> + +<p>"He won't want the boat to-day; he's sure to go to bed directly he +lands, for he's been up all night."</p> + +<p>"But suppose he's got fish to sell, he must go to Dixtown at once."</p> + +<p>"Most likely they'll call at Dixtown on their way home and leave the +fish."</p> + +<p>"If I were only sure of that, I'd fetch the boat," said Tom, showing +signs of yielding to Dick's temptation.</p> + +<p>"You know they hardly ever come home without calling at Dixtown by the +way."</p> + +<p>"But they do sometimes."</p> + +<p>"I've never found you a coward before, Tom," sneered Dick, pretending +to leave him. "Good-bye, you Molly."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't go!" called out Tom. "I'll take the boat if you'll come with +me; for we shan't have a day together again for ever so long."</p> + +<p>"That's just what I thought, and why I want you to make use of Harry's +boat. We can go to the Lion's Cave; it's a jolly place for crabs. We +shall never lose sight of Norton Island; so, after all, we shall be +close at home."</p> + +<p>"The Lion's Cave is too far," said Tom. "I couldn't get home before +Harry if I saw his boat in the distance."</p> + +<p>"Then stay where you are," retorted Dick; "I shan't ask you again. +You're the biggest coward I ever saw in my life. You'd better go back +home at once."</p> + +<p>Tom winced under Dick's words, and was conquered by them. "I'm no +coward," he said, hastily. "I'll prove it too. Come along!"</p> + +<p>The boys stole quietly down the narrow pathway that led to the small +landing stage.</p> + +<p>"Take the anchor with you," said Dick, jumping into the boat. "We shall +want it; for we can't land against the rocks in Lion's Cave unless +we've got it; the boat would drift away."</p> + +<p>"All right," answered Tom. "I only wish I'd brought something to eat; +we shall be so hungry."</p> + +<p>"I've a loaf tied up in my handkerchief," replied Dick; "it's a good +big one, quite enough for us two. I begged it of mother, for I said we +were going to catch crabs, and I shouldn't be home to dinner."</p> + +<p>"I told Sally I was off for the day with you, but I never thought about +being hungry," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"Don't mind, we shall get on somehow. We can't starve with this."</p> + +<p>"And we won't be very late home," added Tom.</p> + +<p>Each boy took an oar, and pulled hard. They rounded Norton Island, +then St. Helen's, which communicated with it at low water; from thence +they kept close under the cliffs, passing fantastic crags, abrupt +precipices, and dark caverns.</p> + +<p>"There's the old Lion at last," cried Dick. "It's taken us a good three +hours to get here; but hasn't it been a splendid row? Ain't you glad +you came in the boat?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's been very nice," answered Tom; "but I should have liked it a +deal more if I'd been sure Harry wouldn't find me out."</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about Harry, but enjoy your holiday, my boy," said Dick. +"It's a splendid place for crabs. We'll land here first, and go to +the other caves afterwards if we've time; it's just about low water. +Doesn't the old Lion look splendid?"</p> + +<p>"He looks ready to spring at us. You wouldn't admire him quite so much +if you didn't know he was a stone," remarked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not," said Dick, springing out of the boat. "Make haste, Tom, +and throw the rope round that tall boulder; we've two good hours before +the tide will hurt us."</p> + +<p>Tom did as he was bid.</p> + +<p>"That's right. Now let's go to work."</p> + +<p>The boys searched the clefts of the rocks, and turned over heavy +stones, hoping to surprise their victims. Dick took care only to poke +his stick into the holes, but he was always ready to haul Tom up on +his shoulder so that he might thrust his hand in and catch the crabs +by their claws. They soon captured four, which they tied together; +then they chased a large one in a pool. After some time, they managed +to force him on to a rock, but here he stretched out his claws, and +seemed so inclined to fight for his liberty that even Tom could not be +persuaded to handle him. At last, Dick turned him over on his back with +his stick, and then he was easily secured.</p> + +<p>The search for crabs was very enticing; the boys wandered far beyond +the Lion's cave in their eagerness, and both the tide and the boat were +forgotten. A great splashing of water reminded them at last that time +was passing quickly, and they discovered that they had rounded a point +against which the waves were breaking.</p> + +<p>"Here's a pretty go," said Dick; "we must scale the top of the rock."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe we can," answered Tom; "we'd better paddle."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense it isn't possible; the sea is too strong, you couldn't stand +in it. I'll go over first and give you a help up."</p> + +<p>But in spite of Dick's help, poor Tom's knuckles were badly grazed, and +to make matters worse, when he was nearly handed in a place of safety, +he let go the string which held the crabs, for his companion as usual +made him carry the spoil.</p> + +<p>"You must go back for the crabs," shouted Dick; "after all the trouble +we've had in catching them, I ain't going to see them thrown away."</p> + +<p>So Tom had to retrace his steps. When, he secured his prey, he found he +could not drag them and himself too on to the ledge where his friend +stood. Finally he threw the crabs up, and Dick caught hold of the end +of the string.</p> + +<p>"Now we're up here, I don't see very well how we shall get on," said +Dick.</p> + +<p>True enough, as Tom found when he looked down the perpendicular slab, +which must be scaled before the cave was reached. The tide was coming +in so rapidly, there was no time to waste.</p> + +<p>"Be quick," called Dick; "I mean to let myself down—you do the same; we +shall fall on the sand."</p> + +<p>"I can't and won't carry the crabs," said Tom. "If you want them, you +may take them."</p> + +<p>"You shall carry them," answered Dick, angrily.</p> + +<p>"I tell you I won't."</p> + +<p>Dick saw that Tom was not to be awed by any threats, so he answered +more pleasantly, "Don't be unkind; I'll bear my part. I'll slip down +first and you let the crabs down after me; I'll catch them."</p> + +<p>But he found the slab higher than he calculated; he did not fall on the +sand, but on a rock, which bruised him considerably, and made him very +cross. The crabs fell more comfortably, but poor Tom managed to tumble +and hit his forehead on the edge of a sharp stone. He was stunned for a +moment, the pain was so sharp.</p> + +<p>"Come along," cried Dick, who had gone forward with the crabs. "Make +haste, or you'll be washed away by the tide. Get past the next point, +and there's the cave."</p> + +<p>Tom followed his companion with a very bad grace.</p> + +<p>"I've hurt my head," he said, when he and Dick were safe in the cave.</p> + +<p>"It's nothing, only a scratch. What a fuss you make about a trifle! +We've no time to lose; we must paddle to the boat. Pull off your boots."</p> + +<p>"I wish I'd never come," said Tom, whose eye was smarting, and made +worse by rubbing it with his hand, which was wet with salt water.</p> + +<p>"It's too late to be sorry now," laughed Dick. "Be quick, or Harry will +be home before you."</p> + +<p>These words had more effect than any he could have chosen. Tom did not +linger again, but pulled well with his oar all the way to Norton Island.</p> + +<p>When they passed St Helen's, he looked out anxiously for his brothers. +But he escaped a thrashing; for they were so successful, they put into +Dixtown to sell their fish, and did not arrive home until an hour after +the boys.</p> + +<p>"We've had a famous day," said Dick, when they had anchored the boat. +"Now let's divide the crabs. I'm to have the biggest, because I carried +them."</p> + +<p>"I had them longest."</p> + +<p>Dick did not contest the point, but, as usual, managed to appropriate +the best to himself.</p> + +<p>"I'll see you to-morrow," he said to Tom at parting. "Your eye only +wants bathing; it will be all right by the morning."</p> + +<p>Tom was very much inclined to slink in at the back, to avoid meeting +his parents. But he was very hungry; so taking up his crabs, he went +boldly up to the front door.</p> + +<p>"Bless me, Tom!" cried his mother, as he entered. "What an eye you've +got! Look, father!" she added, speaking to her husband. "What will Miss +Pringle think of him?"</p> + +<p>"It's nothing to me what sort of an eye he's got," answered Mr. +Gillies. "He's been with Dick Potter all day, and up to mischief again. +He shall go to his situation to-morrow however bad he may be."</p> + +<p>"Go and bathe it directly," said his mother. "Sally, fetch some warm +water."</p> + +<p>"Come, Tom, there's a good boy!" called his sister. "Let's go into the +kitchen. What splendid crabs you've got. We'll boil one or two of the +smallest for supper, and Harry will sell the best to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Tom was soon sitting by the fire giving Sally an account of the day's +proceedings, but he did not tell her how far he and Dick had been, nor +that he had taken his brother's boat at his friend's suggestion.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_5">CHAPTER V.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>HOW TOM SPENT HIS LAST DAY AT HOME.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>WHEN Tom awoke, he could scarcely open his eye, it was so stiff and +sore. No one pitied him, and he knew very well he deserved no sympathy, +and that, if the truth were known, he would be severely punished.</p> + +<p>One wrong step led to another, and before breakfast was over, he had +told several untruths to hide his fault. First, he said he had walked +across the low ridge of rocks which united St. Helen's to Norton +Island, and had a heavy fall. Then, when one of his brothers asked if +Dick were with him, he answered, "Only part of the time." He felt very +uncomfortable when Sally put this question, "Was your little boat at +home yesterday, Harry? I went down to look if you were coming, and I +didn't see it at the landing stage."</p> + +<p>"But I did," answered Tom, hastily, putting his hand up to his eye, as +if it pained him, but really to hide his confusion. "It was there when +I went to St. Helen's."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I overlooked it," said Sally.</p> + +<p>And the conversation ended at this point; for Harry seemingly did not +notice the question.</p> + +<p>Tom was thankful to escape detection, and he felt no compunction at +having volunteered so many falsehoods.</p> + +<p>"Stay at home to-day, and see if you, can't get that eye of yours +better, Tom," said his father, as he left the room to go to his +work. "It makes you look as if you'd been fighting. Mind, no excuses +to-morrow—nothing must hinder you from going with your mother, the +first thing in the morning, to Miss Pringle."</p> + +<p>"Your clothes will be all ready," remarked Mrs. Gillies. "You've a +change of shirts, and a good second-hand suit for Sunday. The every-day +one you've got now will serve for some months yet. Never was a boy +better started off. I wish you'd be a bit thankful."</p> + +<p>"You don't expect me to be, so I don't disappoint you," answered Tom, +carelessly.</p> + +<p>"Was there ever such a boy!" said his mother, angrily. "It's a good +thing you stand alone in the family. Do for once be obedient, and keep +indoors quietly to-day. I'm going to Dixtown. Now, I tell you what I'll +do, Tom," she added, more kindly. "If you stay, and bathe your eye, +I'll sell your crabs, and buy you a pair of boots with the money they +fetch."</p> + +<p>"All right, mother!" he replied, going into the kitchen. "Come, Sally, +give me plenty of hot water."</p> + +<p>Tom was very quiet for the first hour, then he grew tired of doing +nothing, so he strolled out for a little walk, hoping he should meet +Dick. But as the latter had a day's work at the quarries, there was no +chance of that.</p> + +<p>At last, he sat down at the edge of the cliff overlooking the landing +stage, and amused himself, as usual, by throwing stones about in all +directions. He stopped when he saw a very handsome tabby cat creeping +slowly along; she belonged to his grandmother, old Mrs. Gillies, who +lived in a small cottage on the island. Tom disliked his grandmother, +and knew that the cat heralded her approach.</p> + +<p>He was right; grandmother followed close behind her favourite. When she +came near to her grandson, she asked, "How did you get that black eye, +Tom?"</p> + +<p>"What does it matter to you, grandmother?" answered the boy, rudely. +"But if you want very much to know, I fell on the low rocks over +against St Helen's."</p> + +<p>"You didn't, Tom. You were doing what you'd no right to do. I saw you +in Harry's boat yesterday. Did he lend it you?"</p> + +<p>"That's no business of yours," retorted Tom, angrily.</p> + +<p>"But it is my business, and I mean to know the truth. I shall ask Harry +if he lent his boat to you."</p> + +<p>"So you may, grandmother, and he'll say Yes."</p> + +<p>"You've told a story, you hardened boy. How glad I am you're going away +from here! I mean to call at your father's this evening. Harry shall +know that you took his boat; you deserve a good whipping. You didn't +go to the low rocks. I saw you and Dick Potter start in the boat, and +I watched your return. I might perhaps have kept your secret if you +hadn't been so pert this morning. I am going over to Dixtown until +evening; but expect to see me on my return."</p> + +<p>Tom had no time to answer, for Mrs. Gillies made her way quickly down +the pathway to the landing stage, where an old fisherman and his wife +were awaiting her arrival.</p> + +<p>Grandmother's cottage was her own, and she had a pension of four +shillings a week, which just sufficed to keep her, with the help of +sea-birds' eggs, crabs, mussels, and such like food. It was strange +that she should prefer going to Dixtown with her neighbours, rather +than her relations. This arose out of her independence; she did not +care to be under any obligation to her own kindred; for though she +admired her son greatly, her grandchildren did not inspire much love, +and she really disliked Tom.</p> + +<p>The cat waited until the boat which contained her mistress was fairly +off, then she came slowly up the sloping pathway.</p> + +<p>Tom watched her, and as he watched, wicked, mischievous thought entered +his head.</p> + +<p>"I'll be thrashed for something," he said aloud. "Miss Tabby shall +catch it, and grandmother will find that if she tells of me, she'll be +paid back again."</p> + +<p>Thus speaking, he seized on an old tin saucepan which had been thrown +out of one of the cottages, and had lain for many a day among the rocks.</p> + +<p>"Tabby, Tabby!" he called, and then looked round to see if any one were +near. No one was in sight, so he called again, "Tabby, Tabby!"</p> + +<p>As a rule, the cat avoided Tom; but perhaps his voice sounded more +gentle than usual, and poor Tabby felt lonely without her mistress. Be +that as it may, she came and rubbed her nose against him.</p> + +<p>Tom felt in his pocket for string. Unfortunately, he found enough for +his purpose. He stroked and petted the cat, and meanwhile made one end +of the string fast to the old saucepan, which had lost its handle, but +had a great hole in the side that served Tom's purpose just as well. +The next thing to be done was to tie the other end to pussy's tail, and +this was rather a more difficult matter, but was managed at last by +means of a slip-knot.</p> + +<p>When all was arranged, Tom carried Tabby a little way down the pathway, +and then let her run. So soon as the poor creature heard the noise +behind her, she flew along to escape it. Round and round she went, and +up and down; but the same noise followed her. At last, she bounded down +the cliff, far out of Tom's sight. He pursued her, and was in time to +see her flying backwards and forwards over the rocks. He called her, +but she was too wild with fear to heed his voice, and ere he was near +enough to catch her, she plunged headlong into the sea, which was +rather stormy, and was quickly carried out by the tide.</p> + +<p>Tom threw off his socks and boots, and paddled out so far as he dare, +but he was too late to do any good. Tabby and her saucepan were far +away, and the last he saw of the one friend his grandmother prized in +the world, was pussy floating on the waves.</p> + +<p>Tom was aghast at his work. He would willingly have endured a thrashing +could he have brought the poor cat back again to life. He watched the +waves until he lost sight of her, and then he walked slowly away. No +one had seen him, but even that comfort did not avail; for he knew +that he had acted a dastardly part. He was conscience-stricken; the +mentor within told him he was a cruel, inhuman boy. He went directly +home, and sat at the cottage door for the rest of the day. He was not +afraid of his grandmother suspecting him until after he had left home, +for the cat sometimes absented herself for hours together; but what if +Pussy and the saucepan should be washed on to the shore when the tide +turned?—That would tell tales of some one.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gillies reached home towards afternoon, and busied herself in +arranging Tom's clothes. She had bought him a strong pair of boots, and +several other articles of dress, at Dixtown.</p> + +<p>"I was determined to give you a good start, Tom," she said. "I couldn't +have a son of mine go to his first place without proper things, so I +added a little money to the couple of shillings the crabs fetched."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, mother," answered Tom, but in such a subdued voice, Mrs. +Gillies thought he was awed at the prospect of leaving home.</p> + +<p>"Cheer up, lad," she said, kindly. "Only be a good boy, and you'll +please your father and me, and we shan't find fault with you any more."</p> + +<p>Tom burst into tears at these words, which astonished his mother still +more.</p> + +<p>So, by way of changing the conversation, she added, "Have you said +good-bye to your grandmother?"</p> + +<p>"I saw her this morning for a minute," replied Tom, drying his eyes +quickly. "She's gone to Dixtown for the day."</p> + +<p>"What a stormy passage she'll have home! She oughtn't to go like +this without consulting the boys. But I suppose she will have her own +way."</p> + +<p>Every footfall that passed, Tom thought that grandmother was coming, +and when the evening closed without seeing her, the boy felt even more +repentant, for perhaps, after all, she was better disposed towards him +than she had seemed to be in the morning. He had a miserable night, for +he dreamed of Tabby and the saucepan and granny's anger from the time +he fell asleep until he awoke in the morning.</p> + +<p>His brothers were so kind to him before he left that he was sorely +inclined to tell Harry how badly he had behaved, and he would have done +so in all probability, had not the latter gone off early, leaving Will +to row him and his mother over to Dixtown.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, Tom," said his father, shaking hands with him. "You must +never expect to come home again for good. Remember this is the +turning-point in your life; and if you don't stay with Miss Pringle, +you must find another situation, or starve, for I can't keep idle +fellows here."</p> + +<p>Tom looked anxiously in the direction of his grandmother's cottage as +he went to the boat, but all seemed quiet as usual. "She may never find +me out," he thought; "and if she does, I shall be far enough away to +escape a punishment."</p> + +<p>Still the boy was unhappy. Another reason which made him rather out +of spirits was not having seen Dick Potter on the previous day. It so +happened Dick was home very late, and went to bed directly, nor did he +feel inclined to get up earlier than he was obliged, in order to say +"good-bye" to his friend.</p> + +<p>His comments to himself, as he worked at the quarries, might have been +summed up in these words: "Tom 'll miss me, but he'll be just as +useful to me at Dixtown as here; in fact, more useful, for I shall have +a day with him in the town when it suits me."</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_6">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>TOM AT HIS SITUATION.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>THE boat reached the landing stage by seven o'clock on Saturday morning.</p> + +<p>"Carry your bundle, Tom, and follow me," said his mother. "I'll just +take you to Miss Pringle, and then I'm off to sell my prawns."</p> + +<p>As Mrs. Gillies passed up the narrow street where Mother Crampton +lived, she stopped for a moment to speak to the dame, who was standing +at her door.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, mother," she said. "This is my son. He's the one I told +you was going to live with Miss Pringle."</p> + +<p>The old woman smiled kindly at Tom. She liked the expression of his +face.</p> + +<p>"How different she is to grandmother Gillies!" thought the boy. "I'm +sure I shouldn't teaze her cat."</p> + +<p>"Is your name Tom?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Mrs. Gillies. "He was christened Thomas, but we +generally call him Tom, sometimes Tommy, it doesn't matter which. He's +on his own account from this day. I'm sure he's old enough to earn his +living."</p> + +<p>"I hope I shall hear that you're doing well," said Mother Crampton, +looking at Tom. "You may call and see me whenever you've half an hour +to spare."</p> + +<p>"Thank you!" he answered.</p> + +<p>"That's kind of you; for he won't be able to come home very often on +Saturday, because of his having to be back on Sunday evening to be +ready for Monday morning's baking," added Mrs. Gillies. "Our being on +that bit of an island makes us obliged to fetch him and send him back. +There isn't a fisherman in Dixtown who'd do the journey one way under a +shilling."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't either of your sons help him?" asked Mother Crampton.</p> + +<p>"They'll help him when business calls them here, but they work so hard, +poor fellows, I couldn't ask them to come on purpose."</p> + +<p>"Then, Tom, I will invite you to spend any Sunday evening that Miss +Pringle spares you with me; but remember, I'm a quiet old body, and +can't bear noise. Will you like to come?" asked Mother Crampton.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Yes, please," answered the boy; "and I'm sure I could sit still if +you'd talk to me."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gillies looked surprised. "He's behaving like a gentleman, I +declare," she said. "He's subdued-like, because he's got a black eye. +He went out and fell over the rocks. But come, Tom; I haven't any more +time to spend in gossip."</p> + +<p>Tom allowed his mother to go forward a few steps, and then he turned +to Dame Crampton and said, "I don't believe I shall ever want to be +mischievous when I'm with you. Good-bye!"</p> + +<p>The mother and son walked briskly through the town, and soon reached +the baker's shop which was to be Tom's home.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle had just finished her breakfast in the kitchen. She had +prepared a second bowl of porridge for her new boy, for she expected +him to arrive early, and felt she could not very well suffer him to +be hungry until dinner-time; and, in fact, there was no economy in so +doing, for he would only eat more then. She came into the shop when she +heard the sound of voices, and Tom met his new mistress for the first +time.</p> + +<p>After a few preliminaries were arranged, and Miss Pringle had asked Tom +how he came by his black eye, his mother said, "I shall call for his +clothes every Saturday. Of course, I shall wash and mend them for him, +and I dare say I shall look in now and then to see how he's getting on."</p> + +<p>"I never encourage much intercourse with home, Mrs. Gillies," answered +Miss Pringle, stiffly. "I keep my boy fully occupied, and always find +he works better if he doesn't see too much of his relations."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Very well; it's the same to me. I'll only come and fetch the +clothes on Saturday." And nodding to her son, Mrs. Gillies left the +shop and walked up the street, crying, "Who'll buy fine prawns?"</p> + +<p>She was so fortunate in finding customers that she was ready to return +home at noon; but knowing that Will would be busy in Dixtown until one +o'clock, she went to Mother Crampton's to spend the spare hour.</p> + +<p>We must return to Tom.</p> + +<p>"Follow me," said Miss Pringle so soon as they were alone.</p> + +<p>Tom took up his parcel and walked behind his new mistress into the +kitchen. He stood at the window and watched her while she went to the +fire and set on a saucepan. In a few moments he heard her say, "It's +nice and hot now," and then she poured the contents into a basin of +exactly the same dimensions as one already standing on a round table.</p> + +<p>She placed the basin, with an iron spoon, opposite to her own and sat +down, and pointing to a wooden stool, ordered Tom to take his place. +He did so, and found himself face to face with Miss Pringle, who was +unlike any one he had ever seen before. He wondered how he should get +on with her, for he already felt quite subdued in her presence.</p> + +<p>"Your name is Thomas, I think," she said, in a grave voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, missus, but I'm most always called Tom."</p> + +<p>"Say, 'Yes, Miss Pringle.' I always like my name pronounced by my +boys when they address me. Now hear what I have to say. Don't think +I'm a rich woman, Tom; I'm very poor, and have hard work to earn my +living; therefore, I expect my boy to do his best to save me from all +unnecessary expense. As to your food, you live just the same as I do, +so there can't be any grumbling about not being well fed. Would you +like me to tell you exactly what you have to do all day?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Miss Pringle."</p> + +<p>"We rise at five o'clock in summer, six in winter, and on Sundays at +seven all the year round. You will hear the clock strike, and know +when to get up. I expect you to be dressed and waiting for me in the +kitchen by a quarter past seven to-morrow, and on Monday by a quarter +past five; but I do not wish you to unfasten a shutter or undraw a bolt +until I come down-stairs. When we have opened the house, you will have +to heat the oven while I make the bread; then you will sweep out the +shop and dust the bottles of sweets that stand in the window. Mind, I +do not allow you to take a single drop; I shall prosecute you if you +touch one: it's the kindest thing for me to do, and will save you, +perhaps, from being hanged; for great crimes generally come out of +little beginnings.</p> + +<p>"You have to scrub the shop floor once a week, but you must wash the +stone steps every morning. Then you have to carry the bread out, attend +to the garden, fetch water, gather the fruit and sell it, and do just +whatever is wanted. I'm quite as particular about the fruit as the +sweets; if I find you eating a bruised apple, I shall stop off part of +your dinner; but if you gather an apple or a peach, I shall give you +into the policeman's hands.</p> + +<p>"I've forgotten one thing here in the house, that is the stairs; you +have to sweep them down every morning. My bedroom is always locked, +for I attend to that myself; and the gentleman and his daughter who +lodge with me want nothing from you except civility. Now and then I +shall not mind your going home on Saturday until Sunday evening, but +only as a great treat; for, as I told your mother, I don't encourage +too much visiting of any kind. You'll go to church with me on Sunday +morning, and after dinner, your time is your own until half-past seven +in winter, and half-past eight in summer."</p> + +<p>While Miss Pringle was speaking, Tom played with his iron spoon, for he +did not like to begin to eat without receiving her permission. She now +signified to him that he should take his porridge, and she handed him a +thick slice of stale bread.</p> + +<p>"It's very good bread, and not too new," she said. "I often wonder how +my customers can do with it so fresh from the oven; it's very bad for +their digestion."</p> + +<p>Tom soon dispatched his porridge, but he found it a harder matter to +eat the bread, so he quietly slipped what remained of his slice into +his pocket, when his mistress was making up the kitchen fire.</p> + +<p>"Now you've finished, I'll show you where you sleep, and a drawer in +which you may keep your clothes," said Miss Pringle. "Bring your bundle +with you. This is your room," and she pointed to the hole under the +staircase. "You have a comfortable bed here, and I allow you clean +sheets once a month. This top drawer," and she opened one of a chest +that stood in a recess between the kitchen and staircase, "is for your +clothes. You can wash in the kitchen; I allow you a clean towel once a +fortnight. I will show you where you may keep it; and you will always +find soap in the dish by the side of the sink. Unpack your clothes, and +then come to me in the kitchen."</p> + +<p>Tom was too much surprised to speak. He had been accustomed to rough +food and a hard bed, but he had never eaten such stale bread before, +nor slept in a blackhole under the staircase.</p> + +<p>He soon disposed of his small wardrobe in the one drawer allotted to +him, and then went to Miss Pringle, who was sweeping the shop. "This is +scrubbing day," she called out, when she saw him enter. "Take the pail +to the pump, and fill it with water, and let me see you go to work."</p> + +<p>Tom filled the pail, and began to scrub for the first time in his life. +He found it more difficult than he anticipated, for he had a hard +mistress to please. First he held the brush wrongly; then he made the +floor too wet; then he wasted the soap by leaving it in the water; and +at last, he could have cried with mortification.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle watched him for some time before she began to dust the +bottles in the window. "These are the sweets, Tom, I spoke of," she +said, tapping one of them with her knuckles. "Again I tell you that if +you steal a single drop, you will find your way to the police-station."</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image005" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image005.jpg" alt="image005"> +</figure> +<p class="t4"> +<b>TOM SCRAPING THE FLOOR OF MISS PRINGLE'S SHOP.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Tom was a long time before he finished scrubbing the shop. Afterwards, +he was ordered to sweep the stairs.</p> + +<p>"They're only scrubbed once a mouth," said his mistress.</p> + +<p>The boy found this task as difficult as the scrubbing, for he could not +manage his great broom. He was labouring over the undertaking, when a +door at the top of the staircase opened, and a young girl appeared with +a teapot. It was Annie Newton, who, remembering what Mother Crampton +had said about Tom, and seeing him, broom in hand, move down the stairs +to give her room to pass, said, "How do you do? I hope we shall soon be +good friends."</p> + +<p>Tom's heart warmed towards Annie; she looked so pleasant, and spoke to +him as if he were her equal. So he answered, "Thank you, miss. Can I +fill your teapot? The water doesn't quite boil, I know; I'll bring it +up when it's ready."</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle came out of the kitchen at this moment to look after Tom, +so Annie thought it was better to fill the teapot herself.</p> + +<p>"Oh! It's you, Miss Annie. Come for your hot water, I suppose," said +the spinster. "That's my new boy; he isn't very handy yet, but I hope +he'll turn out well when he's been properly taught. How's your father +this morning?"</p> + +<p>"Tolerably well, thank you," replied the young girl. "He seems in much +better spirits about his eyesight."</p> + +<p>Having filled her teapot, Annie passed Tom again, and smiled at him, as +he stepped on one side to make way for her.</p> + +<p>"I'll do anything for you," thought the boy. "How odd it is that, since +I've been at Dixtown, I've seen two people that I don't think I could +have behaved so badly to as I did to grandmother! I don't believe I +should have taken Harry's boat if they'd been with me instead of Dick."</p> + +<p>And then Tom remembered the poor cat and its untimely end, and was so +absorbed that he stood with his chin on the broom, and did not hear +Miss Pringle come softly out of the kitchen to see what he was doing. +She brought him back to himself by laying her hand heavily on his +shoulder, and saying, "This won't do. I can't have an idle boy."</p> + +<p>Tom looked very red, and set to work again, nor did he allow his +attention to flag until he had finished Saturday's cleaning.</p> + +<p>"What am I to do next?" he asked, appealing to his mistress.</p> + +<p>"Carry out the bread," she replied. "That is the basket on the shelf. +There are four families I send to. The people at the great house, they +have six loaves. Then there is Mrs. Richards in High Street has three +loaves; Mr. Johnson the butcher has three, and Mr. Smart the grocer +three. Now mind, I allow no playing on the road; you must not be gone +more than half an hour."</p> + +<p>Tom walked away at a quick pace, and soon deposited his six loaves at +the great house. "I won't be behind to-day," he muttered, as he bent +his steps towards the High Street. But Tom, it must be remembered, made +resolutions in his own strength, and was infirm of purpose. He had not +gone very far before he stopped to look at some boys playing marbles; +and then at a sailor who was carrying home a toy sailing-boat, so that, +though he hurried the rest of the way, he lost five minutes, which he +could not make up.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle did not comment on his length of absence, and Tom hoped he +had escaped reproof; but when dinner-time came, he was informed that +he would have dry bread and water, and no bacon, which Miss Pringle +ate alone. She generally punished her boys for minor offences by +stopping off part of their food, because it answered a twofold purpose; +saved her provisions, and taught them that they could not disobey her +commands without reaping bitter consequences.</p> + +<p>The boy felt very indignant. He would have promised to do better had +she given him a kind word of remonstrance, but to be deprived of half +his dinner made him rebellious.</p> + +<p>"Take the basket and fill it with fallen apples," said his mistress +later in the day.</p> + +<p>Tom was no longer bright and happy, or inclined to be obedient. "The +disagreeable old thing!" he murmured, as he walked down the garden. +"I'll eat some, that I will."</p> + +<p>He picked up the apples, which were scattered about in every direction, +and ate as fast as he could meanwhile.</p> + +<p>Opposite the apple-tree was a well-filled peach-tree. "How good they +look! I'm sure she hasn't behaved so well at starting that I need be +careful about taking just one," thought Tom. So he made a long step +across the border and gathered the largest he could see. He put it +hastily into his pocket, and was about to demolish it behind a shrub, +when he heard his mistress call "Tom."</p> + +<p>"She's seen me from the window," he exclaimed. "No, she's not," he +added, for Miss Pringle was talking to a lady.</p> + +<p>It was Mrs. Wyvil from the great house, who came to buy fruit. She +looked into Tom's basket, and offered Miss Pringle two shillings for +its contents. The offer was accepted, and Tom was ordered to carry them +across at once; which he did after secreting the peach in his drawer as +he passed the staircase.</p> + +<p>The remainder of the day was spent in digging up potatoes and weeding +the gravel walk. Tom was glad to pause for a quarter of an hour and +sit down to his tea in the kitchen when the clock struck five, for he +had never worked so hard before in his life. His allowance was a bowl +of very weak tea, with a slice of the same stale bread, and a thin +scraping of butter on it.</p> + +<p>"Now, Tom, get to work again," called the spinster from the shop when +the clock chimed the quarter. "At ten minutes to eight you may put away +your tools and come to supper."</p> + +<p>When the evening meal was concluded, Miss Pringle said, "I want you to +read a chapter out of the Bible to me, Tom; but before you begin, tell +me, on your honour, did you eat any apples?"</p> + +<p>"No, Miss Pringle."</p> + +<p>"I believe you. Now read the twentieth chapter of the book of Exodus."</p> + +<p>Tom felt a twinge. After, all Miss Pringle was better than he believed +her to be; for she supposed that he told the truth. He had a second +twinge when he read the commandments through, for had he not stolen? +Was not the peach in a corner of his drawer?</p> + +<p>"I allow you ten minutes to get into bed, Tom," said his mistress. +"Don't be longer."</p> + +<p>The boy took care to put the peach under his pillow, lest Miss Pringle +should look into his drawer when she came to take away his candle. So +soon as he was alone, he ate it, but he did not enjoy it in the least, +for he could not forget the words he had been reading. "Thou shalt +not steal," came to him again and again; and, somehow, the peach and +grandmother's cat were strangely mixed up in his dreams; so, though +he slept soundly, he felt very tired and miserable when he awoke next +morning.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_7">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>THE DEAD CAT.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>GRANDMOTHER GILLIES did not carry out her intention of calling on her +son to complain of Tom, because she was so late home from Dixtown. She +made up her mind she never would trust to her neighbours again, for +she had to sit on the harbour wall for two hours, waiting until the +fisherman and his wife were ready to return. She had appointed to meet +them at a given time, and they had failed to keep the appointment. She +was afraid to leave her post lest they should come in her absence, and +yet she wanted a cup of tea to warm her so much; for though it was +August, there was a brisk wind, and Grandmother Gillies did not bear +the chilly evening air at seventy as she had done at twenty years old.</p> + +<p>The trio did not leave the harbour until after sunset, and when they +were half way to Norton Island it blew such a gale that the boat +advanced very slowly, for the fisherman was an old man, and unable to +pull the oars so vigorously as Harry or Will Gillies.</p> + +<p>Grandmother was thankful to reach home. She found her cottage window +half open, as she had left it, to admit Tabby, if the cat chose to take +shelter there in her absence. She busied herself in making a fire and +boiling her kettle of water; and when she had disposed of a large cup +of tea and a good slice of bread and butter, she felt better, and the +world smiled on her again.</p> + +<p>"I wonder where Tabby is?" she said aloud; for she had a habit of +talking to herself. "I mustn't let her go without her milk. Tabby, +Tabby!" she called from the window.</p> + +<p>As the cat did not appear, grandmother set aside the saucer of milk, +and, having washed up her tea things, and put them back into the +cupboard, settled into her arm-chair by the fire.</p> + +<p>"I'm just tired out," she muttered. "I've had a good warning not to +trust to other people again. Harry and Will know how to pull, and +wouldn't keep me waiting for a couple of hours."</p> + +<p>Before grandmother retired to her bedroom, she went to the window and +opened it just wide enough for Tabby to squeeze through if she came +later, and then she discovered that large drops of rain were falling.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's just beginning to rain!" she exclaimed. "Tabby hates rain; +she'll be sure to come now. I'll wait another ten minutes and close the +window, for the wet beats in. Tabby will take good care to knock, and I +shall hear her."</p> + +<p>So Grandmother again took refuge in her arm-chair, and this time she +fell fast asleep.</p> + +<p>When she awoke, the fire was out and the clock struck eleven. She +roused herself up and found the lucifers to light a candle; she then +opened the window, expecting to find Tabby without, and very cross at +being unable to get in. She was a little surprised that the cat was not +there, but no thought of an accident having happened to her favourite +crossed her mind.</p> + +<p>"She'll be here before morning. I'll leave the window as I generally do +when she's out," said the old woman.</p> + +<p>Grandmother Gillies was up betimes, and her first thought was of Tabby. +When she discovered no trace of her, she began to wonder where she was.</p> + +<p>"I certainly saw her close to the landing stage when the boat started. +Ah! And Tom was there too; but he wouldn't touch her, I know."</p> + +<p>She was still debating in her own mind as to Tabby's whereabouts, when +the door was opened, and her granddaughter Sally entered.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, granny," she said. "I came to see how you were after +the storm. Mother has taken Tom over to Dixtown, and she couldn't come +herself. She was afraid you'd have a tossing yesterday."</p> + +<p>"So I did, Sally. Was Tom's eye better?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; much better, granny. But how are you?"</p> + +<p>"What did Tom do yesterday? I saw him on the cliffs opposite the +landing stage when I started," asked the old woman, without heeding +Sally's question.</p> + +<p>"He said he saw you. He was at home nigh upon all day. He didn't seem +in good spirits."</p> + +<p>Grandmother was relieved. She did not really imagine that Tom would +injure her cat, and yet she was glad to know that he was at home +for the greater part of the day, and never suspected that he had +accomplished his cruel work so immediately after she left him.</p> + +<p>"How are you, granny?" asked Sally again. "You don't seem quite +yourself. Mother was afraid the storm would upset you."</p> + +<p>"No, it hasn't, child; but the fact is, Tabby's never been home all +night, and I'm a little uneasy about her."</p> + +<p>"But she often serves you so."</p> + +<p>"Not if it rains; she never stays out in the wet."</p> + +<p>"I daresay she won't be long. She'll be wanting her breakfast. Shall I +walk round the island and see if I can find any trace of her?"</p> + +<p>"Do, there's a good girl; and come back to me before you go home."</p> + +<p>Sally went off at once, asking the few people she met by the way if +they had seen the cat, for Tabby was just as well-known as any other +inhabitant of the island. She was on the point of returning to her +grandmother, to inform her that her errand had been a fruitless one, +when she thought she would go down to the shore. The tide was running +out fast, and Tabby might be in one of the caves catching small crabs.</p> + +<p>It did not take her many minutes to reach the landing stage; she walked +along the sands, peering into every corner, and calling "Tabby! Tabby!" +As she was passing a small nook, where several high stones were firmly +fixed in the sand, and covered with thick brown sea-weed, something +darker than the weed attracted her attention. Sally walked up to it to +gratify her curiosity, and not because she expected to find Tabby. And +then she discovered it was the body of the once petted cat, which had +evidently been preyed upon by some creature, for she had a large hole +in her side, and half her tail was gone. As Sally gazed in wonderment +and horror, a great crab sidled away, as if it had been disturbed, and +sought to hide from detection. It was quite evident that poor pussy had +fallen a victim to its voracious propensities, but how she came to be +reduced to such a condition as to afford food for a crab was more than +the young girl could tell.</p> + +<p>"What will grandmother say? Who will carry the poor cat home to her? I +dare not," she exclaimed. "Oh! What shall I do?"</p> + +<p>She sat down near the dead creature, but shrank from touching her, +and kept repeating to herself, in a monotonous voice, "What will +grandmother say?"</p> + +<p>She was aroused by a sound of whistling. It was Dick Potter, who was on +his way to the quarries.</p> + +<p>"O Dick! Do come here," called Sally. "Tabby's dead; it's so dreadful."</p> + +<p>The boy scrambled, and jumped, and slid, until he reached her side. +"What's up?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Look! Look!" cried Sally, pointing with her finger.</p> + +<p>"It's a dead cat, that's all. It ain't a very uncommon thing to find +one, and I suppose the crabs have been at it."</p> + +<p>"But it's Tabby," almost screamed Sally, "grandmother's cat; and I +can't touch her, she looks so horrible. I don't know what granny will +say when she sees her. She'll be quite ill."</p> + +<p>"I'll carry it up to the old woman if you like, but you must go on +first and say I'm coming."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather you went with me to help tell her."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! What's a cat?" said Dick, scornfully.</p> + +<p>"A great deal to grandmother," answered Sally, indignantly. "But I'll +be obliged to you if you'll carry Tabby home," she added, more gently.</p> + +<p>Dick touched the cat with a short stick he carried, and finally held +her by the small bit that yet remained of her once beautiful tail.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Grandmother stood at her open door watching for Sally to come. She did +not notice that Dick was behind her granddaughter, and asked, "Have you +found her?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, grandmother," replied Sally, hesitating.</p> + +<p>"Where is she?" said the old woman, walking forward a few steps; and +then she caught sight of Dick carrying her dead Tabby.</p> + +<p>"You wicked, wicked boy!" she screamed. "How dare you kill my cat? I'll +have you punished."</p> + +<p>"A nice way to thank a fellow!" exclaimed Dick, throwing down his +burden. "You may bury her yourself; I won't help you."</p> + +<p>And he was turning away, but Sally called out—</p> + +<p>"It wasn't Dick, grandmother; Tabby's fallen over the cliffs into the +sea. I found her on the shore, and the crabs have had her."</p> + +<p>"Tabby fallen, indeed she was too sure-footed for that. Oh, my poor, +poor cat!" And grandmother burst into tears.</p> + +<p>Bad and hardened as Dick was, he felt a momentary sorrow for old Mrs. +Gillies. "I ain't worth much," he said, "but I wouldn't kill your Tabby +for fun."</p> + +<p>"You must believe him," cried Sally; "depend on it, I'm right. Tabby +fell over the cliffs."</p> + +<p>"I wish I hadn't gone out yesterday; everything went wrong," sobbed +poor granny. "I suppose Tabby must have tumbled. I'd have locked her +up if I'd thought she'd have got into mischief. She always has walked +on the most dangerous places. O dear! I don't know how I shall get on +without her."</p> + +<p>Sally tried to comfort the old woman, but Dick's sympathy was soon +exhausted. "I'm off to work now," he said.</p> + +<p>"I thought you'd help bury her, and now you're going away. Won't you +stay and dig a hole?" asked grandmother.</p> + +<p>"If you've done making a fuss, and are ready for business, I'll stay," +answered Dick, rudely. "Where's a spade?"</p> + +<p>"I'll get one," replied Sally.</p> + +<p>"I can't bear to part with her," sighed grandmother, stroking the +mangled remains of her poor favourite, while Dick was busy digging.</p> + +<p>"We must find another pussy for you," answered Sally, kindly; "there +are plenty of kittens to be had for asking."</p> + +<p>"But none will ever be so faithful as my poor dear Tabby."</p> + +<p>The grave was made in the small garden behind the cottage. Grandmother +watched Dick until he had finished, and a little mound was raised over +Tabby's remains.</p> + +<p>"Here's twopence for you," she said, "and thank you."</p> + +<p>Dick was not generous enough to refuse payment; he put the coppers into +his pocket, and went away to find work.</p> + +<p>"You can go home now, Sally," said grandmother; "I'd rather be alone."</p> + +<p>It was a long day for the old woman, who shed many tears over poor +Tabby's untimely end. Could Tom have witnessed her grief, he would have +been doubly punished.</p> + +<p>Mr. Gillies and his son Harry called in the evening, and heard the sad +history a second time; for Sally had already told them every particular.</p> + +<p>"I shall soon find you a new pet, granny," said Harry, when he bade her +good-bye. "Don't fret."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather not have another just yet," she replied.</p> + +<p>"You'd best leave your grandmother to herself," remarked Mr. Gillies to +his son, as they walked home. "It's no use trying to mend matters while +the trouble's so fresh. She's better without a cat for a time."</p> + +<p>"I shall ornament Tabby's grave to-morrow" was grandmother's last +thought ere she fell asleep. And here we may as well add that before +many days passed, the little mound was studded with whelks and oyster +shells, and in the centre a fuchsia was planted which cost a shilling; +but granny did not grudge the money, nor the sacrifice it entailed to +purchase it.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_8">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>SUNDAY WITH MISS PRINGLE.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>TOM thought seven o'clock never would come on Sunday morning. He was +up and dressed soon after five, but he dare not open the house, having +received orders to wait in the kitchen.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle was down-stairs punctually, and after wishing Tom good +morning, told him to unfasten the shutters and unbolt the doors. This +was soon done. Then he received instructions to carry a pail to the +well in the garden, and fill it with water.</p> + +<p>"I'm very lucky," said his mistress. "While all the people in Dixtown +are short of water, and have to go to the public spring, my well is +supplied."</p> + +<p>This announcement did not particularly interest Tom, moreover he was +impatient to get into the garden. "I don't believe I can stay here +long," he muttered, as he walked along swinging his pail. "I must have +fresh air, and there's little to be got in my present quarters."</p> + +<p>Tom had a sensation of enjoyment he had never experienced before as he +looked at the flowers and felt the warm sunlight. "How beautiful Norton +Island will be to-day! How I shall like to peep at it this afternoon!" +he thought. And then he sighed, and said aloud, "I've been silly, very +silly, not to find steady work nearer home. I declare I shall miss them +all. I wonder if I really am much worse than other boys?"</p> + +<p>"Make haste, Tom," called out Miss Pringle, in a sharp, shrill voice.</p> + +<p>The boy began to pump, and the water came at first, though slowly; but +before his pail was full, it ceased altogether.</p> + +<p>Tom pumped on for some minutes, but not another drop could he get. +"It's no use trying any more," he said. "I must just go and tell her +what's happened."</p> + +<p>On his way back, he picked up an apple that lay in his path, and began +eating it.</p> + +<p>"What did you throw away just now?" asked his mistress, coming out to +meet him.</p> + +<p>"A bit of an apple, Miss Pringle," said Tom.</p> + +<p>"How dare you touch my fruit?"</p> + +<p>"It was a very bad one, and only fit for the pigs, Miss Pringle."</p> + +<p>"Bad or not bad, you shall obey me. I shall punish you for it. Why have +you not filled the pail?"</p> + +<p>"There isn't any more water in the well," answered Tom, rudely.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it. You haven't pumped properly."</p> + +<p>"But I know I have. You'd better go and try the pump yourself."</p> + +<p>"Speak respectfully, Tom. After you have filled the kettle, follow me, +for I intend you to pump while I look on."</p> + +<p>Tom did as he was told, but not pleasantly. As they passed the +peach-tree, Miss Pringle stopped to count her peaches.</p> + +<p>"One gone," she said angrily. "You've taken it, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I haven't, Miss Pringle."</p> + +<p>"Did you, or did you not take it, sir?"</p> + +<p>"No, Miss Pringle," replied Tom positively, and moved toward the pump.</p> + +<p>"I wish I'd never taken him; he seems worse than other boys, and more +difficult to manage," thought the spinster. "Now, Tom, pump," she said +aloud.</p> + +<p>The boy pumped again, but with the same result. And at length, his +mistress was obliged to confess, though very reluctantly, that she must +do as others had done for some weeks, make use of the public spring.</p> + +<p>"It's most provoking, Tom," she said; "you must be very careful of the +water we've got, for I don't intend you to fetch any to-day. I'm not +going to have the neighbour's giggling at my expense on Sunday. You can +only wash your hands once more to-day, and Miss Newton must do with a +short allowance. Now come to breakfast."</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle had prepared the porridge when Annie came into the +kitchen. She wished Tom and her landlady good morning, and made some +remark about the fine day.</p> + +<p>"I'm in great trouble," whined Miss Pringle, without returning her +greeting.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?"</p> + +<p>"My pump has gone dry, Miss Annie."</p> + +<p>"But, with such a beautiful spring so near, that need not trouble you," +answered the young girl, cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"You're just like all other children, Miss Newton; as if any public +spring could be as good as a private well. You will find out I'm +right before the day is out, for you must do with what water you have +up-stairs for washing. I've only just enough for the teapots."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I cannot do without a small jugful in addition; papa needs +some warm water to bathe his eyes with."</p> + +<p>"He can't have any, Miss Annie. To-morrow there will be plenty."</p> + +<p>"You can beg a little from next door, Miss Pringle. Mrs. Wilkins fills +her large tub every Saturday for Sunday's use."</p> + +<p>"I'm surprised at you, miss. Do you think I mean to sink so low as to +ask my neighbour to give me water?"</p> + +<p>"There is nothing to be ashamed of," answered Annie, with some spirit; +"but at any rate, if you dislike asking Mrs. Wilkins, I can do so; poor +papa cannot go without warm water for his eyes."</p> + +<p>"May I fetch you a jugful from the spring?" asked Tom, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Thomas, you forget yourself," said Miss Pringle, angrily. "It is not +my habit to send my boy out to fetch water on Sunday."</p> + +<p>"Thank you all the same for your kind offer, Tom," replied Annie; "I +shall manage somehow," she added, as she left the kitchen. She was half +way up-stairs when the thought occurred to her that he might be without +books, so she returned once more, and said, "If you come up-stairs and +tap at the door after you have had your dinner, Tom, I will give you a +book, and introduce you to papa."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, miss," he answered.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle was in the habit of attending the village church at +Annerly, which was about a mile and a half distant. The way through +the fields to it was a charming one, so pretty that Tom could scarcely +restrain himself and walk steadily, he wanted so much to gather +wild-flowers, and chase the bees and butterflies.</p> + +<p>His attention wandered in many directions as he sat in the free seats +by the side of his mistress, until these words caught his ear:</p> + +<p>"Thou shalt not steal."</p> + +<p>They made the blood rush into his cheeks. After this, his old +grandmother and her lost cat occupied his thoughts. He wondered how +the poor old lady would spend her Sunday without her favourite? He +could not shake off the remembrance of his wicked act, and grew so +uncomfortable at last that he moved about and shuffled his feet, until +he received a warning look and pinch from Miss Pringle.</p> + +<p>He forgot his discomfort as he walked home; but then the warm sun and +fresh air were so pleasant after sitting still so long, and he was to +call on Mr. Newton directly after dinner, and could amuse himself in +his own way until evening. One thing he decided upon, which was, to +climb the castle-hill and look over to Norton Island. He could not have +put his feelings into words had he tried to express them, but he had +a strange yearning for his own people that he had never felt before. +He wanted so much to see them, for though he had only slept one night +away, it seemed as if many days had passed.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle had roasted a shoulder of mutton on the previous afternoon +to be cold for Sunday. Tom was very hungry, and glad to think the +dinner would be so substantial. He helped his mistress to set the +table, and took his place, wondering why she placed a morsel of dry +bacon opposite to him. He soon learnt why it was there.</p> + +<p>After Miss Pringle had cut a large plate of mutton for herself, she +said, in a grave, stern voice, "You took my apples, Thomas, when I +expressly ordered you not to touch one, therefore you will have no +mutton to-day. Eat that bacon. Another time you will only have bread +and water."</p> + +<p>The boy was about to answer rudely, when conscience whispered, "You +deserve the punishment; remember, you stole a peach and denied the +theft;" so he kept silence.</p> + +<p>"Your time is your own until half-past eight o'clock, Tom," said the +spinster when dinner was over. "I wish you to go out at once."</p> + +<p>"May I see Miss Annie first?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I suppose she will expect you; but do not be long, or you will keep me +waiting."</p> + +<p>"I can shut the door when I go out," suggested Tom.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, you will do no such thing. I never allow my boy to be idling +about the house when I am in my room. Go up-stairs at once, and don't +stay more than five minutes."</p> + +<p>Tom tapped at Mr. Newton's door.</p> + +<p>It was opened by Annie. "Come in," she said. "Papa would like to see +you."</p> + +<p>They entered into conversation together, and Tom was enjoying his visit +very much, when Miss Pringle knocked loudly, and asked, "How much +longer do you mean to keep me waiting, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I mustn't stay," said the boy, rising as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"How will you spend the afternoon?" questioned Annie.</p> + +<p>"I hardly know, miss, except that I mean to go to the castle-hill, and +look at Norton Island."</p> + +<p>"Here's a little book for you. Will you promise to read it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, miss, that I will."</p> + +<p>"It's called 'Come to Jesus.' Take your Bible, and look out the texts +which are referred to, and some day you shall tell me if you have +accepted the invitation which Christ gives to all to come."</p> + +<p>Tom had no Bible of his own, but did not like to confess this to his +new friend; so he took the book she held out to him hastily, and said, +"Good afternoon."</p> + +<p>"You've been chattering up there too long. I hate gossiping," were the +words he heard from his mistress as he entered the kitchen. "It's quite +four minutes since I knocked for you to come down."</p> + +<p>"I'm quite ready to go now," said Tom, fetching his cap.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle followed him to the front door, and locked it; she then +retired to her bedroom, for she knew that the next two hours would be +undisturbed. No visitor ever came on Sunday afternoon, and her lodgers +never stirred between three and five o'clock.</p> + +<p>But she did not read, nor did she pray, nor sleep—she spent the time in +counting her sovereigns. She touched them softly, lest Mr. Newton or +his daughter should hear them chink; but she touched them with a thrill +of joy, for the possession of them had mastered every other feeling. +She only lived to store up her money, and seemed to forget that God +might one day say to her, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be +required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast +provided?"</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Tom walked quietly along, sometimes peeping through the iron railing to +get a better view of the bay. When he came to the gate which led to the +pathway down the cliff, he sat down on the seat for a few minutes, and +took out his book. As he opened it, these words arrested his attention,—</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "If you come not to Jesus when young, it is not likely you will come +at all. Habit will fasten strong chains around you, which will be +harder to burst asunder every day. While you wait, Satan works. He is +busy tying knots. You are his prisoner, and he is making more and more +secure the cords which bind you. Whenever you sin he ties another knot."<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>Tom could read well, and was by no means a dull boy. "I suppose Satan +tied a knot when I stole the peach, and another when I ate the apples, +and I can't tell how many when I killed grandmother's cat," he said to +himself.</p> + +<p>Then he read the heading of the chapter—it was this, "Ye who are young, +come."</p> + +<p>"It seems easy enough to come in a book," murmured Tom; "but it ain't +easy. I'll read the chapter over again when I get on the hill. I really +wish I'd a Bible of my own. I think I'll save up, and buy one."</p> + +<p>He walked on until he reached Mother Crampton's house, and here he was +stopped, for she was taking in some milk as he passed, and asked him +where he was going to.</p> + +<p>"The castle-hill," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Would you like to take tea with me first, and go to the castle-hill +later?" she asked.</p> + +<p>Tom's face expressed the pleasure he felt, though he only answered, +"Thank you."</p> + +<p>The old woman and young boy became fast friends at that first tea +drinking. Tom told her what a character he had earned on the island; +how unkind he was to his brothers; how often he vexed and annoyed his +parents; and he showed her his little book, and pointed to the chapter +he had just read; but he did not tell her of the wrong-doing which was +weighing more heavily on his conscience than all his other misdeeds.</p> + +<p>Mother Crampton spoke very unreservedly to him, and Tom heard her with +deep interest. She made it plain to him that unless he cried for mercy, +the chains of sin would bind round him so tightly that he would find +them hard indeed to unfasten. But he learned, too, that One was at hand +to help him—One was waiting to give His Spirit in answer to prayer—One +was listening to catch the first faint echo of the cry,—</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before Thee."<br> +<br> +</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, my dear boy," said Mother Crampton at parting. "Come to me +next Sunday, and instead of lounging on the castle-hill, you shall +accompany me to God's house. Don't let Satan tie any more knots this +week; try and unfasten the old knots, which he has been tying for so +many years, by prayer. Ask in faith, and the answer will come."</p> + +<p>"I wish—how I do wish!—I had courage to tell her all," thought Tom, +as he threw himself on the turf when he reached the castle-hill. "I +know I should have been a deal happier, and now I'm really right-down +miserable."</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_9">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>TOM HEARS FROM HOME.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>"TOM, you must be off and fetch some water," said Miss Pringle the next +morning. "It's very annoying, to be sure, that I should come to this. +Take two pails with you."</p> + +<p>The lad was ready to go at once, for he was anxious that the water +should boil by the time Mr. Newton required it. The street was thronged +as usual with water-carriers; the beautiful spring which supplied +one side of Dixtown had never failed in any time of drought, and bid +fair to yield so long as there was a demand. It bubbled up out of the +ground, and was conducted, by means of a pipe, through a tap which was +placed by the side of a fine sycamore, one of a group of six trees.</p> + +<p>Tom had about three minutes' walk to reach the spring. Just as he +turned out of the house-door, he saw his mother coming up the street. +After she had heard that Miss Pringle's well had failed, and where he +was going to, she said, "Tell me how you're getting on."</p> + +<p>The lad gave a detailed account of his life since he had entered on +his situation, but all the time he was longing to know if his mother +would mention grandmother's cat. They walked towards the spring as they +chatted, and found, when they reached it, at least twelve women and +children awaiting their turn to draw water.</p> + +<p>"You must be patient, Tom," said Mrs. Gillies. "I can't stay any +longer, or I shall lose the chance I have of selling my prawns by being +first to cry them. I shan't be over here until Saturday, for the boys +are going to have a long turn, and I've a deal of setting to rights to +do at home. I don't think I've any news to tell you. Oh, yes! I have. +I declare, I quite forgot it in seeing you, and hearing about Miss +Pringle. Grandmother's lost her cat."</p> + +<p>"Lost her cat, mother! What do you mean?" asked Tom, trying to keep his +colour down, and stooping to pick up one of the pails, which he kicked +over because he felt he must do something.</p> + +<p>"Why, I mean that Tabby's dead; and how the poor creature came to run +into the sea nobody can tell. Sally thinks she fell over the cliff, and +that the crabs attacked her, for she had a great hole in one side, and +Sally saw a big crab scuttling away."</p> + +<p>"How came Sally to see the cat?"</p> + +<p>"She went to look after grandmother, who was out in that terrible +storm the day before you left, as you know; and she found her very low +because Tabby hadn't come home. So Sally went after the cat, and saw +her lying dead on the shore, and Dick carried her home, and helped +bury her in the garden; and grandmother says she'll never have another +favourite. But I mustn't stay any longer. Good-bye, Tom."</p> + +<p>The boy gave a great sigh of relief as his mother left him, because his +secret was safe. Then he thought of the knots. It wasn't the way to get +rid of sin to try and hide it; and with all his efforts, he couldn't +hide it from God. He was so occupied with his thoughts he did not +notice that he was alone at the spring. He filled his pails quickly, +and made such haste home that the water was boiling before Annie came +down-stairs to fill her teapot.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon Miss Pringle ordered him to take a basket and gather +some blackberries from the hedges in Windmill Lane, where she heard +they were hanging in thick, ripe bunches. "You may pick a good few, +Tom," she said, "for the apples are falling, but will do very well for +jam, mixed with blackberries."</p> + +<p>Tom liked the idea of a run in the lanes, but was barely out of sight +of the house before he was stopped by hearing the whistle he knew so +well, and turning round, found that Dick Potter was close behind him.</p> + +<p>"What have you come to Dixtown for?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"Because I've got no one to go out with on Norton Island, now you've +gone, and I've nothing to do at the quarries, for I've quarrelled with +the foreman," answered Dick; "and father was so angry, he sent me off +to find work at the harbour. I've been waiting about here since one +o'clock for you to come out. Where are you going to?"</p> + +<p>Tom told his errand.</p> + +<p>"I'll go with you, and help you," said his friend.</p> + +<p>As the boys walked to Windmill Lane, Dick enlarged on the untimely end +of grandmother's cat. Tom winced several times when he alluded to the +poor old woman's sorrow; but he made no confidant of his companion, +and right glad was he to reach the blackberries, in order to turn the +conversation into another channel.</p> + +<p>"Here we are," he said, interrupting Dick in the middle of a sentence. +"How splendid they are! Now let's go to work."</p> + +<p>The basket was soon filled, and then the boys feasted themselves.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" asked Tom, as they came almost within sight +of Miss Pringle's house.</p> + +<p>"I shall lounge about until dark, and share your bed to-night," +answered Dick.</p> + +<p>"But you can't. Miss Pringle will never let you."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean to ask her. I'm coming at your invitation."</p> + +<p>"But I can't give you one. Why don't you ask some of your friends at +the harbour?"</p> + +<p>"After to-night I will. Do, Tom, there's a good fellow, let me sleep +with you just for once. I'll go away before daylight. I'm promised work +to-morrow, so it's only to-night."</p> + +<p>"But I can't let you in, Dick. Miss Pringle locks as well as bolts the +doors, and carries the keys in her pocket."</p> + +<p>"You're a stupid, Tom. Can't a fellow come in other ways besides +through a door? There's a window at the back, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Yes, in the kitchen."</p> + +<p>"Where do you sleep?"</p> + +<p>"Under the staircase. There's only just room for me. I'm sure you +couldn't get in as well," said Tom, in a dolorous voice.</p> + +<p>"I shall try, at any rate. Now, Tom, don't be disagreeable. I know +you'll put yourself out for an old chum. I'd do as much for you. I +shall be taken on to-morrow; and the fisherman says he'll pay me every +day just at first. So I only want your help for this one night."</p> + +<p>When Dick coaxed, Tom was sure to yield. As we have said, his was not a +strong character, nor had he strong principles, so he finally yielded +to his friend's evil influence.</p> + +<p>"As it's only one night, Dick," he said, "I don't so much mind. But you +must come in very carefully, for there are lodgers in the house, and +Miss Pringle sleeps over the kitchen. If she finds me out, she'll give +me over to a policeman."</p> + +<p>"Don't be frightened, Tom, but trust me to take care of myself and you +too. I'll tap at the kitchen window when the clock begins to strike +ten."</p> + +<p>Dick had invented a tissue of falsehoods. He had not quarrelled with +Mr. Pender's foreman, nor had he a situation in prospect. The truth +was he had no work at the quarries for two days, and thought he might +as well go over to Dixtown to see how Tom fared, and he intended +returning to Norton Island on the following morning. Mr. Potter never +troubled himself about his son, and Dick had no mother. His stepmother +was a kind-hearted woman, but had a large family to care for, and she +was rather relieved than otherwise when her stepson absented himself +from home, for she disliked his idle habits, and feared that his evil +influence would be hurtful to her children.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle was satisfied with her basket of blackberries, but Tom +was not satisfied with himself. As he peeled the apples, he thought +of Mother Crampton's advice, "Don't let Satan tie any more knots this +week."</p> + +<p>"I know I'm going to tie a big one to-night," he said aloud, forgetting +how near Miss Pringle was to him.</p> + +<p>"I didn't hear you, Tom," called his mistress. "I'd just gone out of +the garden door for a moment. What did you say?"</p> + +<p>Tom started, and felt very foolish. Fortunately Annie Newton came in +from a walk at this moment, and hearing voices in the kitchen, looked +in to ask him how he liked his book.</p> + +<p>"Pretty well, thank you," he stammered out, but seemed so uncomfortable +that she did not venture to ask a second question.</p> + +<p>Every half hour that passed made Tom more miserable. He wished that he +could break his rash promise, but he dare not, for he knew that Dick +would be noisy if so treated. When the clock chimed a quarter to ten, +he left his bed, and made his way into the kitchen.</p> + +<p>He was not a coward by nature, but the sense of wrong-doing sometimes +makes the stoutest heart fail. A mouse nibbled in the wainscot as +he passed, and frightened him so much that he broke out into a cold +perspiration. The moonlight streamed in over the top of the shutters, +and reflected his own shadow on the wall, and he trembled. Still he +went forward, and unfastened the shutter gently, just in time to see +Dick glide up the garden, under the shelter of the wall. He had entered +through the fields, which extended for some distance, and were only +separated from the garden by a low hedge.</p> + +<p>The window was soon unbolted, and in a few moments Dick was standing in +the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad to be here," he said, "so very glad! You're a good fellow, +Tom. Let me go to bed at once, and mind you wake me early to-morrow. +I'm sure to sleep on, for I am so tired."</p> + +<p>"I don't know how you're to get into my bed; it's scarcely big enough +for one," whispered Tom.</p> + +<p>"Let me stay here. The floor will do me. Show me where you sleep."</p> + +<p>"Follow me," replied Tom. "But come very gently."</p> + +<p>The two boys groped their way to the staircase. Dick had a box of +lucifers with him, and a candle, which he lighted, for Miss Pringle +took good care that Tom should not be supplied with either article.</p> + +<p>"I see there's only just room for one," said Dick, after he had looked +into the hole which Miss Pringle called a bedroom. "I'd just as soon +be in the kitchen. You go to bed now, and I'll come to you if I wake +first; but I daresay I shall sleep latest."</p> + +<p>Tom returned to his bed somewhat comforted. Dick behaved so well that +he was almost glad he had let him in, and perhaps no harm would come of +it. He listened for a few minutes, to assure himself that all was still +ere he fell asleep.</p> + +<p>Dick could hardly have explained the reason why he was so anxious to +make his way into Miss Pringle's house, beyond it being a cheap mode of +getting a roof over his head for the night; and he liked the fun and +excitement of it. He was about to settle himself for the night, when he +heard a great noise overhead, which startled Miss Pringle as much as +Dick, so fearful was she of exciting suspicion; in her passage to the +cupboard, she had tumbled over a chair.</p> + +<p>"What can the old maid be after?" he thought. "I'll go and see."</p> + +<p>He soon slipped off his boots, and crept up the stairs. He looked +through the keyhole, and was astonished at the sight it revealed. +Miss Pringle was sitting on chair facing the door, so that he could +see every movement. Having assured herself that no alarm was raised, +she turned a number of sovereigns out of a stocking into her lap, +and having counted them carefully, returned them one by one into the +stocking, and deposited the stocking in a wooden box. She managed to +do this so quietly that he scarcely heard the chink of money. There +was no sound in the house, save the regular breathing of one asleep +in the lodger's room, so Dick kept his post until he had mastered the +spinster's secret, and learned that the bandbox in her cupboard did not +contain her best bonnet.</p> + +<p>He returned to the kitchen as quietly as he had left it, and lay down +on the hard floor. It was a long time before he could forget himself in +sleep. At last it came, but there was little refreshment in it, for he +dreamed of gold, gold, nothing but gold. He was reaching out his hand +to grasp the coveted treasure when Tom shook him.</p> + +<p>"Get up, Dick," he said; "you must be off, or she'll see you. You've +been moaning so, I was afraid you'd be heard. You've been dreaming +hard."</p> + +<p>"I think I have," answered Dick, rubbing his eyes, and gradually +awaking to a sense of passing events.</p> + +<p>"Be quick and go. I don't want to get into a scrape," urged Tom.</p> + +<p>Dick was soon ready, and Tom was extremely relieved when he lost sight +of him.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_10">CHAPTER X.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>THE EXCURSION TO LOCKSTONE.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>DICK returned to Norton Island that afternoon, and went to work at the +quarries on the following morning. He thought of nothing all day but +the bright sovereigns he had seen Miss Pringle handle so carefully. If +he had so many, how he would enjoy himself; money commanded everything, +and it was hard that so much should lie idle at the top of an old +woman's cupboard. At last, he envied Tom his situation, for if he had +lived with Miss Pringle, he might have had some chance of getting at +her hoard. Yet Dick knew there was only one way of possessing it, and +that was to steal. He did not want to risk imprisonment, but if sure +of escaping detection, he would have been glad enough to get the money +into his hands.</p> + +<p>When Saturday came, he resolved to go to Dixtown. Tom would shelter him +again. He could be persuaded to do anything.</p> + +<p>"And if," said Dick to himself, "if I see my way clear to turn him out, +and turn myself in, I'll do it."</p> + +<p>As his plans were uncertain, he told his stepmother that there was no +chance of work at the quarries for a week, so he meant to try after a +job at Dixtown harbour, and might be absent several days.</p> + +<p>It was late in the afternoon before Dick was able to get a lift over +to Dixtown. Just as he reached the High Street, he spied Tom in the +distance, who had been to the grocer's for his mistress.</p> + +<p>"How lucky I am to come across you so soon," said Dick, tapping his +friend on the shoulder. "I'm here on purpose to see you."</p> + +<p>Tom did not appear very glad to meet Dick. "I thought you'd got a +situation," he said.</p> + +<p>"It ended in smoke. I've been home, but felt so dull without you, +I've come back. We'll have an afternoon together to-morrow, and go to +Lockstone to fish. The tide will just suit for us to walk there and +back on the sands. I'll sleep in the kitchen to-night as I did before."</p> + +<p>Tom's face fell. "I can't let you in again, Dick," he said, but in a +hesitating tone of voice. "I really can't, it's so risky; and I daren't +go out with you to-morrow, for if we were to be late home, Miss Pringle +would send me away."</p> + +<p>"Stuff, Tom, as if a boy like you, who knows every turn of the tide, +is likely to be late. They say Lockstone is splendid, and it's quite a +short walk by the sands; and it's a new place for both of us. You will +enjoy a run after being shut up all the week."</p> + +<p>Dick could act the part of tempter to perfection, and Tom was not +proof against his wiles. "If I was sure we should get home in time, I +shouldn't mind going," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Of course you will; I'll take good care of that."</p> + +<p>"But I can't let you sleep in the kitchen, Dick, even if I do go to +Lockstone."</p> + +<p>"What nonsense, Tom, I think you're turning quite silly. Expect me at +ten o'clock," and Dick walked quickly away in an opposite direction.</p> + +<p>The above conversation gave him food for thought. It was evident that +Tom was afraid of forfeiting his place if he were after time on Sunday +evening. Why could he not devise some means to keep him out so late +that Miss Pringle would dismiss him, and then he might apply for the +situation?</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Tom admitted him as before, but this time they were in fear of +detection, for Dick stumbled and fell, and the noise he made must have +been heard by Miss Pringle, had she not at that moment been standing +on a high stool inside the cupboard. Tom shook in every limb, and even +his companion was frightened. They listened for some minutes, but all +was perfectly still, so Tom went to his bed, and Dick pretended to lie +down. The latter made several attempts to go up-stairs, but every time +he came near to Tom, he heard him moving, so he dare not; and when he +felt that he might venture because Tom was snoring, all was dark and +still in Miss Pringle's room.</p> + +<p>Tom breathed a sigh of relief when Dick was out of the house next +morning; but he no longer had misgivings about the excursion to +Lockstone, for his friend had dilated on their prospective enjoyment +until he fully entered into the plan. He was well pleased, too, that +Dick did not ask him if he might sleep there a second night; he had +said at parting, "I shan't come again Tom, for I see it worries you. I +think I know a fellow who will give me a bed, just for once."</p> + +<p>Tom accompanied his mistress to church, but his thoughts were at +Lockstone, and occupied in making arrangements which had reference +to his afternoon outing. He was a little puzzled to make up his mind +whether he had better tell Mother Crampton he was engaged to Dick and +could not stay tea with her, or make an excuse when he saw her. He +decided on the latter course.</p> + +<p>So soon as dinner was over, he went to his room and put on his +every-day suit quietly. Then taking his cap, he walked down the passage +to the front door without going into the kitchen again.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle heard him, and called out, "Mind you're home punctually, +Tom."</p> + +<p>To which he replied, "I'll be here."</p> + +<p>"You're very exact to time," said Dick, who was waiting just out of +sight. "I've brought a net with me, for we may as well catch some fish, +and I begged a loaf in case we should be hungry, from a fisherman I +know."</p> + +<p>The day was warm and fine, and when the boys were fairly on the way +their spirits rose, and they laughed and talked gaily. Though the tide +was running out, they had to climb over high boulders, and scale deep +pools in order to get along. Lockstone Point was about two miles from +Dixtown; it ran out for some distance into the sea, and was formed of +rocks of all shapes and sizes, tilted up on edge. Some of them made +little islands, round which the waves splashed and foamed, and all of +them were thickly covered with mussels, while the deep pools were rich +in corallines, anemones, sea-weed, and crustacea of every description.</p> + +<p>Tom forgot it was Sunday, forgot his conversation with Mother Crampton, +forgot that he was tying, and not untying, knots, forgot all but a +sense of intense enjoyment at once more returning to his old life.</p> + +<p>It was five o'clock before they reached the Point, for they loitered by +the way, trying to catch shrimps and turning over the great jelly fish +that were strewn about the sands. At Lockstone, they found full grown +crabs, and netted so many prawns in the pools that they each had enough +tied up in their pocket-handkerchiefs to furnish a large dish.</p> + +<p>"We mustn't stay here too long," said Tom. "I think we'd really better +be off now. We shall have nice time to get up the cliffs by the pathway +yonder, and home by the lanes, without hurrying ourselves."</p> + +<p>"We've lots of time to walk by the shore," replied Dick.</p> + +<p>"I tell you I'd rather not venture," answered Tom.</p> + +<p>"And I tell you it's nonsense. I hate the lanes; there's nothing to do; +and there's no end of amusement by the sea. Come along, I'll lead the +way."</p> + +<p>Tom thought it looked very tempting.</p> + +<p>"Be quick," shouted Dick. "There's plenty of time if you come directly. +The tide isn't nearly up."</p> + +<p>Still Tom hesitated, but finally allowed himself, as usual, to be led +as his companion willed.</p> + +<p>"All right," he said, "but mind I'm going ahead. I'm not going to stop +and dawdle about."</p> + +<p>Dick allowed him to have his way until he had passed one or two +difficulties in the shape of jutting points of rock, which were covered +by the waves at high water; and then he began to call Tom's attention +to one object after another. At length, they reached a cave with a deep +pool in it, and a narrow ledge of rock on either side.</p> + +<p>"Let's go along here," said Dick; "we shall find plenty of crabs in the +crevices of the rock."</p> + +<p>Tom had not noticed the cave on the way to Lockstone, and it offered +great attractions to him, so he walked along the narrow ledge, followed +by his friend. When they had penetrated so far in as was prudent, and +were turning round to go back again, Dick, apparently by accident, +but really intentionally, tripped him up and sent him sprawling into +the water. He had some difficulty in scrambling out again, and was +thoroughly wet through.</p> + +<p>Dick pretended to be very sorry, and helped him to take off his coat +and waistcoat. The tide was coming in faster than either of them knew. +Dick only discovered it just in time to warn Tom, and drag him, coat +and waistcoat in hand, on to a place of safety, when a great wave +dashed in, and covered the ledge on which they had been standing five +minutes before.</p> + +<p>"We're well out of that," exclaimed Dick. "I don't know where it would +have swept us to."</p> + +<p>The boys were now on a rock out of reach of the water; it was a point +rarely covered, except in time of storm, and it stood at the base of a +perpendicular cliff.</p> + +<p>"Here's a pretty go," called out Tom, who had been looking anxiously, +first on one side, and then on the other. "I believe we're tide-bound."</p> + +<p>"That we are," answered his companion. "We certainly can't pass the +next point. I don't care about myself, but I'm sorry for you, because +of Miss Pringle." And Dick really looked quite vexed, though he was +secretly rejoicing over the great success of his plan.</p> + +<p>Tom's face expressed his disappointment. "How stupid I was not to go +straight up from Lockstone," he said. "It's your fault, Dick, for +persuading me to come back by the shore."</p> + +<p>"It's yours, Tom, for you fell into the pool, and hindered our getting +on."</p> + +<p>Nothing was to be gained by quarrelling, for it was impossible to pass +the points on either side, and there was no way up the cliff between +Lockstone and a fishing village close to Dixtown, so Tom was obliged to +wait.</p> + +<p>"Don't put on your coat, old fellow," said Dick. "Dry it now. I +declare, here's a tiny cave just below; let's creep into it, and sleep +here."</p> + +<p>"No, that I won't," answered Tom, resolutely. "I'm sure it isn't eight +o'clock; by ten the tide may have turned enough for us to get on again."</p> + +<p>"Miss Pringle will never let you in. Fancy her sitting up for you."</p> + +<p>"I'll try at any rate, whatever you may say," replied Tom, angrily.</p> + +<p>"Don't put yourself into a temper," retorted Dick. "You shall have your +own way; but I say she won't let you in."</p> + +<p>It was after midnight when they reached Dixtown. They were far out in +their calculations of the tide, for they really knew nothing of the +state of the shore on that side of the bay.</p> + +<p>Dick accompanied Tom to Miss Pringle's house, and waited to see if he +could gain admission. He knocked once, twice, and thrice, before Mr. +Newton opened his window, and said, "I'm sorry I can't let you in, but +Miss Pringle has forbidden it."</p> + +<p>"Come along, we shall find an empty boat by the harbour, Tom. It's no +use attempting to get in anywhere. It won't be the first time in your +life that you've slept in the open air."</p> + +<p>And Dick led the way, followed by his crest-fallen companion.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_11">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>HOW TOM FARED.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>TOM was very miserable when he awoke. Dick was not by his side, and he +had evidently slept until a late hour. He tried to rouse himself and +stand up, but he felt very weak and ill. He was sitting with his head +between his hands, thinking of the last night's catastrophe, when Dick +appeared, carrying a bundle. The boys had not slept in a boat, but +under an archway in the cliff.</p> + +<p>"Tom, old boy," said his friend, "I've been doing my best for you. I +woke up early, and as you were still asleep, I thought I'd do you a +good turn with Miss Pringle, so I went to her and said I was to blame +for taking you out, and I asked her to forgive you this once. Then I +told her how sorry you were, and how the state of the tide deceived us +both."</p> + +<p>"Well, what did she say?" asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"She won't take you back on no account. She made me wait while she +packed your clothes, and told me to tell you that you'd better go home."</p> + +<p>"I'll never do that," replied Tom, angrily; "but I wish, Dick, you'd +minded your own business, and left me to manage mine."</p> + +<p>"I do call that unkind. It's not like you, Tom; but it never answers to +help a fellow out of a scrape."</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go and beg her pardon, at any rate. Don't you be vexed, +Dick; I suppose you meant to be kind. Give me a helping hand."</p> + +<p>When Tom stood up, he was so giddy that he was glad to lie down again.</p> + +<p>"I can't go," he said, piteously, "I feel so ill. Mother is going to +Miss Pringle this morning with my clothes; ask her to come here."</p> + +<p>Dick was very glad to be thus dismissed in order to escape further +questioning from Tom.</p> + +<p>And now we must inform our readers of the substance of the conversation +which took place between him and the spinster, when he went, as he +said, to do his friend a good turn.</p> + +<p>He had waited until the harbour clock struck six, and, rejoicing that +Tom still slept, he ran to Miss Pringle's house. She was sweeping her +shop, and grumbling meanwhile at having to do it herself.</p> + +<p>Dick rang the outside bell.</p> + +<p>She went hastily to the door, her face wearing its most severe +expression; and, to her astonishment, she saw a strange boy. Miss +Pringle had resolved to keep Tom for the six months. In many respects +he suited her, and she had even once or twice entertained the idea +of giving him a shilling a week at the end of half a year, for he +appeared, on the whole, to fit in better than any boy she had had +before; but Tom must show signs of repentance, and be severely punished +for his disobedience. She considered turning him adrift into the +streets for the night would be wholesome discipline; and hence she told +Annie not to admit him if he knocked and rang twenty times, for he +should never enter her house again.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" Miss Pringle asked, when she saw the strange boy at her +door.</p> + +<p>"I'm Tom Gillies' friend," said Dick. "I've called for his clothes; he +ain't coming back again; he don't take to the baking business."</p> + +<p>"Impertinent boy!" exclaimed the spinster, angrily. "How dare he treat +me so rudely! I'll complain to his mother."</p> + +<p>"They can't do nothing with him at home," said Dick, in a plausible +tone. "He didn't ought to behave so to you. I'm sure other boys would +be glad to live here."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," replied Miss Pringle. "I really cannot understand Tom; he +mentioned nothing to me about leaving yesterday."</p> + +<p>"He was so angry because you didn't let him in last night, and made +him sleep under the archway; he says it was barbarous of you, and you +oughtn't to have treated him so badly."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's the way he talks about his wicked behaviour; he wishes to +turn the tables on me, I suppose. You may take his clothes away; but +it's very annoying to be left without a boy."</p> + +<p>"I suppose I shouldn't do?" said Dick, looking very humble. "I should +like to live with you."</p> + +<p>"What's your name?"</p> + +<p>"Dick Potter. I come from Norton Island."</p> + +<p>"If I take you, I must learn something about your parents. I have known +Mrs. Gillies for many years, but I do not know your mother."</p> + +<p>"I haven't got a mother of my own," said Dick, rubbing his eyes with +the back of his hand. "Mother died years ago, and father's married +again, and there's a lot of children at home."</p> + +<p>"When could you come to me?"</p> + +<p>"To-day; for I'm sure Mr. Pender would let me off at once. I only get +odd jobs to do at the quarries, and I do want reg'lar work."</p> + +<p>"If you live with me, you will have to work hard; I cannot have lazy +people here. Tom did his work well if he liked. Are you certain he sent +you for his clothes?"</p> + +<p>"Quite certain, Miss Pringle. If you'd heard what shameful language he +used about you, I'm sure you'd have sent them away, even if I hadn't +come after them."</p> + +<p>"I thought you were his friend," said the spinster, sharply.</p> + +<p>"So I am, for we've been brought up together, I might almost say; but, +for all that, I like justice to be done to people who's as kind to 'em +as you've been to Tom."</p> + +<p>Time was fast slipping away, and Miss Pringle had to bake her bread; +she had hoped Tom would return in time to light the fire.</p> + +<p>"Wait a moment while I fetch the clothes," she said, "for I must make +my bread at once, or I shall be behind all day."</p> + +<p>She went to the drawers, and then discovered that Tom had worn his +every-day suit.</p> + +<p>"Deceitful boy!" she muttered. "He must have been bent on mischief or +he would not have changed his clothes secretly. I'm sure he's no loss."</p> + +<p>"There is the bundle," she said, giving it to Dick; "if you like to +take it to Tom, and return to me, I will see how you can work."</p> + +<p>"I shan't be long," replied Dick.</p> + +<p>Soon after the bundle of clothes was despatched, Mrs. Gillies called +to see her son, and heard an exaggerated account of his behaviour from +Miss Pringle. She scarcely heeded her last words, "I've got another +boy in his place," but started away to find Tom, for the spinster +could give her no information as to his whereabouts. She met Dick, who +directed her, but he did not tell her whither he was going, and she was +so full of seeking for Tom, she did not remark on the strangeness of +meeting him in the town at that early hour.</p> + +<p>"A pretty state of things!" she said, angrily, when she found her son. +"You'll ruin yourself, Tom, and your father will be terribly vexed. I +don't know what to do with you. I suppose you must go back home with +me. Will is coming over in his boat at two o'clock, so get up and don't +lie idly there. I'll ask Mother Crampton to let you sit in her chimney +corner until I'm ready, and the boat's here."</p> + +<p>Tom tried to rise, but could not steady himself without his mother's +help, he was so stiff and giddy.</p> + +<p>"Here's a bad boy come to sit in your kitchen, Mother Crampton," said +Mrs. Gillies, dragging her son in. "He's been up to some of his old +games, and Miss Pringle's sent him off."</p> + +<p>Tom looked so miserable that the Dame made no remark. She had imagined +something was amiss when he did not keep his appointment on the +previous afternoon.</p> + +<p>"He's welcome to stay here," she replied.</p> + +<p>"Then I'm off," said Mrs. Gillies. "I shall be back long before two +o'clock. Sit by the fire, Tom, and don't stand shivering there."</p> + +<p>Mother Crampton had no time to ask any questions for the first hour; +but when her bed was made, and her room tidied, she put the breakfast +things on a round table near the fire, with a loaf and butter.</p> + +<p>Tom sat with his head in his hands, and took no notice; he felt very +much ashamed, and fancied he was very ill.</p> + +<p>"Come, my boy, cheer up," said Mother Crampton; "drink a cup of tea, +eat the thin slice of bread and butter I'm cutting for you, and then +tell me all about yesterday."</p> + +<p>By degrees she drew from Tom the history of his Sunday excursion with +Dick, and why he had not come to see her.</p> + +<p>"I'm very sorry to hear all this," she remarked, when he ceased +speaking. "Oh, Tom, you've been tying and not untying knots all the +week. I did so hope you were going to turn over a new leaf. I really am +very very much grieved and disappointed."</p> + +<p>Tom's tears began to fall fast. If Mother Crampton had scolded, he +could have borne it better than her kind, earnest words.</p> + +<p>"But it really was all Dick's fault," he sobbed. "I shouldn't have +thought about going to Lockstone if he hadn't asked me."</p> + +<p>"But not his fault that you yielded to the temptation. If you succumb +to every unholy influence that you meet with in this world, you will +heap up sorrow here and hereafter."</p> + +<p>"I never have been so wretched in all my life, except—" and Tom +stopped, for he thought of grandmother's cat, and this made him +remember that he was going home, and would see her. "I can't, I really +can't," he added aloud, "I can't go home, Mother Crampton, for she—I +mean, they'll all be so angry with me."</p> + +<p>"You must bear it as part of the punishment you have brought on +yourself. You are not well enough to take another situation directly; +but I will promise you, that if at the end of a week, I hear a good +character of you, and your cold is gone, you shall come and stay here +until I find you something to do."</p> + +<p>Tom's eyes brightened. "That'll make them kinder to me," he said. +"Father told me never to show my face there again if I didn't stay with +Miss Pringle; but perhaps he won't be so angry if I tell him what you +say."</p> + +<p>"Deeds, not words, my boy," said Mother Crampton, drinking her last cup +of tea. "I'll step over the way, for I fancy neighbour Driver may want +a boy to help in his bakehouse."</p> + +<p>Tom's face fell. "I'd rather be anything than a baker's boy," he +exclaimed.</p> + +<p>Then checking himself, he added, "I'll do my best to be good. If only +Dick Potter will keep clear of me, I shan't mind. Miss Pringle will +tell you that I tried hard to please her, though once or twice I was +very wicked," for Tom remembered the peach and apples.</p> + +<p>"You must try and be good, Tom, because you serve a great King. It's +no use for you to think that you'll be different if away from Dick's +influence; you must pray that strength may come to enable you to endure +temptation, as a good soldier of Christ."</p> + +<p>Mother Crampton had put away her last tea-cup when a tap came at her +door; the latch was lifted up, and a fresh-coloured woman with a +good-natured face looked in.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Mother," she said, in a friendly, cheery voice. "I've +just stepped over to tell you that my Jack has given us up, for he's +had an offer to better himself in a gentleman's family; so if you hear +of a steady boy who'll ride our horses, and take out the vegetables, I +shall be glad. I'd rather not have a Dixtown boy, for I don't want him +to be running off home at all hours. He must sleep under the counter, +and do any odd jobs that are wanted. He's treated like one of the +family if he behaves himself. I can't stay, for there's nobody to mind +the shop." And, without adding another word, Mrs. Jones closed the door.</p> + +<p>Tom had risen in his excitement, and he looked very wistful. "Oh, +Mother Crampton, do you think she'd have me? I will try so hard to +please her, she's so different from Miss Pringle," he said.</p> + +<p>"It really does seem a lucky thing, and, yet there's no such thing as +luck, Tom," replied the old woman, thoughtfully. "I believe, my dear, +it's God helping you. I'll go and say a word for you at once."</p> + +<p>The boy sat in great anxiety, and thought Mother Crampton would never +come back. She and her opposite neighbour were on very friendly terms. +Mrs. Jones was a young married woman with two children. Her husband +kept a greengrocer's shop, and had six bathing machines besides. +She superintended the shop in the morning when the bathing season +commenced, while Mr. Jones and his boy were attending to the bathers. +They had a good vegetable and fruit garden one mile out of Dixtown, +but they lived over the shop. They were kind-hearted, honest, and +hard-working people, who highly appreciated good Mother Crampton.</p> + +<p>The dame did not find it very difficult to induce Mrs. Jones to give +Tom a trial, though she told her much of his past history.</p> + +<p>"I'd take him to please you," said the greengrocer's wife; "send him +over here at one o'clock, husband will be at home then."</p> + +<p>Tom almost forgot his illness and misery when Mother Crampton returned +with such good news. He brushed his hair, and washed his hands, and +waited anxiously for one o'clock to strike.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jones was pleased with him, he appeared so desirous of finding a +situation, and answered the questions he was asked in a straightforward +manner; so he was engaged to come for a month on trial, at the rate of +three shillings a week, and his food and lodging.</p> + +<p>It seemed like a fortune to Tom.</p> + +<p>"Mind, boy," said Mr. Jones as he was leaving, "I won't have +yesterday's behaviour repeated. Mother Crampton has told my missus all +about it. If you play truant, I'll turn you out neck and crop—no Sunday +gadding here. We treat our boy well, and expect him to attend church, +and walk out with us and the children on fine afternoons. You may go +over and see Mother Crampton sometimes; and I'll give you a holiday +home from Saturday until Monday once in six months."</p> + +<p>Tom could only keep reiterating, "Thank you, sir," and pulling the +front lock of big hair, until it was a wonder he did not pull it out.</p> + +<p>"When shall I be wanted?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Let's see—Jack goes on Monday. Come a week to-morrow," answered Mr. +Jones.</p> + +<p>"O Mother Crampton! How can I thank you enough?" said Tom, rushing into +the room. "I'm engaged, and I'm going to get three shillings a week. +Oh, how jolly! How jolly!"</p> + +<p>"You seem wonderful better," said Mrs. Gillies, whom Tom had not +perceived in his excitement.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" id="image006" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image006.jpg" alt="image006"> +</figure> +<p class="t4"> +<b>TOM RUNNING INTO OLD MOTHER CRAMPTON'S SHOP.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>"Yes, I am, mother, for I'm so happy. Only think—I'm to have three +shillings a week. Father won't be angry to see me." And he clapped his +hands and danced about with pleasure.</p> + +<p>Mother Crampton found an opportunity of whispering in his ear before he +left, "My boy, if you wish to show your gratitude to me, you will begin +to pray."</p> + +<p>"I promise you I will," replied Tom; and so they parted.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>"Hallo! How is it you're back, like a bad penny?" Will, who was waiting +at the harbour, asked his brother.</p> + +<p>"I'm only come for a holiday," said Tom, looking very red.</p> + +<p>"Has Miss Pringle been so handsome as to let you off so soon?"</p> + +<p>"Tom isn't going back to Miss Pringle," answered Mrs. Gillies. "He's +going to a place where he'll get good victuals and three shillings a +week."</p> + +<p>Mother Crampton had entreated her not to scold Tom.</p> + +<p>"Make the best of it," she said. "The boy has had a bad companion in +Dick Potter; let us see what we can do by treating him as if he were +not worse than others. I like him with all his faults, and I mean to be +his friend."</p> + +<p>Tom's appearance at home caused some excitement; but after his father +had heard his wife's version of the story, and his three elder brothers +had put their questions, he was allowed to remain in peace, and +thoroughly enjoyed the tea and fish, of which the whole family partook. +He was telling them about his life with Miss Pringle, when three taps +came at the door which made his blood run cold, for they told him that +grandmother was there.</p> + +<p>She looked annoyed to see him. "Just as I expected," she said, +contemptuously. "You'll never stay anywhere. You're a bad, worthless +boy."</p> + +<p>"Gently, gently, granny," said Mrs. Gillies. "Tom has come home for a +holiday. He's bettered himself, and is going to live with Mr. Jones, +the green-grocer, now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's it, is it? Well, it doesn't matter to me where he goes, so +that he isn't idling about the island with Dick Potter. I called to see +if one of the boys would come over to-morrow morning. I've had a willow +given to me for poor Tabby's grave—" and here the old woman's voice +trembled a little—"and I want it planted, and the fuchsia that's there +now put in the garden."</p> + +<p>"I'll come in the evening," said Will, "but I shan't have time in the +morning. We go away fishing first thing."</p> + +<p>"I daresay the evening will do just as well," replied granny, "for +the tree has a good root; it won't die if it's left out of the ground +another day."</p> + +<p>"May I come to you in the morning?" Tom ventured to say. "I can dig as +well as the boys."</p> + +<p>"'You!'" exclaimed old Mrs. Gillies, in a voice that stung Tom. "As +if I should ask you to do anything for me. Will, do not forget your +promise. Good-bye all."</p> + +<p>"Granny will never like you, Tom, that's quite certain," remarked +Harry, rising from the table as he spoke. "Come, Will, we must see to +our nets, and get ready for to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Tom was miserable again. He followed his mother into the kitchen, and +said, "I'll go to bed, for I feel as if I were beginning to shiver +again."</p> + +<p>"I would if I were you," she answered, kindly. "A long night will do +you a deal of good."</p> + +<p>Tom prayed his first earnest prayer before he undressed. The words he +said were somewhat rambling, but they came from his heart. Then he +crept into his corner of the room, and was soon so fast asleep, that he +did not hear his little brothers come to bed.</p> + +<p>The next morning he felt much better, and could not resist a great +desire that possessed him to see Tabby's grave; yet he did not wish to +meet his grandmother.</p> + +<p>He walked along the shore so as not to be seen approaching by her, +and clambered up the cliff close to the door of the cottage; but his +precautions availed nothing, for granny caught sight of him, and called +out, "What are you prowling about here for, Tom? You never do any one +credit. It shows how bad you are, for Miss Pringle to send you away and +take Dick in your place."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Tom in astonishment. "Who told you Dick was +going to live with Miss Pringle?"</p> + +<p>"He told me so himself last night. I met him on my way home after I'd +seen you. He came over to fetch his clothes. I heard a few things about +you from him."</p> + +<p>"I'll fight him for telling lies. I know he's played me false," said +Tom; and, without waiting to think, he ran off to find his former +friend.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Potter was busy washing when Tom entered her cottage, and asked, +in a very unceremonious manner, "Where's Dick?"</p> + +<p>"Gone to his new situation. How was it you didn't suit Miss Pringle, +Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I did suit her until Dick interfered," replied the lad, more quietly, +for Mrs. Potter had asked the question very kindly.</p> + +<p>"I hope you will soon find another place."</p> + +<p>"I've got one already," replied Tom, and his face cleared. "I'm glad +not to go back and live with Miss Pringle; but I hate to be so badly +treated as Dick's treated me."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Potter would have probably encouraged Tom to give his version of +the story had she not been very busy and really intensely relieved to +think that her stepson had gone to live a little distance off.</p> + +<p>Tom had so much food for thought, he forgot all about his desire to see +Tabby's grave, and sat on a rock wondering how ever Dick managed to +ingratiate himself into Miss Pringle's good graces.</p> + +<p>"If I find he's played me false, I'll fight him, that I will," he said, +aloud.</p> + +<p>"And tie another knot," Tom seemed to hear.</p> + +<p>"No, I won't do that," he said, as if answering some one who spoke. +"I'll pray instead. After all, I've got the best of the bargain, and +I know I don't deserve it. How I wish I was good, like Miss Annie and +Mother Crampton."</p> + +<p>When Tom returned home, he found his sister alone, for the little ones +were at school, and his mother gone to Dixtown. They had a long talk +together, and Sally was deeply interested in all that he told her about +his new friends; he read to her the chapter from "Come to Jesus," +entitled, "Ye who are Young, Come," and she said she should remember +the words about tying fresh knots.</p> + +<p>"I'll buy you a book like mine, Sally," said Tom, "as soon as I get my +first wages, and I mean to buy myself a Bible. Have you got one?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, of course I have; don't you remember I had it for a prize from +Mr. Pender while I was at school."</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Mrs. Gillies returned from Dixtown late in the afternoon, and found +Tom sitting quietly at home, telling his little brothers and sisters a +story.</p> + +<p>"What do you say to Dick having gone to live with Miss Pringle?" she +asked him.</p> + +<p>"He's played me false, mother; but, after all, he's done me good. Have +you spoken to him?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I have. He looks very meek indeed; and Miss Pringle says she +never had such a boy; but new brooms sweep clean. Dick has only been +tried for a few hours. He sent his love to you."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather not have it. Did you tell him, mother, I'd got another +situation?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I couldn't help it."</p> + +<p>"What did he say?"</p> + +<p>"Not much; but I thought he looked rather vexed when he heard you were +to have three shillings a week."</p> + +<p>"I'm off to grandmother, Tom," said Will, looking in at the door. "You +may as well come and help me."</p> + +<p>Tom was glad to accompany his brother, though granny scowled when she +saw him.</p> + +<p>"I want his help," explained Will.</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well," she replied, "then I've nothing more to say. I know +it seems nonsense to you for me to make all this fuss about a cat's +grave," she continued, when Will began removing the shells; "but I +loved Tabby so much. I declare I looked for her to meet me just as your +mother looks out for you. A lone woman takes to dumb animals. I never +returned home without wondering if she was watching for me to come."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you get another, granny?" asked Will.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather not. I don't want to love another as I loved poor Tabby."</p> + +<p>Tom felt very guilty, and was thoroughly glad when all was in order +again. He applied himself to place the shells with such exactness that +he won thanks from grandmother on leaving.</p> + +<p>"I can't have the big knot I tied when I killed Tabby for ever on my +shoulders," he thought, when he was alone. "I'll make up my mind to +buy grandmother a handsome kitten with my first wages, and it shall +have a red collar. I'll tell Mother Crampton, that I will, and ask her +opinion. Perhaps she'll advise me to confess to granny how wicked I +have been; but I don't know how I ever shall, for she downright hates +me now."</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_12">CHAPTER XII.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>QUITE BLIND.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>WHILE the events we have narrated in the last two chapters occurred, +Annie Newton was passing through deep waters. Her father's health, as +we know, had been declining for some time, and his eyesight was sorely +affected. She would have entered into the question of Tom's dismissal +with more earnestness, had she been differently situated; but on the +very Monday when Dick acted so falsely, Mr. Newton awoke to blindness.</p> + +<p>"Annie, child," he called from his bed, "I can't see this morning."</p> + +<p>The young girl was quickly at his side. "What is the matter, papa?" she +asked, for she only heard the accents of pain, but did not distinguish +the words.</p> + +<p>"I'm blind—I can't see you, darling."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you will be better presently, papa," she replied. "I will get +breakfast ready, and fetch you some warm water, and you shall bathe +your eyes."</p> + +<p>She was soon on her way down-stairs, but found, to her discomfort, that +the kitchen fire was only just lighted, and that Miss Pringle was very +cross.</p> + +<p>"You must wait for your water, miss," she said. "It's too bad of Tom +Gillies to treat me like this. He's sent for his clothes, and won't +come back again."</p> + +<p>Annie was so pre-occupied that she scarcely noticed Miss Pringle's +remark about Tom, but answered, "Papa is so ill this morning that I +want to get him some breakfast at once."</p> + +<p>"The water will boil in five minutes. You must be patient, Miss Annie."</p> + +<p>"I suppose I must; but I am really very much troubled, Miss Pringle. I +shall return to papa, and come back again for my water."</p> + +<p>"She's only a child in behaviour, and ought to know better than be +so full of her own affairs, and never think of my worries," said the +spinster to herself. "I wonder if that new boy will suit me. It's +intensely vexing, to be sure, to be left in this manner by Tom. I +really began to like him."</p> + +<p>And Miss Pringle vented her spleen on the chairs and tables, and +knocked and thumped her furniture, and banged the doors, and poked the +fire noisily. She was glad to see Dick; and he set to work so heartily +that he soon made up for lost time.</p> + +<p>When Annie came down the second time, he was receiving orders from +his mistress. She could not help noticing his face—it struck her as +so opposite to Tom's; but she asked no questions then, for her father +appeared so prostrate, she scarcely liked to leave him for a few +minutes.</p> + +<p>He seemed better able to talk after he had taken a cup of tea, and +called her to his side.</p> + +<p>"I'm quite blind, Annie, darling," he murmured. "Quite blind; it's come +at last. God help you!" And he sobbed, as only a man can sob when hope +dies out for the moment, and he thinks of those whose lives depend on +his exertions for support.</p> + +<p>Annie came to her father's side. "Papa, dear, God will help us—we shall +not be left," she said.</p> + +<p>"I'm so disappointed, child. I felt so much better yesterday, and yet I +knew it must come at last. How I shall miss the blue sky and the fields +and trees. But I must not forget; there is a land beyond, where I shall +see again."</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear father, try and think of that land, and then you will have +strength to bear anything that comes."</p> + +<p>"Draw nearer to me, Annie; put your face between my hands; let me know +your features by feeling them. I did so love to look at you."</p> + +<p>"I will try very hard to be eyes to you, papa. I will take you out, and +tell you about everything I see. I can pick up the shells we require +quite well now."</p> + +<p>"Ah! That is another trouble, dearest. We have only two more boxes to +sell."</p> + +<p>"But I can arrange others, papa. I know how to find all the shells, and +I can make the boxes. I shall always keep one as a pattern. We will go +to Mother Crampton presently, and take her a finished box."</p> + +<p>"Not to-day, dearest. I am too ill to leave the house."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall have time to complete a second this afternoon."</p> + +<p>The invalid sighed deeply, and his daughter left him for awhile to put +the rooms in order. Then she sat down by his side and arranged the +shells, chatting about indifferent things, and trying her best to cheer +him. At the same time, she felt a dull pain oppressing her, when she +pictured to herself her father depending on her efforts for support.</p> + +<p>When she was shut into her tiny room at night, she wept bitterly. So +soon as her tears were spent, she kneeled in prayer, and told out all +her fears and hopes to her Father in Heaven, until she was quite calm +and trustful again.</p> + +<p>"Why should I doubt God?" she asked herself. "He fed His people in the +wilderness, and He has fed us many times."</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Mr. Newton was less depressed next morning. "I am not so weak in body, +Annie," he said, when she asked him how he had passed the night, "and +my faith in God burns more brightly."</p> + +<p>"I am so very, very glad, papa!"</p> + +<p>"I wish you to carry two boxes to Mother Crampton this morning. Did you +finish a third yesterday?"</p> + +<p>"Not quite, but very nearly; it is far enough advanced to serve as a +pattern."</p> + +<p>Annie left the house just as Dick entered with his bundle.</p> + +<p>"That's my new boy, Miss," called the spinster from the shop.</p> + +<p>The young girl bent her head to Dick, but did not speak. She walked +quickly to Mother Crampton's, for she longed to tell her best friend +about her father.</p> + +<p>She met with the heartfelt sympathy she so much needed; and, at the +same time, she was braced up to endure her trouble.</p> + +<p>"It is good thing you are old enough to help your father," said the +dame; "there is mercy in that. Cheer up, deary; your invalid will grow +reconciled to his blindness as time goes on. God gives more of Himself +when He takes away outside props. He's been thinking of you already. +I sold a box of shells last evening, and I have an order for one more +at ten shillings, and two more at a guinea each. The gentleman who +requires them wants you to have them ready in a month, as they are for +birthday presents."</p> + +<p>Annie felt greatly comforted, and at last grew cheerful, for she was +encouraged to depend on her own exertions, and to have faith in God; +added to this, the order for the three boxes would bring in enough +money for several weeks' food and lodging. By degrees, she and Mother +Crampton conversed on other topics, and Tom was not forgotten among +them.</p> + +<p>"I know that I shall find he's been more sinned against than sinning," +remarked the dame. "I don't mean that he ought to have broken God's +day, but I'm sure Dick Potter has been his worst enemy, and led him +into evil."</p> + +<p>"Miss Pringle has a new boy," said Annie; "I saw him just now; but he +has not a pleasant face."</p> + +<p>"She has soon found a successor to Tom, then. I am very partial to that +lad, and am glad that he is going to live opposite, and with such good +people as Mr. and Mrs. Jones."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you managed to secure the situation for him? You are always +lending a helping hand, Mother Crampton. I am not the only one who has +to thank you for kindnesses. Now, I am going back to persuade papa to +take a walk with me, and I intend to be very bright, and not allow +myself to think how desolate I shall feel when I have to pick up shells +alone, and realise that papa will never accompany me again."</p> + +<p>"Be a brave little maiden, even if sad thoughts force themselves on +you. Should Tom Gillies turn out as well as I expect he will, I'm sure +he will be glad to help you; and I'm quite sure Mr. Jones will grant +him an occasional half-holiday for the purpose."</p> + +<p>"That is a famous idea," said Annie. "Mrs. Jones has always been very +kind to me, and I shall not mind asking a favour of her."</p> + +<p>In five minutes, Annie was home and standing by the invalid's side. +"Capital news, Papa," she said; then, noticing the traces of tears, she +continued, in an anxious tone, "you have been crying, father; oh do +not, please, do not fret. I have an order for three more boxes. Now, +come out for a walk—the air will refresh you." And she put his hat on +and led him gently to the door and down the stairs.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle brushed past them in the passage.</p> + +<p>Mr. Newton drew back. "Did I hurt you," he asked. "I am quite blind +now."</p> + +<p>"No—nothing to speak of," she replied, hastily.</p> + +<p>They walked slowly down the narrow pathway from the top of the cliff to +the sands, Annie going first and holding her father's hand.</p> + +<p>"How nicely you manage, papa," she said, "and how beautiful the air is; +already you are better. We will sit down, while I tell you how every +point looks, and which part is in shadow." She prattled on until Mr. +Newton was beguiled into asking questions, and forgot himself and his +sorrow for awhile.</p> + +<p>They remained out for more than an hour before he expressed a wish +to return. Their simple dinner over, Annie arranged her shells. She +was thus employed when a step was heard on the stairs, and Miss +Pringle tapped at the door. A visit from her never boded any good, but +generally heralded some unpleasantness.</p> + +<p>"I came to say, I'm sorry you've gone blind, Mr. Newton," she began. +"I'm sorry for two reasons—one for yourself, and the other because I'm +obliged to give you notice, that if my rent isn't paid regularly, I +can't keep you. I don't know how you'll live now, and I'm too poor to +let my rooms for nothing. I thought it was better to speak plainly and +come to some understanding."</p> + +<p>Mr. Newton looked very much pained. "If I fail in paying my rent, you +may complain," he said; "but I think it would have been better for you +to have waited until such was the case. My daughter can fit up the +boxes of shells almost as well as I can, and we have several orders to +execute. More I cannot say."</p> + +<p>Annie's face flushed crimson, and she felt inclined to answer, "You +cruel, unkind woman, how dare you behave thus?" But she restrained +herself, and only replied, "I shall manage the rent, Miss Pringle; you +may trust me."</p> + +<p>"Very well, miss, that's enough; but I must be just to myself and look +after my own interests, for I'm a lone woman," and the spinster left +the room.</p> + +<p>"Never mind her, papa!" exclaimed Annie. "We shall be as well off as +before; and I know God will take care of us. I only wish we could +change our lodging."</p> + +<p>"Better not, child; we know all the disagreeables we have to put up +with here."</p> + +<p>"Miss Pringle is not a happy woman, and she is really very hard by +nature, I do believe. How unkindly she behaves to her boys! I wonder if +the new one she has now is the Dick Potter that Mother Crampton says +has done so much harm, and been such a bad friend to Tom Gillies."</p> + +<p>"As if there were not two boys of the same name at Dixtown."</p> + +<p>"Still, papa, it is odd that he happens to be called Dick," persisted +Annie.</p> + +<p>Mr. Newton smiled at his daughter, and the conversation ended here.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_13">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>TOM'S FIRST WAGES.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>AT the close of Dick's first week with Miss Pringle, he had won a high +place in her opinion; but not so with Annie or her father, who were +duly informed by Mother Crampton of the cowardly part he had acted +towards Tom.</p> + +<p>Mr. Newton ventured to tell Miss Pringle she had done wrong when she +engaged Dick, which made her extremely angry, and very insolent to her +lodger, so sure was she that she had found a treasure.</p> + +<p>Dick had to gain an end, and was resolved to get possession of the +money he had seen counted almost every night since he came to live with +Miss Pringle; but his chance of appropriating it seemed very remote, +for the spinster kept her door so carefully locked. He heard her +enlarge on her poverty, and knew her words were false; and he began to +class her with himself, and to think he had a right to deceive her, as +she in her turn was deceiving others; so he stole her fruit and sweets, +and managed to thieve them so cleverly that she was not aware of the +fact. If he exceeded his usual number of drops, he put more flour +into the bottles, and gave short measure to the children who came to +the shop to spend their halfpennies; and he never carried apples out +without taking several of the best, nor sold peaches without adding +something to the price his mistress asked.</p> + +<p>It was on the first Sunday afternoon which Tom spent in Mr. Jones' +service that he met Dick; but before we describe the interview, we must +tell how Tom prospered.</p> + +<p>His holiday was a happy one, and he entered on his new situation with +a light and glad heart. Mr. Jones received him kindly, and so did his +wife. He passed his days thus:—He rose before five o'clock, and so soon +as he was dressed, he groomed and harnessed the old horse Tippler; then +he accompanied his master to the garden and helped him to cut fresh +vegetables and gather fruit. By half-past six they were back again, in +order to be ready to drive the machines down to the sea. Later on, Tom +returned to the shop, which he cleaned out, or carried the vegetables +round.</p> + +<p>In the evening, he took the children on the sands. Willy, the eldest, +was five, and he and Tom soon became fast friends. He was carrying +him when he met Dick; his master and mistress were sitting on a rock +with the baby a little distance off. Tom did not see his former friend +approaching, but when he heard the voice he knew so well, he turned +abruptly away.</p> + +<p>Dick was not to be shaken off easily. "Don't turn away, Tom, like +that," he whined; "think how many years we've been friends."</p> + +<p>"But we ain't friends now, and some day I mean to tell Miss Pringle the +whole truth."</p> + +<p>Dick would have liked to have knocked Tom down, but such behaviour +would, he knew, damage his cause, so he only whimpered, "Don't be hard +on me; I'm sure you've nothing to complain of; and getting a something +every week, and I nothing; why I really did you a good turn."</p> + +<p>"But you didn't mean to. If Mother Crampton hadn't helped me, I might +have gone my own way to the bad."</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow, you've tumbled on your legs, Tom, so do be friends. +You'll come and see me sometimes, and I'll try to run in and look at +you. I'm very lonely, and we used to be so fond of one another."</p> + +<p>"Master allows no visitors, and I know Miss Pringle doesn't; and I'm +very busy from morning till night; there's plenty for me to do," +replied Tom; "we shall meet out sometimes."</p> + +<p>"You're a lucky fellow to fall in with such nice people," replied Dick, +"and yet, on the whole, Miss Pringle doesn't behave badly to me. I went +to church with her this morning. I suppose she's not a rich woman, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"No, she can't be, or she wouldn't be always saying she was poor; but +she does a fair business, and, I'm sure, allows nothing to be wasted. I +suppose her profits ain't large."</p> + +<p>"Tom!" called his master at this moment. "We're moving."</p> + +<p>The lad responded to the call with a hasty "good-bye," to his former +companion.</p> + +<p>"I hate him," snarled Dick, walking slowly away in the opposite +direction.</p> + +<p>That evening, Tom went to see Mother Crampton, who was unwell. He heard +from her about Mr. Newton's blindness, and determined to try and help +Annie, with his master's permission, to find the shells she needed for +her boxes. They spoke of Dick, and the old lady warned him against +keeping up any acquaintance with his former companion.</p> + +<p>"I never mean to again," said Tom, with great self-assurance. "I'm not +to be caught so easily as I used to be."</p> + +<p>"Don't be too positive," answered the dame; and then she added so many +kind and loving words about God being the only refuge from temptation, +and the need of getting daily strength for daily need, by prayer, +that Tom's self-assurance vanished, and he told her about killing +grandmother's cat, and that he intended to buy a new kitten for her, +which was to have a red collar.</p> + +<p>"But you must tell your grandmother why you give her the present."</p> + +<p>"That's just what I expected you would say; but it will be hard work."</p> + +<p>"Not so hard as losing a cat. I'm indeed grieved for your poor +grandmother; lone people can't help loving dumb creatures very much."</p> + +<p>"But I did not mean to kill Tabby."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not; but you meant to do something to pay off old scores +according to your own confession. What else have you done wrong in, +Tom?"</p> + +<p>"I stole a peach from Miss Pringle, and a good many apples, and let +Dick in two nights. I do so wish I'd never done any of these wicked +things; for now I know better, I seem to have tied knots in all +directions, and I can't tell whenever they'll be untied. If I hadn't +them to weigh me down, how thankful I should be."</p> + +<p>"It's not too late to mend. You may untie the most difficult knots if +you will, by casting all your care on God, and asking that His Spirit +may teach you: tell grandmother the whole truth when you give her a new +pet, and wait for an opportunity of helping Miss Pringle, and then say +boldly to her why you wish to render her some service."</p> + +<p>"Even tell her about Dick Potter."</p> + +<p>"Yes, even that when the right time comes."</p> + +<p>Tom thought for a few moments ere he answered. "I really will conquer +myself in the way you've advised, Mother Crampton. I'll go on praying."</p> + +<p>"Then in the end, you will conquer, so I'm not afraid. But I should be +very sad if I felt you were going to try and reform yourself in your +own strength."</p> + +<p>"Thank you for all you've said," remarked Tom, when they had talked in +the same strain for another half hour. "You look tired, so I'll be off. +I shall run up to the Castle and then home."</p> + +<p>Tom found two friends on the castle-hill—Mr. Newton and his daughter. +As they were sitting on one of the wooden benches, he ventured to +approach them.</p> + +<p>"Here is Tom Gillies," said Annie to her father.</p> + +<p>"Ask him to come and tell me how he is getting on."</p> + +<p>Tom took the seat next to Mr. Newton, and related the history +of himself in his bluff, honest way; he also ventured to ask in +conclusion, "May I do anything for you, sir? I ain't got much time +to spare; but while the mornings are so light, I can be up first +thing—three o'clock isn't too soon for me."</p> + +<p>Mr. Newton was touched. "I thank you, Tom," he answered. "If my +daughter goes to pick up shells, you will be very useful; but I think I +must ask your master to grant you a half-holiday."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure he will!" exclaimed the boy. "I shall be proud to help Miss +Annie. I'll work off hours for master, to make up."</p> + +<p>"You're a kind-hearted lad," said Mr. Newton, adding, with a deep sigh, +"I am quite blind now, and that makes me so helpless about the shells. +It's hard work, but there is a good God over us all: He will care for +me and my child."</p> + +<p>Annie's eyes filled. "Don't think of me, father," she said, with an +effort to be cheerful; "remember I am very clever, and Mother Crampton +manages to sell the boxes as quickly as I fill them."</p> + +<p>"Bless you, my little daughter," said her father, tenderly. "Tom," he +added, earnestly, "serve God while you are young, and while you have +life and health. If I had not found rest in believing, I do not know +how I should have endured my affliction. Now, Annie, let us be moving."</p> + +<p>Tom accompanied his friends down the castle-hill, and then went +directly home.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>The days passed smoothly along, until the end of the first month, when +Mr. Jones paid Tom his wages. The boy felt very rich—twelve shillings +seemed an inexhaustable mine of wealth. He had laid it out many times +before he actually spent it. First, he agreed to give two shillings for +a kitten which had one of the finest tails ever seen, and two shillings +for a new red collar for Pussy. Then he had to purchase presents for +Sally and his younger brothers and sisters.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could manage to get a holiday from Saturday until Sunday +night, or Monday morning first thing," thought Tom. "I'd sooner pay a +shilling to get back, if Harry or Will ain't coming over. It's a deal +of money, but I want to settle up with grandmother, besides the kitten +and collar will be waiting. I'll ask master if I may go, and tell him +I shan't want a holiday in six months' time, if I may have one on +Saturday."</p> + +<p>On Wednesday morning Tom preferred his request, as he and Mr. Jones +drove to the market garden. He had carried his wages over to Mother +Crampton on the previous evening, and asked her to keep his money until +he knew whether he could be spared on Saturday.</p> + +<p>"Please, sir, I'm going to ask you a great favour. May I go home on +Saturday until Sunday night or Monday morning?"</p> + +<p>"What! Home-sick, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"No, master—not exactly."</p> + +<p>"Then I suppose you want to take your first earnings to your mother? +But no, it can't be that either, when Mrs. Gillies is so often over +here. Well, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"It's a great secret, sir, between me and Mother Crampton; but I'll +tell you if you promise to keep it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will promise."</p> + +<p>"I've seen a beautiful cat that I've said I'll buy for grandmother, and +I've ordered a red collar, and I want to take it to her."</p> + +<p>"Right, boy. You're good to remember the aged. Yes, you may go."</p> + +<p>Tom thought for the first moment that he would not undeceive his +master; then he felt that if he left Mr. Jones in ignorance of the +truth, he would be more troubled than if he told him everything—why +he bought the kitten, and why he wished to see his grandmother. His +anxiety to untie old knots and to tie no new ones made him stammer out, +"I don't deserve to be praised, sir, for I wronged grandmother; only I +didn't mean to do what I did."</p> + +<p>And here he stopped and looked so uncomfortable, that Mr. Jones said, +by way of encouragement—</p> + +<p>"I should like to hear your story, Tom, if you can trust me. I've had +troubles and temptations in my time, so perhaps I can help you."</p> + +<p>Mr. Jones was as simple and true in his religions beliefs as in his +dealings with men. He tried to be a Christian at all times; therefore +he was in a position to be a wise and efficient help to Tom at this +stage of his life's history. So the lad spoke openly to his master +about the past, nor did he conceal the struggle he had with himself +before he resolved to confess his wrong-doing to grandmother when he +gave her the kitten.</p> + +<p>"You'd but half do your work if you left your grandmother in ignorance +of the reason why you gave her a new cat. You shall have a holiday, +and I'll lend you that nice covered basket of mine to carry pussy in. +I say, go on and prosper. You shall leave on Saturday afternoon and +return on Monday; and if your brother's boat isn't coming, why, I'll go +shares in hiring one to bring you back."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you—thank you, sir. Now I am indeed happy. If only +grandmother isn't very angry and will forgive me, I shall be the +jolliest fellow living."</p> + +<p>"You must bear the old lady's anger, my boy; remember you deserve it. +You took her child when you killed her Tabby, and it's to be expected +that she'll feel indignant when she learns the truth. However, there's +one cure—that is in prayer. Pray without ceasing that all may be well, +and that her heart may be softened toward you."</p> + +<p>Tom was busy that week making his purchases. A third of this month's +wages were consumed by grandmother's present. The Bible he bought for +himself cost one shilling and sixpence; a yard of ribbon for Sally, +and the promised copy of "Come to Jesus," took another shilling and +penny; two shillings he reserved for his mother, who undertook to wash +and mend ins clothes at the rate of sixpence a week; ten pennies were +devoted to five boxes of toys for his younger brothers and sisters; and +the balance that remained, he handed back to Mother Crampton.</p> + +<p>Tom saw his brother Will on Friday, who said he would be in Dixtown +on the morrow, and expected to leave the pier at four o'clock in the +afternoon for Norton Island, and that he was obliged to come in again +on Monday at six o'clock; so Tom's difficulties in this respect were +removed, and, in fact, all seemed to prosper for his proposed excursion.</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>Mrs. Gillies crossed with her sons on Saturday. The basket and parcel +Tom carried gave rise to many questions, and he had to acknowledge that +he had been laying out some of his month's wages in presents.</p> + +<p>"I hope you've not been spending your money foolishly," said his mother.</p> + +<p>"No, not foolishly," answered Tom. "I wanted to buy these things; and +from this time I mean to save."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gillies did not reprove Tom further. She had received a good +character of him from Mr. Jones; and as he handed her two shillings, +she merely added a few general remarks on the duty of being economical.</p> + +<p>Tom, as may be supposed, had a hearty welcome at home. His young +brothers and sisters crowded round him, and were so delighted with +their presents that he felt quite a hero among them. Of course, they +wanted to know what the basket contained; and when Tom showed the +kitten, the young ones clapped their hands with delight. Pussy seemed +in no wise frightened at so many eyes peeping into her basket; she +shook herself, and stepped from it quite quietly, to lap some milk out +of a saucer.</p> + +<p>"Is it to stay here, Tom?" questioned one of his little sisters.</p> + +<p>"No; it's for grandmother," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Shall I go with you when you take it to her?" asked Sally.</p> + +<p>"I'd rather go alone," he replied.</p> + +<p>Directly after tea Tom started off, basket in hand. It was nearly seven +o'clock when he reached grandmother's cottage; and as September was far +advanced, the evenings were beginning to draw in. Still there was light +enough to see pussy, and Tom thought it was better to get over his +interview at once rather than wait until the following day.</p> + +<p>He tapped softly at the door. Grandmother opened it, and started back.</p> + +<p>"You, Tom!" she said. "Ay, I remember they told me you were coming. I'm +glad to hear a better account of you. Step in."</p> + +<p>Grandmother had only once before spoken as civilly to Tom, and he felt +very thankful that she was so inclined to be pleasant. He had carried +out his master's and Mother Crampton's advice, and there seemed an +answer to his prayers at first starting.</p> + +<p>"I'm getting on nicely," he answered, sitting on a wooden stool close +to grandmother, and clearing his throat, which felt very husky. "And, +you know, I have wages now; so I've spent part of my first month's +money in buying you a present."</p> + +<p>"Bought me a present! It's something quite new for me to have one; +they're rare things, Tom." And again granny spoke kindly.</p> + +<p>The boy opened his basket, and, lifting the kitten out, placed her +gently in the old woman's lap. Pussy, as if she knew what would please +her new mistress best, curled herself round, and lay still, purring and +moving her tail gently up and down.</p> + +<p>"What a beauty!" exclaimed grandmother. "Is this for me, Tom? It's +handsomer than Tabby, I declare. Oh, how happy you've made me! And I +don't deserve it, for I've been so unkind to you."</p> + +<p>"Don't say that, grandmother; it's I who have been unkind to you. But I +didn't mean it; I really didn't mean to kill your old Tabby."</p> + +<p>"Then you killed her after all?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, grandmother; but this is how it was. You must listen while I tell +you everything."</p> + +<p>And Tom gave a full description of how it all happened, that he was +very angry when his grandmother declared she would tell tales of him +and get him punished, and that seeing Tabby suggested the wicked +thought, that if he were thrashed, he would be thrashed for something.</p> + +<p>"And yet I hardly know what I wanted, grandmother," he added, "for +I'm sure I didn't want Tabby to go mad or be killed, but I think I +hoped something would come about that would pain you, because you were +so cross with me. I've been so miserable ever since. Oh, do say you +forgive me; please do."</p> + +<p>"Forgive you, Tom! Yes, that I will; but I need your forgiveness as +much as you need mine. It was cruel of you to treat Tabby as you did, +but I'd no business to be so hard upon you. I know I'm a cross-grained +old woman, but I'll try and turn over a new leaf. To think of your +spending your money on a new cat, and buying such a smart collar too. +I'm so pleased; and, what's more, I hope I've learnt a lesson from you +that will do me good as long as I live."</p> + +<p>Tom did not leave his grandmother until after eight. He told her many +things connected with his new life, and a great deal about Mr. Newton +and his daughter. When they parted, she kissed him, and said, "Never +let us speak of the past again, and let no one know who killed Tabby. +Tell your father that we mean to be good friends for the future.</p> + +<p>"Come and see me to-morrow, and hear how my new Tabby—for she shall +have the same name as my old pet—likes her quarters."</p> + +<p>"I'll come," answered Tom. "I'm going to the service in the afternoon, +for, notice was given to the children at school this morning that a +friend of Mr. Pender's would preach. Will you come too, grandmother?"</p> + +<p>"I've never been yet."</p> + +<p>"The more reason you should begin. Mr. Jones is very particular how I +spend my Sunday, and Mother Crampton says we ought to keep God's day +holy. I like going to church twice now; I've only missed one evening +since I've been at my new situation; and that was when Mother Crampton +was ill."</p> + +<p>"I tell you what I'll do. If you come and fetch me, I'll go with you to +the schoolroom to-morrow. I must lock Tabby in, as she's strange here," +said granny.</p> + +<p>"I'll come in good time for the service," answered Tom, as he left the +cottage.</p> + +<p>Sunday morning rose without a cloud. Tom was up early, and bathed. +Afterwards he took the little ones for a walk, and read to them out +of his new Bible. Dinner was at twelve, and at half-past two the bell +began to ring for the afternoon service.</p> + +<p>Most of the cottagers went to the schoolroom, for Mr. Pender told his +men he hoped they would all attend. So some went out of curiosity, +others to please their master, and a few because they loved to hear +about their Saviour.</p> + +<p>"Tom, I shan't forget what I've heard in a hurry," said grandmother, +as they walked home after the service. "It's an easy text to +remember—'Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die?' And he looks close on +death himself. What a deal I've got to learn, according to him. I'm +wrong altogether."</p> + +<p>"The gentleman said in grander words just what Mother Crampton told +me," answered Tom, "that every one who won't come to Christ will die in +their sins. Oh, grandmother, I've been trying so hard to believe and +learn of Jesus in the last few weeks."</p> + +<p>"And I'll try too, Tom. You must know there was a time in my life when +my heart was softer, but it's grown hard with years and living alone; +and for a long time I've given up praying to God to make it soft again; +but now I'll begin to pray."</p> + +<p>Tom accompanied his grandmother home, to see how pussy had conducted +herself ill their absence, and she asked him to stay tea.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to," he replied, "only Sally will be disappointed if I don't +go home."</p> + +<p>"Let her come here; I shall like to have her."</p> + +<p>Tom went to fetch his sister. Sally was greatly surprised when he gave +his invitation, but very glad to accept it.</p> + +<p>After a cosy tea drinking, grandmother asked Tom to read her a chapter +from the Bible. He complied with her request, and, later on, read to +her from "Come to Jesus;" first about tying and untying knots, and then +the words addressed to the aged. When he ended, granny was weeping.</p> + +<p>"It means me," she sobbed. "I've not heeded the warnings God has given +me. I've got white hair and wrinkled features, and I've not a moment to +lose, for I'm an old woman; but, Tom, I'll come to Jesus at once, for +He alone can save."</p> + +<p>"I've untied a big knot since yesterday," thought Tom, ere he fell into +a sound sleep and dreamed sweet dreams.</p> + +<p>But no sleep and no bright dreams came to Miss Pringle on that Sunday +night, nor to Mr. Newton nor his daughter Annie. The reason why we must +reserve for another chapter.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_14">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>THE ACCIDENT.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>DICK was no nearer the wished-for money on that Saturday afternoon when +Tom went home, nor did he see any chance of clutching the prize. He was +growing weary of controlling himself, and vexed and annoyed that his +former friend avoided him; for when they met, Tom passed on with a few +civil words of greeting, but refused to make an appointment to walk out.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle had not been feeling quite so well of late—not that much +ailed her—but she was very tired after her day's work and extremely +cross. She was sensible, too, that it cost her a greater effort than +was usual to lift her gold up and down from the cupboard shelf; and +determined to change some of her hardly-earned sovereigns into crisp +bank-notes.</p> + +<p>On the Sunday night which brought such pleasant dreams to Tom, she +retired to her room at the usual hour. Dick did not watch his mistress +count her money quite so regularly as in the first fortnight, for he +knew the process so well. He was falling asleep without having first +looked through the keyhole, and was startled by hearing a loud crash +overhead. He jumped up and listened, for he fancied it was followed by +a low moan.</p> + +<p>Mr. Newton and his daughter Annie, who were about to separate for the +night, heard the noise too, and Annie rushed to the door and opened it, +when she heard the words, "Help me."</p> + +<p>"Can you let me in?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"No; I'm too much hurt," groaned Miss Pringle, with great difficulty.</p> + +<p>"We must force the door," said Mr. Newton. "Can you see through the +keyhole, Annie?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, quite well. Miss Pringle is lying on the floor half in her +cupboard. She must have fallen."</p> + +<p>"You had better call Dick."</p> + +<p>Just at this moment the boy joined them. But the united efforts of the +three made no impression on the door, and Dick was sent to fetch a +locksmith.</p> + +<p>At last, admittance was gained. A stool with a broken leg revealed how +the accident had happened.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle was quite unconscious. With the help of the locksmith, +they plead her on her bed; for Mr. Newton's blindness prevented him +from taking an active part.</p> + +<p>"Now run for a doctor, Dick," said Annie. "The one who lives in the +first house on the terrace is the nearest."</p> + +<p>It was quite half an hour before the doctor came, during which time the +young girl sat still and waited, not knowing what she ought to do.</p> + +<p>Though Dick's face expressed great sorrow, he was secretly rejoicing +over Miss Pringle's fall, hoping that it might in some way facilitate +his wishes, and that he would gain possession of her gold.</p> + +<p>"This is a sad business," said the doctor, after he had examined his +patient. "I can scarcely tell the extent of the mischief, nor whether +her arm and leg are broken or only sprained. I can do nothing until +to-morrow morning, the limbs are swelling so rapidly. Has she a friend +who can sit up with her? She must not be left."</p> + +<p>"I do not think she has a single friend or relation in the world," +replied Annie.</p> + +<p>"Poor thing! She is to be pitied. I have heard she is very eccentric; +but having lived so short a time in this neighbourhood, I am but little +acquainted with its inhabitants."</p> + +<p>"I will remain with her," said Annie. "I hope in the morning she will +be well enough to say what she wishes to be done; and her boy is here +to take any message that is necessary."</p> + +<p>"That is sufficient. You had better not attempt to move her without +help. Give her some drops that I will send you at once. Her +consciousness will soon return, I hope."</p> + +<p>When the doctor left, he was accompanied by Dick.</p> + +<p>Then Annie took counsel of her father as to whether she should call in +assistance from any of the neighbours.</p> + +<p>"Better not, my dear," answered Mr. Newton. "Miss Pringle may turn on +us, and say we must pay, as she gave no orders. You can manage with +Dick to-night, and to-morrow morning the doctor must arrange, if she be +too ill to be consulted."</p> + +<p>So soon as Dick returned with the medicine, Annie persuaded her father +to go to bed, knowing that any excitement or want of rest would be +attended with bad after-consequences.</p> + +<p>"Call me, Dick," she said, "if you notice any change. I shall not be +long. I am going to see after papa."</p> + +<p>"Now is my time," thought the boy. "If I can once get the box out of +the cupboard and down-stairs, I am safe. When missus comes to herself, +it will be too late. Now or never. I shall have time to get away from +Dixtown, for she'll never say she's got money unless she's obliged; +only I must be quick."</p> + +<p>He assured himself that Miss Pringle was still unconscious ere he +carried a chair into the cupboard, and lifted the bandbox on to the +ground. He took out the wooden box, replaced the bandbox, and carried +the chair back, leaving the cupboard door exactly as it was before.</p> + +<p>"All right so far," he said to himself. "Three minutes more will finish +my business."</p> + +<p>Two candles were burning, so that there was light enough to see his way +clearly. He took hold of the box with a firm grip, and was moving off +with it, when Annie opened the door softly, and entered the room, while +at the same moment Miss Pringle unclosed her eyes, gave a loud shriek, +and moaned, "Oh dear, oh dear, what shall I do!"</p> + +<p>Annie could not have explained why she appeared at this juncture, +except that she had an uneasy feeling at leaving Dick alone with the +spinster. Seeing him box in hand, she screamed out, "Papa, papa, Dick's +stealing. Call out of the window for help."</p> + +<p>Her sudden coming and appeal to her father, coupled with Miss Pringle's +scream, made Dick loosen his hold of the box, which fell heavily; while +the would-be thief pushed rudely past, rushed down-stairs, and out of +the back door, as Mr. Newton called "Help, help."</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Wilkins, who was smoking his pipe in +front of his house. He and his wife had only just returned home from +spending the day with friends, otherwise they would have known that +something unusual had occurred next door.</p> + +<p>"We want you and your wife here. Annie will open the door for you," +said Mr. Newton.</p> + +<p>Annie could not come at that moment, for she was by Miss Pringle's +side. The sudden start she had made when she screamed, had brought on +intense pain, and she lay with closed eyes again.</p> + +<p>"Papa, I must have help," cried Annie.</p> + +<p>"Wilkins is waiting below," answered her father, sadly.</p> + +<p>He felt so much and almost bitterly his infirmity just then; it seemed +to come before him in an appalling form; he was so helpless to render +his child any assistance in her sore need.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes, Annie unfastened the front door, and admitted the +good couple.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wilkins had often rendered her assistance, and was ready to help +any who were in distress. Her story was soon told.</p> + +<p>"You go up and see what you can do," said Mr. Wilkins to his wife, when +he had heard a few facts; "I'll search after Dick; if he's clean gone, +he may go, as you've saved the property, Miss Annie. There is no fear +of his ever troubling Miss Pringle again."</p> + +<p>So soon as Mrs. Wilkins entered the spinster's room, her first care +was to put the box and its contents into a place of safety. The sides +were somewhat damaged by the fall, the weight of the sovereigns having +loosened the nails.</p> + +<p>"This explains much to me," she said to Annie. "See, miss, the stocking +is full of money. Miss Pringle has always spoken of her poverty, and +now I understand the secret of her life. The love of getting gold has +mastered her. It's very, very sad."</p> + +<p>By the time that the wooden box was deposited in the cupboard, and the +broken stool removed, Mr. Wilkins tapped at the door, and said, "I +find no trace of Dick. He must have run away through the fields. I've +fastened the kitchen door; and I'll go home. The boy is no loss; I've +known him for many years, and I warned the missus here to beware when +she engaged him, and told her plainly she'd made a mistake. Good night. +You can call me if you want me."</p> + +<p>Annie and Mrs. Wilkins conversed in whispers until Miss Pringle was +so far restored as to be able to take the medicine prescribed by the +doctor.</p> + +<p>"Now try and sleep," they said.</p> + +<p>"Where am I? And what has happened?" asked Miss Pringle.</p> + +<p>Annie answered in as few words as possible, and promised to be more +explicit in the morning.</p> + +<p>The spinster closed her eyes wearily, and her nurses had the great +satisfaction of seeing her fall into a quiet sleep.</p> + +<p>The injuries which she had received were very severe. One leg was +broken, and the right arm badly sprained. It would be many weeks, even +months, before she would be able to knead her bread. She would have to +lie still, and be waited upon.</p> + +<p>By degrees Miss Pringle received a full account of what had transpired. +When Annie told her how nearly Dick had stolen her gold, she literally +shivered with terror, and could not be quieted until her treasure +was counted out before her, and she had assured herself that not one +sovereign was missing.</p> + +<p>She had many long hours of pain in the first days after her accident, +but pain of mind as well as body. She was humbled and mortified +when she realised that her secret was known, and that her lodgers +and neighbours were aware she was a false woman, and her pretended +poverty a lie invented to deceive them. Her precautions had miserably +failed; her future was dark and gloomy; her dearly cherished gold must +decrease; and what was more terrible was that she might be unable to +work again; and what then? Had she befriended Mr. Newton in his sore +need? Had she ever helped any one who was sick or in trouble? She +moaned many times, as if in severe pain, when it was mental anguish +that called forth the expression, and not the aching of hurt limbs.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wilkins was engaged for part of every day. She had no children to +occupy her time, and was able to attend to her husband's wants and see +to the invalid; but she could not undertake more. Miss Pringle felt her +business must be left for the present—until she was well; but what if +she were a cripple for life?</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>It was a week after the accident that Tom called to see the spinster. +He did not come before, because he had been passing through a sharp +conflict with himself. He had heard every particular of the trouble +that had befallen her, and Dick's conduct, from Mother Crampton; for +Annie had minutely described the circumstances to her old friend, and +also added her own judgment in the matter.</p> + +<p>It was this:—When the young girl had time to think and wonder how Dick +came to discover that Miss Pringle had a hoard of money, she remembered +how easily she had seen through the keyhole. He must have arrived at +the knowledge of her secret in the same manner. She ventured at last to +ask Miss Pringle if she had any particular time for counting her money, +and the spinster confessed she had, and stated when it was.</p> + +<p>"Now I understand all," said Annie to her. "Dick has watched you +through the keyhole when you thought he was in bed."</p> + +<p>This was by no means a pleasant conclusion to arrive at, so far as +Miss Pringle was concerned; nevertheless, as we know, it was a correct +one. When Annie told Mother Crampton, she agreed with her; and when +Mother Crampton, in her turn, told Tom, it flashed into his mind that +it was his fault in the first instance, for had he not housed Dick for +two nights? Certainly he must have mastered the secret then, hence his +behaviour to himself, and his eagerness to serve Miss Pringle. Tom saw +it all so plainly that he wondered he had been blind before.</p> + +<p>First, he felt very angry that Dick had gained his end so ignobly; +then, his anger turned into thankfulness that Dick had been prevented +from taking the money; and in the end one idea fixed itself, which +was, that he ought to offer his services to his former mistress. This +decision brought on the sharp battle with himself, for he was very +happy in his new situation, and dreaded leaving his very kind master.</p> + +<p>First, he consulted Mother Crampton, who encouraged him to go forward. +She heartily pitied Miss Pringle, in spite of her many faults, and +thought that even if Tom sacrificed his present position, his character +would be matured by the voluntary surrender of his own wishes, because +of his anxiety to be of service to one whom he thought he had wronged. +She bade him speak to Mr. Jones, and come to no decision hastily.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jones refused to settle the question by expressing a strong opinion +either way. He advised Tom to ask God to help him to do right, and +added, "So far as I am concerned, I shall be sorry to lose you, but I +do not feel it right to throw any obstacle in the way of your carrying +out what you believe to be the best."</p> + +<p>So Tom paused for one week before he called on Miss Pringle, who was +greatly surprised to hear from Mrs. Wilkins that Tom Gillies desired +to see her. She had never quite forgiven his sending for his clothes, +and was inclined not to receive him, for she could not be persuaded to +believe, all at once, that Dick was such a wicked boy, even though she, +had such good reasons for doubting anything that the latter had either +said or done. Mrs. Wilkins liked Tom, and urged the spinster to allow +him to have his way.</p> + +<p>"He seems so anxious for a quiet chat with you, that I think you +mustn't refuse him," she pleaded.</p> + +<p>So he was invited to walk up.</p> + +<p>When Tom found himself alone with his old mistress, he inquired after +her health, and expressed his sorrow that so sad an accident had +befallen her, but with such evident sympathy that Miss Pringle was +softened towards him; and she opened the subject of the conversation +which was uppermost in Tom's mind, by asking him why he left her +without giving any notice.</p> + +<p>Tom asked her to listen to his story, which she did without once +interrupting him.</p> + +<p>"And now," he said, in conclusion, "I've a good character from Mr. +Jones, and I've come to say that if you'll take me back, I am ready +to serve you again. I don't think you'll have cause to be sorry, for +I really mean to help you; and though I'm very happy with Mr. Jones, +and getting a salary, yet, if you'll give me only half what I get +now, I think I could manage. I mustn't expect them at home to buy me +clothes after having had three shillings a week, for then mother would +blame me. I owe you something, Miss Pringle, for behaving to you as +I did, and for letting Dick into your house. Probably he could never +have known that you'd money, but for me, nor have tempted me to go to +Lockstone, and behave as he did. Please forgive me; and to show you +forgive me, let me be your boy again. There's another change come over +me, which makes me think I shall do better than before: I tell God all +my troubles and pleasures, and ask, in Christ's name, that His Spirit +may teach me what is right, and I've found a deal of difference. I just +try to untie as many knots of sin as I can, and I try to tie no fresh +ones; but not in my own strength, I pray."</p> + +<p>Tom did not know how thoroughly he conquered Miss Pringle by the +simple straightforward way in which he told his story, and detailed +his difficulties, and shortcomings, for she merely replied, "I forgive +you, Tom, and thank you for your offer; let me have until to-morrow to +decide."</p> + +<p>Tom rose to go, but still lingered; for he had a few more words to add, +which he found rather difficult to bring out. "Please, Miss Pringle, +you won't be offended if I speak to you about something else," he +summoned up courage to stammer out at last.</p> + +<p>"No, Tom, you may say what you have to say freely."</p> + +<p>"It's only this: When I was with you, I didn't feel your religion was +quite real. Don't, please, be offended. You said a great deal, and you +made me read the commandments to you, and you went to church, and all +that; but at home you were hard, and had no kind words for me; and when +I talked to Mother Crampton, I felt there was something so real in all +she said, and it was just the same with my new master, Mr. Jones. I +found him a Christian from morning until night; and I'm trying hard to +learn that sort of religion, and I'm happier for it; and I want you to +do the same. I've brought you a little book that's helped me; it has +the words about tying and untying knots in it that first made me think, +and I've turned down the page for you. I hope you ain't offended at my +speaking."</p> + +<p>"No, Tom," Miss Pringle answered again.</p> + +<p>The boy stepped forward, and put the book into her hand, and saying, +"Good-bye; I shall call to-morrow for your answer," left the room, but +not the house, for Annie called him in to see her father.</p> + +<p>And when he had told them what he had done, they hoped very much that +Miss Pringle would accept his offer.</p> + +<p>"She is softened already by her misfortune," said Annie. "She even told +me yesterday that she had sinned in loving her money so much. Why, Tom, +she has more than two hundred sovereigns! I counted them out before +her. I wish she would send them to the bank."</p> + +<p>"Do not be so impatient, Annie," answered Mr. Newton. "Miss Pringle has +much to learn. I had rather that she acted after mature thought, than +in such a great hurry."</p> + +<p>When Tom closed the door on his old mistress, she fell into a long +reverie. She glanced back over many years of her life, and felt the +retrospect was not a pleasant one. She had lived to make money, and cut +herself off from all that brings true joy in life, merely to accumulate +gold. Her one thought had been to gather and to keep. And now she was +lying helpless, and that which had been her idol must go to keep her +from starving. Tom's words about her professions of religion came with +startling truth. She had kept up a sort of sham piety all her life; she +had served God formally, but had not given her heart to Him, but to her +money.</p> + +<p>She grew so restless and uneasy at last, that Annie, who came in, as +was her wont, several times during the day, noticed how flushed she +was, and asked, "Are you suffering much pain?"</p> + +<p>"No, Miss Annie," she replied; "I am not suffering bodily pain, but my +heart aches so. I've made a great mistake. I've lived for money, and I +can't bear to think of it."</p> + +<p>Annie left the room, and returned in a few minutes, bringing her Bible +with her. She chose several passages from the Gospels, which she +thought best suited to Miss Pringle's state of mind, and she read on +until she found that the sacred word brought some degree of peace and +rest.</p> + +<p>Before she went back to her shells, she ventured to say, "Pray, Miss +Pringle; God will hear the prayer of the penitent. There is joy in +heaven over the repentant sinner."</p> + +<p>The spinster could not sleep that night; so busy was she with herself. +The next morning she sent for Mr. Newton, and told him she had made up +her mind to take Tom Gillies back to carry on her business. She also +asked him if he would be good enough to go to the bank and deposit +her money, and concluded by begging him to forgive her unkindness and +selfishness.</p> + +<p>"I did not know what it was to be helpless when I spoke so cruelly to +you," she said; "but God is teaching me. I believe being laid by will +do me good, but it's early days yet for me to say this."</p> + +<p>Tom came at noon, and was with Miss Pringle for more than one hour. The +result of the interview was that he engaged to take up his quarters +under the staircase on the following day, at the same salary he +received from Mr. Jones. Neither Miss Pringle nor he ever spoke of that +conversation to a third party, but it was quite evident that Tom and +his mistress had been deeply moved, for there were traces of tears in +their eyes, and from this time quite another tie existed between them. +Tom was treated more like a son than an errand-boy.</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<h2><a id="Chapter_15">CHAPTER XV.</a></h2> + +<p class="t3"> +<b>TWO YEARS LATER.</b><br> +</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>TWO years later Dixtown appeared just the same to a casual observer +as on the day when we closed our last chapter. The sun shone as +brightly, the birds sang as gaily, the myrtles, fuchsias, and fig-trees +flourished as luxuriantly, and the bay looked as placid. Nevertheless, +some changes had taken place: one old-established shop had ceased to +be; one new shop had been opened; and some of the inhabitants had been +laid in their last resting-place in the pretty cemetery on the hill +side.</p> + +<p>Mother Crampton was one of these; she had finished her course with joy, +and had passed up quietly and trustfully, depending on no righteousness +of her own, but on the finished work of her Saviour, to the home +prepared for her, among the mansions of the blest. She had no long +illness; she worked to within a week of her decease, when she was +compelled to take to her bed. She was tended by loving ones to whom she +had so often ministered—Annie, Tom, Mrs. Jones, ay, even Miss Pringle +on her crutches, were with her, each vying with the other in giving her +some token of their respect and love.</p> + +<p>After her death, her home passed into the hands of a respectable +fisherman, but the shop was abandoned, for his wife had too large +a family of children to be able to attend to it. This necessitated +Annie's finding another means of disposing of her boxes, and in her +distress, Miss Pringle helped her.</p> + +<p>The spinster's recovery had been tedious, and no perfect cure was +effected: she would never be able to walk again without her crutches. +The illness had borne ripe fruit; it had softened the hard lines in her +character. The change came very gradually, there was so much leaven to +purge out; but the heart of stone can be turned to flesh when under +the sanctifying influence of true religion; and Miss Pringle's formal +service of God had merged into vital Christianity.</p> + +<p>Tom soon mastered the baking business in all its details; he lost +no old customers, but gained many new ones, for the Dixtown people +said that his bread was, if anything, superior to Miss Pringle's; and +as the story of her affliction, and her generous behaviour spread, +several came to the shop by way of encouragement. When Tom became so +essential to the spinster, she offered to give notice to her lodgers +to find new apartments, as the only way of procuring him a more +comfortable bedroom. The lad refused to accept a change on these terms, +for he enjoyed spending part of every evening with Mr. Newton and +his daughter; they were too good friends of his to be thus summarily +dismissed.</p> + +<p>But after Mother Crampton died, and Annie's difficulties about +disposing of her boxes arose, Tom went to his mistress and suggested +that she should rent the adjoining cottage, and instal her lodgers in +it.</p> + +<p>Miss Pringle offered no objection; Annie had been so good to her that +she was glad to have it in her power to make some return. She not +only took the cottage, but spent a little money in making necessary +alterations, which is the best proof we can urge of the great change +that had taken place in her character.</p> + +<p>The first year of Annie's attempt at shop-keeping had just closed. +It had been a profitable one; in addition to her boxes, she sold +anemones, sea-weed, fossils, shells, and ferns. She and Tom had studied +natural history with Mr. Newton, until they learned to search after, +and distinguish the rare specimens which abounded everywhere on the +beautiful coast.</p> + +<p>Mr. Newton was in much better health, and with renewed strength, his +eyesight was partially restored; he was able to serve customers, +prepare boxes, and even read a few pages of a large-printed book.</p> + +<p>So soon as Annie and her father were established in their new quarters, +Tom exchanged his hole under the staircase for the large room they had +occupied, so that he, too, was materially benefited, but yet retained +his best friends near at hand.</p> + +<p>"Any prawns wanted. Prawns to sell," cried Mrs. Gillies, walking up the +street one bright October morning, and entering Miss Pringle's shop. +"Good day!" she said, on perceiving the spinster busily dusting her +shelves. "Is Tom too busy to speak to me for a few moments?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" answered Miss Pringle, in a cheerful tone, for she could be +bright now, could smile, and sometimes laugh heartily. "He's just taken +the bread out of the oven."</p> + +<p>Tom entered the shop at this moment. He was now in his seventeenth +year, and had grown into a tall, handsome lad.</p> + +<p>"I've a message from granny," said Mrs. Gillies. "She want to see you +if you can come over on Tuesday. She's not been well the last few days. +I wish she'd give up her cottage and live with us. She's too old to be +left, and there's room now that Harry and Will are gone, and Sally's so +soon to be married. Persuade her to come."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will, mother. Isn't she a happy old woman now? I like to think +of her."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that she is, and it's your doing, Tom," answered his mother. +"You've done a deal, my boy, for many of us," she added, emphatically.</p> + +<p>"It was Miss Annie's book that made me think first," said Tom; "but +after all, we must thank God."</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Mrs. Gillies. "I, for my part, am glad things have +changed with us. I do thank God for it, and I'm sure your father does. +I hope I shall live to see all my children Christians before I die. I +feel plenty on my conscience sometimes, Miss Pringle, when I think of +my past wickedness, and how often I've been a bad mother. I wish—oh how +I do wish—I'd loved God all my life."</p> + +<p>"So do I; we've all a deal to grieve over," added the spinster.</p> + +<p>"We're more ready to tie than untie knots," remarked Tom.</p> + +<p>"But how blessed it is for us all to know God forgives us in Christ, +and accepts our feeble efforts to live nobler and better lives," said +Miss Pringle.</p> + +<p>The conversation was interrupted here by the postman entering with a +letter, which he gave to Tom.</p> + +<p>The boy started when he read it, and turned very pale.</p> + +<p>"It's from Dick, mother; he's sentenced to be transported for ten +years, with hard labour."</p> + +<p>"He's young enough to have such a sentence!" exclaimed Mrs. Gillies. +"He's not nineteen, Tom."</p> + +<p>"No, mother."</p> + +<p>"It's very, very sad," remarked Miss Pringle. "Dick is associated with +a great deal of sorrow and much joy. I feel something like Jacob must +have felt when the angel left him. 'Contented now upon my thigh to halt +till life's short journey end.'"</p> + +<p>"I wish—how I do wish—I could see him," said Tom. "It's too far to +go—he's in London. Good-bye, mother, I must be off to my work."</p> + +<p><br></p> + +<p>But before Tom returned to the day's duties, he retired to his room +to think. He was appalled at the news he had just received. Though he +knew that his former friend was running a downward course, this was too +dreadful to realise.</p> + +<p>From the moment that Dick fled through the fields on that night when +Annie surprised him with Miss Pringle's wooden box, he had thrown +off the mask he had assumed, and became thoroughly reckless. He was +several times confined in the county prison for petty thefts; and +when his father at last refused to admit him at home, he joined a +strolling party, and ultimately united himself to a band of desperate +house-breakers, who made him their tool. Now that he was quitting his +native land for so many years as a common felon, his thoughts reverted +to his former companion, and he could not leave England without sending +him a few words of farewell.</p> + +<p>Tom read his letter again, and then fell on his knees and wept and +prayed—not because he was better than Dick, but because, through the +mercy of God, he had been awakened to a sense of sin. He went about +his work with a heavy heart, for he was haunted by the remembrance +of Dick. He could neither read with, nor be taught by, Mr. Newton +that evening—he could only speak of the contents of the letter he had +received in the morning.</p> + +<p>After he bade farewell for the night to Mr. Newton, he turned to Annie, +and said, in a broken voice, "Miss Annie, Dick's letter has brought +back all my past life, and how much I owe to you for giving me a +helping hand. I never shall forget the Sunday when you gave me 'Come to +Jesus,' and I read,—</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<br> + "'Habit will fasten strong chains around you, which will be harder to +burst asunder every day. While you wait, Satan works. He is busy tying +knots. You are his prisoner, and he is making more and more secure the +cords which bind you. Whenever you sin, he ties another knot.'"<br> +</p> + +<p><br><br><br></p> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77762 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/77762-h/images/image001.jpg b/77762-h/images/image001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a8b4be --- /dev/null +++ b/77762-h/images/image001.jpg diff --git a/77762-h/images/image002.jpg b/77762-h/images/image002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f215d8d --- /dev/null +++ b/77762-h/images/image002.jpg diff --git a/77762-h/images/image003.jpg b/77762-h/images/image003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ad37f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/77762-h/images/image003.jpg diff --git a/77762-h/images/image004.jpg b/77762-h/images/image004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..42ef586 --- /dev/null +++ b/77762-h/images/image004.jpg diff --git a/77762-h/images/image005.jpg b/77762-h/images/image005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5e28679 --- /dev/null +++ b/77762-h/images/image005.jpg diff --git a/77762-h/images/image006.jpg b/77762-h/images/image006.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..18c56b4 --- /dev/null +++ b/77762-h/images/image006.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6c72794 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0dcb26c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook #77762 +(https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77762) |
