It is not to be wondered at that, under these circumstances, when a tempting bit of apple-tart was offered to him, a greedy pleasure filled his heart as he accepted the proffered dainty. There was no question in his mind whether it was right or wrong to take it, for Robin knew it was the recognised custom of the house to give away scraps in this way. The housekeeper had often desired cook to give him something to eat as he stood and waited.
The boy had yet to learn that the evil of the matter lay in the good things being offered him as a bribe to do wrong. But at the present time he was wholly unaware of such a motive, and only thought, as he munched away outside the door, that cook was very kind. He often wondered why Jonathan had so little to say in the kitchen. Robin had even seen him look severely at the woman sometimes as he gave her his short answers.
"She must be too full of fun," he thought, "for the sober old man;" for her loud laugh was constantly heard.
The boy had made his observations quietly, and, though he had never been told it, knew instinctively that cook detested the head gardener.
She had indeed reason to fear him, for Jonathan was only waiting till something should happen which would prove his surmises correct to speak plainly his opinion of her character.
Robin now began to think his dear old friend was too particular, and hoped he would not appear round the corner before he had finished his bit of tart. Both Jonathan and Robin's mother had warned the boy not to be more in the kitchen than was absolutely necessary, as they knew it was through a quarrel with the cook that his predecessor had lost his place.
But there was surely no need to be too strict! Alas! Poor Robin! How warily and subtly does the tempter take possession of the heart! When Robin had finished, he heard cook calling to him again, and went in to obey the summons.
"Here," said she, with a coaxing smile, "you will not mind doing an errand for me when you go home to the town by and by, will you?"
"Certainly not," replied the boy. "I shall be very glad to do it. What is it?"
"Well," said the woman, producing a good-sized covered basket, "I want you to be kind enough to take this to No. 15 Andover Street. There is a note inside for my mother, about something very particular. You can just hand it in, and call for the basket again on your way here to work to-morrow morning. But," she added, "don't let Mr. Jonathan see it or know anything about it. It is just a little errand for me, that need not concern anybody else."