"I will," promised Harebell, "but p'r'aps You'll never see me again. I'm goin' to be sent to school, you know."
She conquered a rising sob.
Tom looked at her thoughtfully.
"Ay, 'twas through me, you be in this trouble! Well, p'r'aps I can help of 'ee out."
"It will be too late. I shall be gone," said Harebell.
Tom rubbed his head.
The little girl added, "And you mustn't tell about Peter, you promised not to; and I don't mean to tell."
"Well, you be doin' a fine thing, a-bearin' his fault."
Harebell rode away, waving her hand to her friend.
He looked after her in perplexity. "If I were a scholar now! But I'll venture on it!"