"But your old mother is very angry with me," said Harebell looking at him with interest. "Because—you promise not to be angry—I called you her wicked son."
The man's surliness vanished. His eyes twinkled. "You were a bold little un. An' what did her say?"
"I can't tell you, but she was very angry, and Miss Triggs says she loves you, and that's why it was." Then Harebell said cautiously: "Do you drink all day long? Isn't it rather difficult? Now I like eating better than drinking. I wonder if I was to eat all day long whether it would be wicked? I should have to choose my food, for I certainly couldn't eat porridge or bread-and-butter all that time. I think I could manage a good many jam tarts."
Tom Triggs laughed; he straightened himself up and stroked the nose of her pony. Then Harebell told him his name, and they were deep in talk over ponies' names and their habits and tricks, when the Rector came up. Tom Triggs lowered his head, and slouched off, but not before Harebell had called after him:
"Good-bye; I hope I shall see you another day."
Then, with an explanatory wave of her hand after the retreating figure, she said:
"It's Miss Triggs' brother, and I like him. I think he and me are going to be friends."
"I wish he could be persuaded to do some work," said Mr. Garland rather sadly.
"Has he got any he ought to do?" asked Harebell.
"He's a carpenter by trade. But nobody will employ him, as he won't stick at any job, and lives half his days at the 'Black Swan,' spending his sister's hard-earned money."