Harebell's friend

by Amy Le Feuvre

"Ah!" said Tom with a little groan. "No lass 'ud have me. That be all past wi' me. Beer be my best and only friend."

He seemed to be in the depths of despair now.

"You mustn't talk like that," remonstrated Harebell. "You're never going to touch beer again."

"I shall die if I don't!"

"Oh, Tom, that's really wicked! Have you got through the Door yet?"

"No, nor never shall!" groaned Tom.

Harebell looked down upon him in silence.

Then she said:

"I'm not to speak to you ever again Aunt Diana says, when you get well; it will be dreadful. She doesn't mind to-day when you're ill. What shall we do, Tom?"

"Why ain't you to speak to me?"