But when Noel was liberated, he rushed downstairs and out into the road without his cap. The rain had stopped. He was so angry that Chris had dared to lock him up in a cupboard that he hardly knew what he was doing. And then suddenly he met the man who had been doing some gardening for Miss Constance.
"Oh, God's man, they've been so unkind to me!"
Noel stopped and gripping hold of the man's coat held him prisoner whilst he poured out his story to him.
"And there's nobody to be kind to me, not one. Diana is writing to Mums to tell her I'm a wicked boy, and Chris called me a beast, and I hate him!"
"Oh, 'ere, little master! This won't do! No, it won't! Why, I were tellin' my wife of you, 'ow pious you were for such a little 'un. Why, your name for me sticks in my throat at times and keeps me from the 'Golden Dog,' which I do frequent more'n is good for me!"
Noel stopped crying. He began to smile.
"I b'lieve God sent you to meet me to be kind to me, did He?"
"Well, I shouldn't wonder. Cheer up! You be too big a boy to cry! I reckon you just meant to have a tidy-up. Accidents will happen."
"But Mums will hear about me, and she'll think I spoilt her room on purpose."
"Not her. And couldn't you write a letter yourself and say you didn't mean to do it?"