"I'm under orders to be kind," was the answer, given in Sparling's half-surly growl. He did not look up, and Roger stared at him.
"Whose orders, sir?" said he presently.
"My Master's, the Lord Jesus," with a touch of his hand to his cap. "He says:
"'Be kind one to another.' 'Freely ye have received, freely give.' 'Do unto others as you'd like they would do to you.'
"It's in the Bible,—I've no great memory."
Roger walked along in silence for some time. At last he said doubtfully,—
"That's not common talk, sir."
"More's the pity. It's because folks don't know. I wish they did. Look ye here, Roger, you can sleep in my room if you like, and we'll get Mrs. Avery to put in a second bed for you. She won't charge you much. Don't ye go chumming with young Bowles and that set; they mean no harm perhaps, but I doubt they got Deasy into mischief. Bess likes ye, and you'll be safer with us."
"I'm only too glad to get the chance, sir," said Roger.
"You and your chances!" growled Sparling with the queer look that served him for a smile. "And yet I doubt, boy, you're careless about the best chance of all?"