Here the basket-bearer came within hail, and the matter of the names was dropped for the time.
"Hullo, young chap, where did you get that basket?"
The boy came on, laid down his load on the ground, straightened himself, and drew a long breath. Then he said,—
"Are you Thomas Avery?"
"Mr. Avery; none of your cheek," put in Deasy softly.
"I am; that's me," said Tom, pretending not to hear this.
"Then I'm to give you this basket, and tell you that Mrs. Avery slipped on the rail about half a mile from the town and turned her ankle badly. She couldn't come on, and she didn't know what to do, when I came up to her; and I offered to bring it on for sixpence."
"For sixpence: and who's to give you the sixpence?" said Avery doubtfully.
"She paid me herself, and I lent her my stick to help her home."
"Oh, well, that's a different story. Thank ye, I'm sure it's all right. Come, mates, we must unpack for ourselves to-day."