“Did you see it, then?” said Mr. Needham.
“No,” replied the hostler; “but he sent a little fellow here to fetch somebody to help him: and so I goes; but I fancy he’d contrived to help himself before I came: but I saw the place in the ditch where the wheel had been down: and so Mr. Needham, ye see, I’d my walk for my pains: but we sha’nt say nothing of that.”
Mr. Needham understood the hint; and gave Tom some half-pence. “But,” added he; “who was it that came to fetch you?” “Why,” replied the hostler, “I don’t rightly know; but I think it was one of Sawkins’ boys.”
“Very well,” said Mr. Needham, as he rode off; “I’ll know the bottom o’ this.”
The next morning, when William Sawkins went to the baker’s shop for a loaf, Mr. Needham began to question him relative to what had happened to the cart. But he found William very reluctant to answer any questions on the subject.
“Well, well;” said he, at length, “I see how ’tis, Will: Hugh made you promise not to tell tales of him: That’s it, is’nt it now?”
“Yes;”—muttered William.
“That’s enough: that’s enough:” said Mr. Needham: “I won’t make you break your word.”
He then took a large square of gingerbread from the window, and gave it to William. William took it home, and divided it among his brothers and sisters; taking only an equal share for himself.
What Mr. Needham said to his boy, Hugh Bludgell, we do not know: but it is likely he was beaten for his ill conduct: or sent to bed without his supper.