"I can't thank you," he said; "I can't thank you half enough."
"Never mind the thanks, my boy. Now I want you to promise me, when you get back to your home, you will make yourself missed, then you will soon find yourself wanted." Mr. De Brunier turned the key in the lock as he spoke, and went in.
Wilfred crossed the court to Gaspé. He looked up brightly, exclaiming, "Kusky is the boy for you; they all say Kusky will draw."
"I am going," whispered Wilfred.
"Going! how and why?" echoed Gaspé in consternation.
"With these men," answered Wilfred.
"Then I shall hate Batiste if he takes you from me!" exclaimed Gaspé impetuously.
They stepped back into the shed the puppies had occupied, behind some packing-cases, where nobody could see them, for the parting words.
"We shall never forget each other, never. Shall we ever meet again?" asked Wilfred despairingly. "We may when we are men."
"We may before," whispered Gaspé, trying to comfort him. "Grandfather's time is up this Christmas. Then he will take his pension and retire. He talks of buying a farm. Why shouldn't it be near your uncle's?"