"Do forgive him now, Tom! Call him up to you, and make friends with him."
Tom laughed and obeyed. He assured Tim he wouldn't hurt him, whereupon the little dog bounded up to him, and was petted and forgiven. After that Bounce was forgiven, too.
Peter would have lent Tom the very best coat he possessed, but Tom declined it, and insisted on borrowing an old one, in which, he declared, he would be far more comfortable. It fitted him very well, for he and the blind boy were much of a size, so that Miss Perry did not notice it was her nephew's till Peter drew her attention to it, and explained what had happened. She said little then, but her look was eloquent of the deepest gratitude as it rested on her young visitor, and when, a short while after tea, Mr. Burford called for his son, she drew him apart from the boys and talked to him earnestly for a long while.
"What was Miss Perry saying to you, Father?" Tom inquired, with his customary curiosity as, later, he and Mr. Burford walked home together. "Was it about our adventure this afternoon?"
Mr. Burford assented. "She wishes to give you a new coat," he replied, smiling. "I said 'No' at first, but my refusal seemed to hurt her, so I felt obliged to say 'Yes.' She considers you behaved very pluckily this afternoon, Tom, and I agree with her. I am pleased my boy showed true grit—kept his head and did not run away."
"I never thought of running away," Tom answered, colouring; "but, oh, I was awfully, awfully frightened! Peter is so helpless in his blindness, you know! It was horrible to see the cow make for him! I hadn't time to say even a little prayer, but it was in my heart, I think, and I just tore off my coat—and, oh, wasn't I thankful I made such a good shot and threw it right over the cow's head! Then Moses Lee came up with his whip and drove the cow on. Oh, dear me, how stupid I've been! I forgot to speak to the gipsies about little Grace Lee!"
"Who is little Grace Lee?" inquired Mr. Burford.
Tom explained, telling all he knew concerning the child and the Sordellos. "And it crossed my mind that she might be related to Moses Lee," he said in conclusion; "anyway, there'd be no harm in asking him; I shall be sure to see him again."
"You say you heard the woman—this Mrs. Sordello—strike the little girl, and use very bad language?" said Mr. Burford, interested and concerned.
"Yes, Father, I did. She called her 'a white-faced little coward,' and swore at her dreadfully; then she struck her—any one outside the caravan could have heard, but no one was there except me."