"Well, what then?"
"I—haven't been always nice to him," the little girl admitted, "and I've thought that he was spiteful and untruthful. Suppose I should have been quite wrong? He has been very kind to me since I fell off the apple tree—often I should have been dreadfully dull if he hadn't come in and talked to me. And if I find out that he gave me my dear Fluffy, I shall feel so bad about having been against him."
"Oh, well, I wouldn't worry about that," was the careless response. "You know I took against him at first, but I soon found out he was a jolly nice fellow, and he's very generous. His uncle tipped him half-a-crown before he started for the sports this afternoon, and he stood Richards and me sponge-cakes and ices—fourpenny ices, too. He would do it."
Kitty sighed. Hearing this made her more than ever inclined to believe that she had greatly misjudged the boy next door.
Meanwhile, Tim was being questioned by Mr. Shuttleworth as to how he had spent the afternoon and evening; and, finding his uncle appeared really interested in his doings, he gave him a glowing account of the athletic sports, which told how much he had enjoyed them.
"I should like you to see Bob Glanville's cup which he won for the high jump, Uncle John," he said. "I am sure he would be pleased to show it to you. Don't you think his people must be very proud of him?"
"I dare say they are," Mr. Shuttleworth replied. "He is a fine, handsome boy. So the girl has quite recovered from the results of her accident?"
"Oh, yes; she went with us this afternoon, you know. She's still a bit lame, but she's nearly all right; and she's going back to school on Monday—she isn't keen to go, but Mrs. Glanville says, as she was well enough to go to the sports, she must be well enough to go to school. Bob introduced me to a lot of boys, uncle, but I think I like Jack Richards the best. Wasn't it jolly of him to ask me to his house to tea? His father said he might. Do you know Dr. Richards, uncle?"
"Merely by sight. I am thankful to say I have never needed his professional services. But I have heard him well spoken of as a clever doctor, and I believe he is very popular in the town. How would you like to be a pupil at the B— Grammar School, Tim?"
"As a boarder, do you mean, Uncle John? Father is always talking of sending me to boarding-school, but I don't believe he can afford it. How I wish he could send me to the Grammar School here!"