"Yes. She's been to see her aunt this evening, and has just got back. Young Rumbelow has written to his mother, saying how sorry he is for all the trouble he's caused her, and that he'd have written to her before if he hadn't been ashamed to. Jane has read the letter. In it he said, 'I've come back to turn over a new leaf, and try to blot out the past.' Jane says she hopes he means it. Anyway, it's a great joy to poor old Mrs. Rumbelow to have heard from him at last."
"He was a sad scapegrace," said Mr. Basset reflectively; "he was caught poaching on several occasions, and on the last the magistrates would not let him off with a fine, but sent him to prison. When he came out he took himself off—to Canada it was supposed. Repentant is he? Humph!"
"Don't you think he is?" asked Josephine.
Mr. Basset looked doubtful.
"There may have been good in him which was never brought out," he said; "I cannot say. Anyway, I am glad his mother has heard from him at last."
"Perhaps he will get leave and come to see her," said Josephine; "oh, he will be sure to, I think!"
"Jane says she hopes if he does he will behave himself," remarked May.
"Then doesn't she believe he means to turn over a new leaf?" inquired Josephine.
"She says she doesn't know what to believe," May answered gravely; "she has a very poor opinion of her cousin, I'm afraid."
"And not without reason," said Mr. Basset. "However, let us hope Dick Rumbelow—yes, his name's Dick, I remember—has really written what he feels. I think the better of him for having obeyed his king and country's call. I dare say he will not make a bad soldier. If he should really be sorry for his past misdeeds—should really be meaning to turn over a new leaf—"