"He does, indeed," Mousey answered; "but I'm afraid we must be rather a heavy weight for him."
"Well, I dare say I am a good weight," her uncle replied, laughing, "but I don't suppose you are very heavy. However, Billy is not overburdened. Did you leave your cousin well, Mousey?"
"Yes, Uncle Dick; but he says he will miss me very much."
"I have no doubt he will. How is the dissatisfied youth—John Monday, I mean?"
Mousey sighed, scarcely knowing what answer to make. The bright face clouded over, and she shook her head sorrowfully.
"Poor John Monday is very unhappy," she said, "and Cousin Robert has been very angry with him."
"Perhaps Mr. Harding is rather a difficult master to serve; but what has the boy done to arouse his anger?"
Mousey explained, whilst her uncle looked exceedingly grave. It hurt the good man to think that his gift to the boy had brought him trouble; he almost felt as though he had put temptation in his way; but then, he reflected, perhaps what had happened might prove a wholesome lesson to him.
"I sincerely trust the poor lad may be given strength to follow the new path he has chosen," he said, as Mousey finished her tale. "I am glad to hear he has found a friend in that Mr. Bradley."
They had left the town behind them by this time, and were in the country road which led direct to Mr. Dawson's home. Billy, trotting along at a fine pace, soon brought them to their journey's end.