"Yes, and found them most entertaining little people. We must get their mother to allow you to have them here to tea one day; they would like playing in the garden, I am sure. By the way, I've been thinking, my dear, it's time we had the garden tilled up for the spring; it is a perfect wilderness as it is. I must see about getting a gardener to-morrow."
This Mr. Harding accordingly did, and during the week which followed he was busily employed in superintending the laying out of the flower-beds to the best advantage.
"It's quite a pleasure to see master nowadays," Maria said to Mousey on one occasion; "he seems to have thrown off his old life with the old house. This morning he had Mr. Bradley here with him for more than an hour, and a little later I looked into the garden, and there were master and Mr. Thomas talking in as friendly a manner as possible. I don't believe John Monday would know master, I really don't!"
"I expect he would," Mousey replied, laughing; "but I shall soon see, because Cousin Robert says one Saturday he means to take me to see Aunt Eliza and Uncle Dick."
So it happened that one fine afternoon Mr. Harding and Mousey arrived unexpectedly in the midst of the Dawson family, and received a hearty welcome from all. Mousey was anxious to see the meeting between John Monday and her cousin; and her heart beat unevenly when Mr. Dawson was taking them round his gardens and she caught sight of the familiar form of Mr. Harding's late assistant.
"There is John Monday," Mr. Dawson said. "I am pleased to say he is doing well and giving me great satisfaction."
John Monday lifted his cap as his old master approached, and glanced at him a trifle shyly.
"I am glad to hear a good account of you, John," Mr. Harding said, as he held out his hand. "Do you like your work here?"
"Yes, sir," the lad answered promptly; "it just suits me, for I love being out-of-doors all day."
"Ah!" exclaimed the old man; "you were like a round peg in a square hole when you were with me. Well—well—I hope you're in your right place now."