The old man looked troubled, and presently burst out:
"You know, sir, I love him dearly! I wouldn't willingly get him into trouble; but I think I ought to speak."
"What do you mean? What do you know?"
"Blake, the blacksmith, has been thrashing his son for smoking by the side of the rick. It seems he was passing along the road, and looking in over the hedge, saw him this very morning."
"The young rascal! You may depend he threw a lighted match unwittingly into some loose hay."
"Yes, sir," uneasily. "But he wasn't alone; Master Theodore was with him."
"Theodore!"
Very black indeed was the frown on Mr. Barton's brow; and seeing it, the old man, with whom Theodore was a prime favourite, was much distressed and agitated.
"Oh, be gentle with him!" he pleaded. "He is very young! I am sure he meant no harm."
"I had told him not to have anything to do with Tom Blake, and yet it seems he wilfully disobeyed me."