“O, travelling about the country a little!” said Jack, seating himself beside the heifer. “I thought I would make the most of my opportunities; I may not have another chance soon.”
“What trick is the fellow up to now?” thought the constable. “He must have settled the affair with Peternot!” So he said aloud, “Have you seen the squire?”
“Not since I left him with you in the court-room. The squire and I are not the best friends in the world, I’m sorry to say. ‘Nice old man, the squire!’ But I’ve called on him once too often.”
“Where was you last night?”
“You kept me last night.”
“I kept you, sonny?” said Sellick, more and more puzzled.
“Yes; I thought it was no more than fair that you should give me a night’s lodging. I won’t ask you to board me; I pay for my own milk, you know.”
“Yes, I know!” Sellick grimaced at the recollection. “But where did you sleep last night? Not under my roof!”
“Yes, I did, under your roof!” laughed Jack.
“Look here, sonny!” cried the incredulous Sellick, “I’ll bet ye a trifle on that! I believe you’re an honest boy, as I’ve said; but you couldn’t have slept under my roof without my knowing it, unless Billy smuggled you in, and he wouldn’t have dared to do it!—Here, Billy!” An old-looking, broad-shouldered, hollow-cheeked youth came into the yard. “Did you take this fellow into my house last night?”