“Go ’long!” cried she again; but she sidled up to him and held on to his arm once more as she spoke, the blasts of the storm at the moment being especially boisterous.
“Is that you, Mary?” repeated the voice in front, now much nearer, her answer not having been heard apparently, on account of the wind blowing from the speaker towards them.
“Yes, sir,” she screamed out. “I’ve found Master Teddy, and he’s all right.”
She was heard this time.
“Thank God!” returned the voice in trembling accents, nearer still; and then a thin, haggard, careworn-looking man in clergyman’s dress rushed up to them.
He was quite breathless, and his face pale with emotion.
“Padie! Padie!” exclaimed the mite, raising himself up on Jupp’s shoulder and stretching out one of his little hands to the new-comer while the other grasped the kitten. “I’se turn back, I’se turn back to oo!”
“My boy, my little lamb! God be praised for his mercy!” cried the other; and the next instant Teddy was locked in his father’s arms in a close embrace, kitten and all.
“Say, Miss Mary,” whispered Jupp, taking advantage of the opportunity while Mr Vernon’s back was turned.
“What?” she asked, looking up into his face demurely.