"I can see my daughter's looks in you, Jack," he said. "I fear your life has been a sad one, poor child. It shall be my task to repay you for the hardships you have had to meet in your short life."
Little Jack seemed to take instinctively to the rough-looking but, kind-hearted old man. The poor match boy seemed to have drifted into a haven of rest.
"Shall I ever have to go back to Peggy?" he asked.
"Never, my child. This good lady," indicating Mrs. Manning, "will supply the place of your own mother."
"I will sell matches for you, if you want me to, grandfather. I didn't like working for Peggy, but I will work for you."
"My dear Jack, instead of working you must go to school, and learn all you can. When you are grown up, it will be time for you to work."
It soon became noised about that the little boy, who was seen about the village with Mark, was the hermit's grandson. But the grandson of old Anthony was not considered a very important person, and only excited passing interest.
Mark was let into the secret of the new home to which Mr. Taylor proposed to move, and he was naturally pleased to think that his mother's condition was to be so much improved.
Nothing had leaked out in the village, however, about the contemplated removal.
The week was nearly ended when Mark happened to meet James Collins in the street. James had been informed by his father that Mrs. Manning had received notice to leave the cottage, and it gratified his dislike of Mark. What puzzled him was, Mark's apparent indifference and evident good spirits.