[CHAPTER I.]
CHARLEY'S POLITENESS.
"LITTLE boy! Can you tell me which is the road to Norwich?" asked Mr. Bryant.
Oscar Russel stood by the side of the road, with his fingers in his mouth. He heard the gentleman's question; but, instead of answering, he only stared at the carriage, the persons seated in it, and at the horse, pawing in his impatience to be gone.
"Are you deaf, child? Is this the direct road?" again inquired Mr. Bryant, feeling annoyed at the boy's obstinacy.
"There's a sign-board on ahead," said a woman, opening the door of the house opposite. "You'll find the way by that."
"That child has never learned politeness," remarked the lady in the carriage, smiling.
They rode on for another mile, when they came to a neat cottage set on the side of a hill. There was a pretty garden in front with cowslips and other flowers, all in bloom. At the side of the house there was a wide gate which stood open, and a cart, loaded with gravel, was rolling toward the barn, while the fat oxen drawing it were steaming from their toiling up the hill.
Mr. Bryant's horse went slowly, and both the lady and gentleman gazed at the rural scene. When they were opposite the front gate, a pleasant face, surrounded by dark auburn curls, peeped out at them from among the flowers.