Gratian raised his brown eyes and fixed them on the master's face.
"Does Tony not want to go?" he asked. "I shouldn't like to take it from him if he wants to go."
"I think he would be happier for you to go," said the master, "and perhaps you may be more suitable. Besides Tony thinks that he owes you something. He has told me of the trick he played you, as you know—and certainly you deserve to be chosen more than he. I am not sure that he would care much about it; but still it will give him pleasure to think he has got it for you, and we may let him have this pleasure."
"Yes, sir," said Gratian thoughtfully. And then he added, "it was good of Tony to ask for it for me."
"Yes, it was," agreed the master.
"Then when am I to go?" asked Gratian.
"This afternoon. I will let you off an hour or so earlier, and you can stay at the Big House till it is dark. It is no farther home from there than from here, if you go by the road at the back of it. We shall see how you get on, and then the lady will tell you about going again."
Gratian still lingered.
"What is it?" said the master. "Do you not think you shall like it?"
"Oh no, sir, oh no," exclaimed the child. "I was only wondering. Are there pictures at the Big House, do you think, sir?"