It was on the third day after this that Gratian on his way home was rather surprised to meet Mr. Cornelius returning as if from the Farm. The school-children knew that the master had been somewhere, for he had left the school in charge of one or two of the head boys and his sister, who lived with him and taught the girls sewing.
He smiled and nodded at Gratian, but did not speak, and the boy could not help wondering if he had been at Four Winds, and why. And as soon as he got home he ran eagerly in to ask.
"Has the master been here, mother? What did he come for?" he called out.
His father and mother were both together in the kitchen, talking rather earnestly.
His father looked at him as he answered—
"Yes, Gratian," he said, "Mr. Cornelius has been here. He had something important to talk to us about. After you have had your tea and done your lessons we will tell you."
"I haven't any lessons, father," he replied. "We had time to do them this afternoon when the master was out."
So as soon as tea was over he was told what it was.
"Your friends at the Big House," began the farmer, "are leaving soon. They daren't stay once it gets really cold. You'll be sorry to lose them, my boy?"
Gratian felt a lump rise in his throat, but he tried to answer cheerfully.