Hughie said nothing in reply, while Thomas sat pondering.
Finally he said, with a sudden inspiration, “Hughie, come along with me, and help me with the potatoes.”
“They won't let me,” grumbled Hughie. “At least father won't. I don't like to ask mother.”
Thomas's eyes opened in surprise. This was a new thing in Hughie.
“I'll ask your mother,” he said, at length. “Get in with me here.”
Still Hughie hesitated. To get away from school was joy enough, to go with Thomas to the potato planting was more than could be hoped for. But still he stood making pictures in the dust with his bare toes.
“There's Fusie,” he said, “and Davie Scotch.”
“Well,” said Thomas, catching sight of those worthies through the trees, “let them come, too.”
Fusie was promptly willing, but Davie was doubtful. He certainly would not go to the manse, where he might meet the minister, and meeting the minister's wife under the present circumstances was a little worse.
“Well, you can wait at the gate with Fusie,” suggested Hughie, and so the matter was settled.