When the tinker woke the next morning the basket stood just inside the stable door, linked through the pilgrim’s staff. On investigation it proved to contain his breakfast and an envelope, and the envelope contained a ten-dollar bill and a letter, which read:
Dear Lad,—I’ll be well on the road when you get this; and with a tongue in my head and luck at my heels, please God, I’ll reach Arden this time. You need not be afraid to use the money—or too proud, either. It was honestly earned and the charity of no one; you can take it as a loan or a gift—whichever you choose. Anyhow, it will bring you after me faster—which was your own promise.
Yours in advance,
P. O’Connell
Surprise, disappointment, indignation, amusement, all battled for the upper hand; but it was a very different emotion from any of these which finally mastered the tinker. He smoothed the bill very tenderly between his hands before he returned it to the envelope; but he did something more than smooth the envelope.
And meanwhile Patsy tramped the road to Arden.