Ned bowed, and set a chair for their visitor.
"I come," said Mr. Graham, for that was the name of Tom's uncle, "to thank you, my young friend, for your kindness to my nephew. I have long intended adopting Tom, and taking him to live with me when he was old enough to learn my trade, which is that of a carpenter, but when I came to Ryefield, a year ago, I found him so different in many respects from what I could have wished, that I gave up my intention, for I could not undertake to teacli a boy who was idle and unsteady. I now find him so much altered for the better, and Farmer Tomkyns gives me such a good account of his behaviour, that I am quite ready to give him a trial. He tells me that he has to thank you, Ned, for his improvement; that he has learned from your example to be steady and industrious, and to try to correct his faults; and that it is you and your good grandmother who have taught him to love his Bible, and take pleasure in going to church. Tom also tells me that it is his fault your nice apricot tree was spoiled. Now there is a nurseryman, a friend of mine, whom I have several times had an opportunity of obliging, and I have no doubt that he will give me for you a strong young tree, at the proper time for planting fruit trees."
Ned thanked Mr. Graham, who then added--
"The town where I live is several miles off, so that you and Tom will not be able to see each other as often as you used, but Tom can walk over here on Sundays, and go with you to Ryefield Church sometimes, and I hope your grandmother will allow you now and then to come and see him."
Ned's grandmother promised that she would; and then Tom told Ned that Farmer Tomkyns had very kindly said he would employ Robert, his younger brother, in place of himself.
"I am glad to hear it," said Ned.
"And so am I," said his grandmother. "It will be a great help to your father, Tom, to have you taken quite off his hands, and one of your brothers employed also."
Tom then said he had heard that Fred Morris had been caught stealing some faggots, and taken before the magistrates, who had sent him to prison.
The next day Farmer Tomkyns told Ned that in consequence of his good behaviour since he had been in his service, he was going to raise his wages.
"Now," said he to himself, "I shall very soon, I trust, be able to get grandmother a cloak with my own earnings."