"Yes, indeed, sir," answered the boy. "Father, when he was a-dying, bade God bless us, and prayed that if grandfather lived he might send him to support us. I have told sister," said he, "that she should not take it so to heart. She can knit already, and I shall soon be able to dig. We shall not starve, sister, indeed we shall not, nor shall grandfather neither."
The little girl cried afresh. Harley kissed off her tears, and wept between every kiss.
V.--The Man of Feeling is Jealous
Shortly after Harley's return home his servant Peter came into his room one morning with a piece of news on his tongue.
"The morning is main cold, sir," began Peter.
"Is it?" said Harley.
"Yes, sir. I have been as far as Tom Dowson's to fetch some barberries. There was a rare junketting at Tom's last night among Sir Harry Benson's servants. And I hear as how Sir Harry is going to be married to Miss Walton. Tom's wife told it me, and, to be sure, the servants told her; but, of course, it mayn't be true, for all that."
"Have done with your idle information," said Harley. "Is my aunt come down into the parlour to breakfast?"
"Yes, sir."
"Tell her I'll be with her immediately."