The sound of his voice revived Teddy like a cordial.

"Do you hate me for blubbering?" he asked anxiously; "wasn't it like a baby?"

"How long had you been up there?" asked Jeffreys.

"It was half-past one when he stood me up. I had only just been looking round to see where Freddy was; and oh, Jeff, I've got to write on a slate just because of a little blot. What's the time now?"

"Half-past five," said Jeffreys, putting on his hat, and swinging Teddy's satchel over his own arm.

"Are you coming with me Jeff?" asked the boy eagerly.

"Of course you couldn't get home alone."

Great was the content of the little fellow as he left Galloway House with his hand on the strong arm of his tutor. Greater still were his surprise and content when, as soon as the streets were past, Jeffreys took him up on his back and carried him the rest of the way to Ash Cottage.

"Thanks, awfully, old Jeff," said the boy, as they parted at the gate of the cottage. "What makes you so kind to Freddy and me?"

"I'm not good at riddles, Teddy. Good-night," and he went.

Jonah, as he was not surprised to find, was expecting him, in a state of high ferment. Jeffreys would fain have avoided an interview. For he was constantly discovering that he was still far from sure of himself.

That afternoon his pa.s.sion had been within an ace of mastering him; and at any time he dreaded something might happen which would undo all the penance of those last six months. He therefore resolved wisely in the present instance to avoid altercation as far as possible.

"Well, sir, and what have you got to say for yourself? Where have you been?" demanded Jonah, in tones of lofty bitterness.

"I have just taken Rosher home. After standing four hours on the form he wasn't fit to walk himself."

"Oh!" snorted Jonah, nearly bursting with indignation; "and pray how--"

"Excuse me, Trimble. If you and Mrs Trimble wish me to leave, I'll do so. If not, don't talk to me. I don't want it."

Poor Jonah nearly had a fit. He, head man of Galloway House, knowing what he did, to be spoken to like this by a stuck-up--murderer!

He had prepared a scene, and had counted on coming to an understanding then and there. And lo and behold! before he had well opened his mouth, he had been ordered to shut it by the very being whom he had at his mercy. It pa.s.sed Jonah's comprehension.

Jeffreys waited a minute to give him a chance of accepting his former alternative. Then, concluding he had decided on the latter, he betook himself to his own room and remained there.

Jonah, as soon as he could recover himself sufficiently to think at all, made up his mind that, come what would, he had had enough of this sort of life. With which conviction he crushed his hat on his head, and sallied forth into the open air.

His feet almost instinctively turned in the direction of Ash Lane; but on this occasion they went past the fatal bank and brought their owner to a halt at the door of Ash Cottage.

"Is Mr Rosher at home?" inquired he of the servant.

Mr Rosher was at home--a jovial, well-to-do farmer, with a hearty Yorkshire voice and a good-humoured grin on his broad face.

"Well, lad, what is't?" he asked, as Trimble, hat in hand, was shown into the little parlour. "Man, it's the little school-maister."

"Yes, Mr Rosher," said Trimble; "I should like five minutes' talk with you if you can spare the time."

"Blaze away, lad. A've nothin' else to do."

"I'm rather anxious about your two dear little boys," began Trimble.

"Thee needn't be that; they're tight lads, and learn quite fast enough."

"It's not that, Mr Rosher, though I hope they do justice to the pains we take with them."

"They nearly killed their mother t'other day on the tricycle," said Mr Rosher, laughing like a young bull. "Was't thee or t'other young chap came to mend t'auld bone-shaker? Twas a kindly turn to the little fellows, and I'm sorry thee didn't stay to tea, lad."

"We always like to try to make them happy," said Jonah. "Indeed, that is what I came to see you about. I'm sorry to say--"

"Thee's come to tell me why Teddy was blubbering when he got home.

Thee'd better tell that to his mother," said the father.

"I'm so sorry to say," pursued Jonah, beginning to wish he was over his task, "my a.s.sistant-master is disappointing me. I took him on half in charity six months ago, but lately he has been having a bad influence in the school, and I thought it, my duty--"

"Tut, tut! The lads have been cheerier this last six months than ever before--"

"Of course we try all we can to make them happy, and shield them from harm," pursued Trimble, "and I am glad you think we have made school happy for them--"

"And is that all thee's come to say?" said the bewildered parent.

"No, sir. Of course in school I can look after the boys and see they come to no harm; but after school hours of course they are out of my control, and then it is I'm afraid of their coming to mischief. My a.s.sistant, I hear, has been in the habit of walking home with them, and from what I know of him he is not a desirable companion for them, and I think it is my duty to put you on your guard, Mr Rosher. They should not be encouraged to see too much of him out of doors or bring him to the house."

"It bothers me why you keep the man if he's that sort!" said Mr Rosher.

"What's wrong with him?"

"I'm afraid he's a bad character. I have only discovered it lately, and intend to dismiss him as soon as I get a new a.s.sistant."

"What dost mean by a bad character? Is he a thief?"

Trimble looked very grave.

"I wish it was no worse than that."

The farmer's jaw dropped.

"What?" said he. "Dost mean to tell me the man's a murderer?"

Jonah looked terribly shocked.

"It's a dreadful thing to suspect any one," said he, "but it would not be right of me to let things go on without warning you. I shall keep your boys under my own eyes all school-time; and I advise you--"

"I don't want thy advice. Take thyself off!"

Jonah saw that to prolong the interview would only make matters worse.

The good father was evidently roused; but whether against him, Jonah, or against Jeffreys, he could scarcely tell. He departed decidedly crestfallen, and more than half repenting of his amiable expedition.

His misgivings were somewhat relieved next morning when Freddy and Teddy put in an appearance punctually at school-time. Jonah considered it expedient under the circ.u.mstances not to refer to Teddy's mutinous conduct on the preceding day--a determination which afforded great comfort to that young gentleman and which he put down by a mysterious process of reasoning to Jeffreys' good offices on his behalf.