how him every possible
favour in a quiet way, and you must not let Griffith and the others
tease him.'

"'This is an uncommon good pear,' said Stephen, as he bit a great piece
out of one of them.

"'Is it not?' replied his aunt; 'but, Stephen, do you hear me? you must
not let Griffith be playing his tricks on Master Low.'

"'I understand,' answered Stephen, taking another bite at the pear.
'Don't you think I know on which side my bread is buttered yet, aunt?'
he asked; 'though I am near fifteen years of age, and half through
Homer? but you must allow that Bernard Low is an abominably
disagreeable fellow, and one that one should like to duck in a
horse-pond--a whining, puling, mother-spoiled brat; however, I will see
that he shan't be quizzed to his face, and I suppose that's all you
require, is not it?'

"So he put all that remained of what his aunt had given him of the
fruit into his pocket, for himself, and left the room. He went straight
to the yard where the boys played, and scarcely got there in time to
hinder Griffith from beginning his tricks with Bernard, for he had got
a piece of whipcord, and was insisting that the boy should be tied with
it between Meekin and Price, and that they should be the team and he
the driver; and a pretty run would the first and last horse have given
the middle one, had Griffith's plan been executed.

"Bernard was already beginning to whine and put his finger in his eye,
when Stephen came in and called out:

"'Eh, what's that there? David Griffith, let the child alone; he has
not been used to your horseplay.'

"And as Stephen was much bigger and stronger than the other boys, they
all thought it best to give way.

"Bernard was let off, and he walked away, not in the best of tempers,
into the house, and into Miss Evans's own parlour, where she was seated
at her usual employment, darning stockings.

"'Well, Master Low,' she said, 'I hope you find everything agreeable; I
am sure it shall not be my fault if you do not; you have only to say
the word and anything you don't like shall be changed, if it is in my
power.'

"'I don't like that boy,' answered Bernard; 'that David Griffith.'

"'Never mind him, never mind him, Master Low,' replied Miss Evans; 'any
time that he don't make himself agreeable, only come to me; I am always
glad to see you here to sit in my parlour, and warm yourself if it is
cold. You know how much I respect your papa and mamma; there is nothing
I would no