bout a shame!" he cried indignantly, bringing his fat
fist down upon the table with such a thump as to make his audience start
out of their seats and cause himself a twinge of pain.

"Why can't she let the boy alone? Poor little chap! She's always
a-nagging at him; and to hear her going on at the captain is enough to
make yer tear yer hair. And he sits there in front of her as tame as a
girl, and gives her back gentle words. Bah! I hates it! Yer wouldn't
think at such times as he's got a name for miles round here as the
daringest rider after hounds; but that's what he has, as anyone would
tell yer. And yet, when he gets in front of her, and she starts to
tackle him, he's as mild as milk, and scarcely dares to answer her.
She's a vixen, that's what she is, cook, and I can tell yer I ain't much
in love with her. Why don't he pitch into her a bit? But I dare say he
acts all for peace! He dislikes a row, as all gentlemen does, and his
motter is `Least said the soonest mended'. 'Tain't the way I'd do it if
I was in his shoes! I'd pretty soon make her leave the boy alone and
stop her talk, I can assure yer!"

Banks shook his head in a threatening manner, and finding that his
outburst of indignation had gained for him the sympathy and admiration
of his fellow-servants, gave a deep grunt of satisfaction, and was on
the point of launching forth afresh when a bell, rung from Mrs
Somerton's boudoir, sounded in the passage.

With a startled "Oh, lor!" he was himself again. His flushed features
at once assumed their accustomed impassiveness, and with a hasty hitch
at his tie to place it in the most exact position, he slipped hurriedly
from the kitchen to obey the summons.

And now to follow the boy who had been weeping so bitterly on the
stairs. Having gained the landing above, he entered a large room which
was evidently set aside for the lads to play in. It was carpeted with
felt, almost bare of furniture, and had stacks of cricket bats and balls
and other implements in its various corners. Encircling the room, and
running close to the wall, was a miniature set of rails, with a
wonderfully-constructed station near the fireplace; while opposite the
door there was a long tunnel, built up with artificial bricks and earth,
from the mouth of which a beautiful model locomotive had half emerged,
and remained there stationary, waiting for steam to get up again, and
hinting gently to its two old playmates that they were s