way with such chaps as
these. They're no good," said Macey.

"Oh, you brute!--I say, don't the poor beggar's sides sound hollow!"

"Hollow! Yes," cried Vane indignantly; "they never feed them, and that
poor thing can't find time to graze."

"No. It will be a blessing for it when it's turned into leather and
glue."

"Go that side, and do as I do," whispered Vane; and they separated, and
took opposite sides of the road, as the two gipsy lads stared hard at
them, and as if to rouse their ire shouted at the wretched pony, and
banged its ribs.

What followed was quickly done. Vane snatched at one stick and twisted
it out of the lad's hand nearest to him Macey followed suit, and the
boys stared.

"It would serve you precious well right if I laid the stick about your
shoulders," cried Vane, breaking the ash sapling across his knee.

"Ditto, ditto," cried Macey doing the same, and expecting an attack.

The lads looked astonished for the moment, but instead of resenting the
act, trotted on after the pony, which had continued to advance; and, as
soon as they were at a safe distance, one of them turned, put his hand
to his mouth and shouted "yah!" while the other took out his knife and
flourished it.

"Soon cut two more," he cried.

"There!" said Macey, "deal of good you've done. The pony will only get
it worse, and that's another notch they've got against you."

"Pish!" said Vane, contemptuously.

"Yes, it's all very well to say pish; but suppose you come upon them
some day when I'm not with you. Gipsies never forget, and you see if
they don't serve you out."

Vane gave him a merry look, and Macey grinned.

"I hope you will always be with me to take care of me," said Vane.

"Do my best, old fellow--do my best, little man. I say, though, do you
mean me to come and have lunch?"

"It'll be dinner to-day," said Vane.

"But won't your people mind?"

"Mind! no. Uncle and aunt both said I was to ask you to come as often
as I liked. Uncle likes you."

"No; does he?"

"Yes; says you're such a rum fellow."

"Oh!"

Macey was silent after that "oh," and the silence lasted till they
reached the manor, for Vane was thinking deeply about the quarrel that
morning; but, as the former approached the house, he felt no misgivings
about his being welcome, the doctor, who was in the garden, coming
forward to welcome him warmly, and Mrs Lee, who heard the voices,
hastening out to join them.

Ten minutes later th