any other boys you like, can run
over to see you at any time; and you will be out of the noise of the
playground."

"I wonder how it is there is so little noise from the playground here,"
said Hugh.

"It is because the boys have been careful to make no noise since your
accident. We cannot expect them to put themselves under such restraint
for long."

"O no, no! I had better go. But, mother, you--you--aunt Shaw is very
kind, but--"

"I shall stay with you as long as you want me."

Hugh was quite happy.

"But how in the world shall I get there?" he presently asked. "It is
two whole miles; and we can't lay my leg up in the gig: besides its
being so cold."

His mother told him that his uncle had a very nice plan for his
conveyance. Mr Annanby approved of it, and thought he might be moved
the first sunny day.

"What, to-morrow?"

"Yes, if the sun shines."

Mr Tooke unbolted the shutter, and declared that it was such a bright
starry evening that he thought to-morrow would be fine.

The morning was fine; and during the very finest part of it came Mr
Shaw. He told Hugh that there was a good fire blazing at home in the
back room that looked into the garden, which was to be Hugh's. From the
sofa by the fire-side one might see the laurustinus on the grass-plot,--
now covered with flowers: and when the day was warm enough to let him
lie in the window, he could see the mill, and all that was going on
round it.

Hugh liked the idea of all this: but he still looked anxious.

"Now tell me," said his uncle, "what person in all the world you would
like best for a companion?"

"In all the world!" exclaimed Hugh. "Suppose I say the Great Mogul!"

"Well; tell us how to catch him, and we will try. Meantime, you can
have his picture. I believe we have a pack of cards in the house."

"But do you mean really, uncle,--the person I should like best in all
the world,--out of Crofton?"

"Yes; out with it!"

"I should like Agnes best," said Hugh, timidly.

"We thought as much. I am glad we were right. Well, my boy, Agnes is
there."

"Agnes there! Only two miles off! How long will she stay?"

"O, there is no hurry about that. We shall see when you are well what
to do next."

"But will she stay till the holidays?"

"O yes, longer than that, I hope."

"But then she will not go home with me for the holidays?"

"Never mind about the holidays now. Your holidays begin to-day. You
have nothing to do but