on, I shall have to breakfast alone--another way of
showing him how little his fate has interested me. My foreground here does
want that bit of colour. Why does he not come back?' As she rose to look
at her drawing, the sound of somebody running attracted her attention, and
turning, she saw it was her foot-page Larry coming at full speed.

'What is it, Larry? What has happened?' asked she.

'You are to go--as fast as you can,' said he; which being for him a longer
speech than usual, seemed to have exhausted him.

'Go where? and why?'

'Yes,' said he, with a stolid look, 'you are.'

'I am to do what? Speak out, boy! Who sent you here?'

'Yes,' said he again.

'Are they in trouble yonder? Is there fighting at the village?'

'No.' And he shook his head, as though he said so regretfully.

'Will you tell me what you mean, boy?'

'The pony is ready?' said he, as he stooped down to pack away the things in
the basket.

'Is that gentleman coming back here--that gentleman whom you saw with me?'

'He is gone; he got away.' And here he laughed in a malicious way, that was
more puzzling even than his words.

'And am I to go back home at once?'

'Yes,' replied he resolutely.

'Do you know why--for what reason?'

'I do.'

'Come, like a good boy, tell me, and you shall have this.' And she drew a
piece of silver from her purse, and held it temptingly before him. 'Why
should I go back, now?'

'Because,' muttered he, 'because--' and it was plain, from the glance in
his eyes, that the bribe had engaged all his faculties.

'So, then, you will not tell me?' said she, replacing the money in her
purse.

'Yes,' said he, in a despondent tone.

'You can have it still, Larry, if you will but say who sent you here.'

'_He_ sent me,' was the answer.

'Who was he? Do you mean the gentleman who came here with me?' A nod
assented to this. 'And what did he tell you to say to me?'

'Yes,' said he, with a puzzled look, as though once more the confusion of
his thoughts was mastering him.

'So, then, it is that you will not tell me?' said she angrily. He made no
answer, but went on packing the plates in the basket. 'Leave those there,
and go and fetch me some water from the spring yonder.' And she gave him a
jug as she spoke, and now she reseated herself on the grass. He obeyed at
once, and returned speedily with water.

'Come now, Larry,' said she kindly to him. 'I'm sure you mean to be a good
boy. You shall breakfast with