ell-known mountain peak, frowning at him, as it seemed now, for the
first time in his life, Ted made his way to cook's quarters.

She was not in the kitchen, but hearing some one coming, she called out
from the back kitchen where she was. That was better still, every step
the farther from the drawing-room, or from Mr. Brand rather, was a gain.
So Ted trotted into the back kitchen, and to prevent cook's thinking
there was anything the matter asked her if he might play with the cat.
He found a piece of string, to which cook tied a cork, and as pussy was
really more of a kitten than a cat, he amused himself for some time by
making her run after it, whistling now and then to keep up his heart,
though had cook looked at him closely she could have seen how white he
was, and how every now and then he threw frightened glances over his
shoulder.

"Your leg's better, Master Ted?" said cook.

"Oh ses, zank thoo," said Ted. "Him's much better."

"You'll have to take care never to touch sharp tools again, won't you?"
she went on, as she bustled about with her work.

"Ses," he said again. But he did not speak with his usual heartiness,
and cook, who, like all the servants, loved the bright, gentle little
fellow, looked at him rather anxiously. Suddenly a sound was
heard--wheels on the gravel drive.

"What's that, cook?" said Ted, starting.

"Only the gentleman's dog-cart--the gentleman that's been to see your
papa. He's going away," said cook composedly.

Ted hurried into the kitchen. From the window the drive could be seen by
big people, though not by him.

"Lift me up on the table, please, cook," he said, and when cook
good-naturedly did so, and he saw the giant really, actually driving
away, Ted could almost have cried with pleasure. But his fears and his
relief he kept in his own little heart.

"Zank thoo, cook," he said gravely, but with the pretty courtesy he
never forgot. "Zank thoo, and please lift me down again."

"He's a funny little fellow," said cook to herself, as she watched Ted
trot off. "I wonder what he'd got in his mind, bless him."

Ted reappeared in the drawing-room.

"Where have you been, dear?" said his mother. "We were looking about for
you to say good-bye to Mr. Brand. Where did you go to?"

"Ted were in the kitchen, 'peaking to cook," he replied.

"But why did you go away, dear, while Mr. Brand was here?" asked his
mother. "Were you frightened of his dog?"

"No," said Ted, "Ted's never frig