k to town to-day," said Uncle Richard, smiling.

"We shall see about that," said Uncle James, rising from his place, for
the dinner was at an end, and walking firmly enough out of the room.

Uncle Richard frowned and looked troubled. Mrs Fidler looked at Tom,
and as soon as they were alone she began to question him, and heard all.

"Well," she said, "I'm not going to make any remarks, my dear, it isn't
my duty; but I will say this, I don't like to see your dear uncle
imposed upon even by his brother, and I hope to goodness Mr James will
keep his word, for I don't believe you upset him on purpose."

Uncle James did keep his word, for an hour later he was in the fly with
his portmanteau on his way to the station.

"And never give me so much as a shilling, Master Tom, and me been twice
to fetch that fly. If he wasn't your uncle, sir, I'd call him mean.
But what did you say? I'm to fetch the chair, as is lying broken at the
big sand-pit?"

"Yes, in Mr Maxted's cart."

"Did it fall over?"

"Yes, right over, down the slope from top to bottom."

"And him in it, sir?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll forgive him, and young Mr Sam Brandon too. My word, sir,
I'd ha' give something to ha' been there to see."

"But he must have hurt himself, David."

"What there, sir? Tchah! that sand's as soft as silk. Wouldn't like to
come and help fetch the chair, sir?"

"Yes, I should, David; I should like the ride."

"Then come on, sir, and we'll go round the other way from the Vicarage
gates. Right from top to bottom, eh, sir? Well, I would have give
something to ha' been there to see."

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

"Humph!" ejaculated Uncle Richard, as he finished his inspection of the
bath-chair just taken out of the Vicar's cart. "See that the carrier
calls for it, David, to take it back to Guildford; and you, Tom, write
for me to the man it was hired from, pointing out that we have had an
accident, and tell him to send in his bill."

"And it'll be a big 'un, Master Tom," said David, chuckling and rubbing
his hands as soon as his master was out of hearing. "My word, it's got
it, and no mistake. One wheel right off, the front all twissen, and the
axle-tree bent. It'll be like making a new 'un. Tck!"

"You wouldn't laugh like that, David, if you'd got it to pay for," said
Tom.

"True for you, Master Tom; but I wasn't laughing at the ravage, but at
the idee of your uncle, who creeps about thinking he's very bad when he