of Dennis's small round head, and
said in a softer tone: "Oh, it's you, is it, my boy."

Dennis marched straight in at once, and stood at the farmer's elbow. He
was not a bit afraid of Mr Solace, and had prepared just what he meant
to say, so he began without a pause.

"I've come to ask you a favour, please."

"And I wish you'd come at any other time," said Mr Solace
good-naturedly; "but as you're here, out with it."

Dennis's favours were usually connected with jackdaws, or rabbits, or
puppies, and no doubt this would be something of the same kind.

"It's a bigger one than ever I've asked before," continued Dennis, "and
I want it more than anything I've wanted before."

"Fire away!" said the farmer; "only make haste about it, because I'm
busy."

"I want you," said Dennis, speaking slowly and solemnly, as he drew up
closer, "to let Tuvvy stop."

The farmer's face changed. He gave a long low whistle.

"Did he send you to ask me that?" he said.

"No indeed," replied Dennis indignantly; "I thought of it my very own
self. He's promised not to have any more bouts, if you'll keep him on."

Mr Solace got up and stood with his elbow on the mantelpiece, looking
down at Dennis.

"Well, my boy," he said, "that's a thing I must say `No' to. I'm forced
to, by Tuvvy himself. I don't want to send him away. I shan't get
another such a clever chap in his place."

"Then why do you?" asked Dennis.

"Because I can't put up with him any longer; I've been too soft-hearted
already. I've winked at his goings-on again and again, and I've let him
off times out of number. But now my mind's made up."

"But he's _promised_," urged Dennis, "and he's going to walk home the
field-way, so as not to pass the Cross Keys. He says it's the red blind
that draws him in."

"H'm," said the farmer, with a short laugh. "He don't want much
_drawing_, I fancy. And as for his promises--I've had enough of Tuvvy's
promises."

Dennis looked crestfallen. He had not expected this.

"Won't you try him just this _once_ more?" he pleaded.

"Now, look here, Master Dennis," said the farmer; "you know most of my
men. They don't call me a hard master, do they?"

"No," replied Dennis; "they say the gaffer's very kind."

"Well, but there's another thing I've got to think of besides kindness,
and that's justice. It isn't fair, you see, to the other men to let
Tuvvy off. Why, if I did, I shouldn't have a steady workman about the
place soon