Harry, she exclaimed--

"So it's you as have taken our boy off, is it?"

"Sit down, my good woman, sit down, and I will explain my reason for
sending for you."

Mrs Blewcome deposited the enormous umbrella which she invariably
carried in the finest weather, upon the clean white tablecloth, and,
seating herself with a bump upon a chair, clasped two very hot hands
upon her lap, and waited.

"When, and where, did you find this little boy?" asked Mr Campbell.

Mrs Blewcome did not like this point-blank questioning. She fidgetted
in her chair and said nothing. Mr Campbell repeated his question. Mrs
Blewcome repeated her movements, expressive of unwillingness to reply.

"Very well," said Mr Campbell, good-humouredly; "as you won't tell me,
I'll tell you. You found him, two years ago, about three miles outside
Wilton, a small village on the Bristol Channel. He had run away from
school. He told you a long tale about himself, and, among other
things, that he had a father at sea. I am his father. I only landed
here last night, and, by a mere chance, have thus stumbled across my
boy. Had I hunted for him, I dare say I never should have found him."

Mrs Blewcome sat in astonishment. After she had somewhat recovered,
she burst out--

"Well, there, to be sure, I am so glad; dear boy; but I don't know what
I shall do without 'im. I don't know what I shall do, to be sure; and
Blewcome getting that hindolentlike!"

This good-natured, believing speech, touched Alan's heart. There was
no indignation at her prize being carried off by one who was a mere
stranger to her. There was no doubting or disbelieving his reality as
the boy's father, but only unselfish joy that Harry found his own again
at last!

"You are a good soul," said Mr Campbell, quite affected. "I cannot
thank you enough for all your care of my boy. It's been a strange home
for him, but that's no fault of yours. I shall never forget you. Here
is a card; and if you are ever in need, write to me, and I will do all
I can for you."

"So I s'pose I must say good-bye to 'im, sir," asked Mrs Blewcome, with
trembling voice.

"Well, yes," meditated Mr Campbell, "I suppose you must."

And the parting on both sides convinced him how truly kind the good
woman had been to his boy, and how she had completely won his heart.

"Don't be offended, Mrs Blewcome," he added; "but here's a trifle for
you, it'll help you to paint up your caravans. I dare say they