Eleanora H. Stooke

“ I expect they will all despise me, but I can't have Kitty asking me to forgive her, when—Oh, I don't think I ever before told such a big lie as the one I told her, and it's worried me ever since."
"I'm glad to hear it, my boy; it shows me you're not in the habit of uttering falsehoods, It's a grand thing to be truthful, for it takes a deal of courage to be that."
"Yes, indeed it does," Tim rejoined with a sigh.
"The path of truth is difficult to walk because it's steep at times," Mr. Shuttleworth said gravely, "but you know the old adage about putting a stout heart to a steep hill, don't you? ”

“ So Snip, looking decidedly crestfallen, turned his attention once more to his young mistress and master; and Tim went on, his head held haughtily, his hands thrust deep into his trousers' pockets.
"Don't you think we ought to have told him that it was not our fault that Snip did harm to his garden?" asked Kitty of her brother, glancing over her shoulder at Tim's retreating form. She spoke rather indistinctly, because her mouth was full of sweets.
"What! After the way he spoke to us?" cried Bob. "Not likely. Let the fellow think what he likes." ”

“ He had been watching the two young gardeners intently; but when he perceived they noticed him he looked a trifle embarrassed, and his freckled countenance deepened in colour.
"Yes, he must be on a ladder," Bob agreed. "The idea of his spying on us like that! I shall take no notice of him!"
"Nor I," said Kitty; and she turned her attention to her garden again; but she could not refrain from glancing at the partition wall frequently, and every time she did so there was still the ugly boy watching them. ”

“ Glanville glanced at his wife, who shook her head. Kitty had been in disgrace that morning, having left her bedroom untidy and been impertinent to Mary, who had remonstrated with her about it; consequently she had been given some sewing to do by her mother for a punishment, and the duster she was hemming was not half done yet, though she might have finished it before if she had liked.
"It's miserable being a girl," she murmured dolefully, as the boys followed her father from the room. "I do so hate sewing—nothing makes me so hot." ”

“ Kitty and Bob scarcely ever think of the old days now when they were so prejudiced against Tim Shuttleworth, and there is no one for whom Kitty has a greater liking and regard than the boy whom she once looked upon as her enemy. ”

“ She filled her basket with the fragrant flowers, after which she sat down on the moss-covered trunk of a fallen tree, and ate her chocolates, sharing them with Snip.
"There!" she cried, as she popped the last chocolate into her mouth, and rose. "Now we'll go to Lang's pond—we've as much right there as anyone, eh, Snip? Still, I think I'd better lead you. Bob can't complain if I do that." ”

“ Tim answered in a low tone. "But I thought—I was afraid that they might not care to come. What did they say, Mrs. Glanville, when they heard it was I who overturned the hutch?" he inquired with considerable anxiety.
"Of course they were greatly astonished, but neither of them believe you meant to injure the rabbit; they know you are not in the least cruel. Kitty was hurt because you had told her a falsehood and Bob was incredulous at first—it seems he had formed a very high opinion of your sense of honour and truth." ”

“ Kitty confessed ingenuously.
Tim laughed. "Do you know that your mother has asked me to go to the grammar school sports with her next week?" he asked. "Yes, she has," he continued, as the little girl shook her head. "Isn't it jolly and thoughtful of her? Bob said he could get a card of invitation for Uncle John; but sports aren't in his line, he says; and I'm glad they're not, for I'd far rather go with Mrs. Glanville. I suppose you'll be there too, won't you?"
"Oh, yes, and father. You know Bob's going in for several races besides the high jump. I wouldn't miss the sports for anything. ”

“ Mrs. Glanville replied. "He cleans out the hutch every day, I believe. He offered to take charge of your pet, and we were glad he could do so; for, you know, Bob has little spare time, what with his lessons and practising for the sports."
"It's very kind of Tim," admitted Kitty, rather grudgingly.
"Tim is kind," said Mrs. Glanville, in a tone of decision; "and he has been greatly concerned about you, my dear; he continually calls to know how you are. ”

“ Glanville was a retired tea-planter, and that both Bob and Kitty had been born in Ceylon; that Bob now attended the B— Grammar School, and that Kitty went to a private school for girls. In return, he told what a very dull time he was having with his uncle, who kept him all day by himself.
"What do you think of him, Bob?" whispered Kitty to her brother when Tim was talking to her mother after tea.
"I don't fancy he's a bad sort," was the unexpected reply.
"Don't you?" she questioned dubiously.
"No. He improves upon acquaintance. I say, you might show him your rabbit, I think." ”

“ How would you like to be a pupil at the B— Grammar School, Tim?"
"As a boarder, do you mean, Uncle John? Father is always talking of sending me to boarding-school, but I don't believe he can afford it. How I wish he could send me to the Grammar School here!"
"You would like that?"
"Rather! But it's so far away from home—my journey money to and from for the holidays would be so much, wouldn't it?"
"I think B— suits you," Mr. Shuttleworth observed, regarding his nephew thoughtfully. "You are looking much better than when you arrived." ”

“ Mary procured warm water and a sponge, and bathed Snip's injured ears, and bound up the wound in his neck. When the kind-hearted girl had finished her ministrations, the little dog crept into the box where he always slept under the kitchen table, and curled himself up to rest.
"I expect he feels done up, poor thing," said cook. "I'll be bound to say he'll think twice before he attacks a monkey again."
"Miss Kitty is done up, too," observed Mary. "You'd best have your supper and go to bed, miss; you oughtn't to have walked so far with that weak foot of yours." ”

“ Bob paused, and after a little further reflection continued gravely, "I tell you what, we won't say a word to Tim about Tom Hatch's not having sent the rabbit; but I'll make a few inquiries and try to find out where Fluffy came from. I dare say I shall get at the truth. Lots of the Grammar School boys keep rabbits, and they'll be sure to know who keeps Angoras."
"I believe Fluffy is pure-bred," observed Kitty complacently. "The butcher's boy said so, and I expect he knows." ”

“ A great longing possessed Tim to confide in some one, and, obeying the impulse of the moment, he opened his heart to his uncle, and told him how he had killed Kitty's rabbit and subsequently denied having overturned the hutch, how he had tried to make amends, and how Kitty's humble request for forgiveness for her suspicion of him and her assurance that she knew he would not tell a lie for the world had made him feel the falsity and cowardice of his past conduct. Mr. Shuttleworth listened without remark until his nephew had finished his confession ”

“ Nevertheless Bob was not altogether pleased when, ten minutes later, standing by the side of Tim Shuttleworth, on the edge of Lang's pond, his eyes fixed on the float of his fishing rod, he heard a shout and recognised his sister's voice.
"It's Kitty," Tim informed him. "She's brought Snip with her, but she has him on the leash."
"Well, boys, what sport?" Kitty questioned, as she joined them. "The fish are biting well, I suppose, after the rain? ”

“ Dottin again turned his attention to the children, Snip crept from behind the box, and sniffing the ground as he went, with a puzzled expression on his sharp little face, as though his sensitive nostrils had scented a smell he did not understand, as indeed was the case, he stealthily passed into the parlour beyond.
A few minutes later a series of barks—sharp and aggressive—broke upon the ears of the trio in the shop; and Kitty, who was concluding her tale, stopped suddenly, and exchanged a dismayed glance with her brother.
"That's our dog," Bob explained to Mr. Dottin. "I know his voice. ”

“ Mr. Shuttleworth nodded, well pleased. "Tim," he began seriously by-and-by, "I've been considering that I do not altogether like your receiving so much hospitality from our neighbours next door without your making some return."
"Oh, Uncle John!" cried Tim, fearing he was going to be told that he must not continue to run in and out of the Glanvilles' home.
"What do you say to asking the Glanville children to spend next Saturday afternoon with you here?" suggested Mr. Shuttleworth. "Deborah would do her best to get you a nice tea, I'm certain." ”

“ How do you manage to keep Snip off your flower-beds? I see he doesn't do any damage in your garden."
"No, because he knows it's ours; and that's why he doesn't interfere with Fluffy. If he saw a rabbit anywhere else he'd kill it in an instant. Snip's very sharp; he always was, even as a tiny puppy. I believe he knows all we say to him; and see how excited he gets if we ask him if he's going walking. I'm afraid he has rather a dull time when we're at school, though father takes him out in the afternoons ”

“ Mr. Glanville said, "and I am not surprised that old Dottin was angry with you for taking the dog in his shop. No doubt he is as much attached to his monkey as you are to Snip. By the way, I suppose the monkey was not injured?"
"Not in the least, father," Bob replied. "Snip got much the worst of the battle."
"I think you should have told us at tea-time where you intended going this evening," Mrs. Glanville remarked. "The walk was too long for Kitty. If you really suspect that Tim Shuttleworth purchased the rabbit from old Dottin, ask the boy himself and no doubt he will tell you." ”

“ Shuttleworth's garden, her face brightened, and she half hoped he would speak to her, so that she was rather pleased than otherwise when he came closer and suddenly glanced up. He caught sight of her immediately, and a friendly smile crossed his countenance.
"Hullo!" he cried by way of greeting. "I say you're in a regular nest of flowers," he proceeded. "Even Uncle John noticed that tree this morning—he said he had never seen it so full of bloom before. ”

“ Kitty assented. She took Snip into the house, and shut herself into the dining-room with him, feeling deeply aggrieved. Mr. and Mrs. Glanville had gone away for the day, therefore it was exceedingly unkind of Bob, she considered, to go off with Tim Shuttleworth and leave her.
"He makes a great deal too much of Tim," she reflected. "It's all very well to let bygones be bygones, but Bob seems to have forgotten altogether how disgusted he was with Tim at one time, and is making him his chief friend. I haven't such a short memory as Bob." ”

“ I dare say. Perhaps it was foolish of me to take it for granted that Tom Hatch had kept his word; but when I saw the rabbit I never dreamt of suspecting it came from anyone else. Not a word to Tim, mind. ”

“ Mr. Shuttleworth replied. "He is a fine, handsome boy. So the girl has quite recovered from the results of her accident?"
"Oh, yes; she went with us this afternoon, you know. She's still a bit lame, but she's nearly all right; and she's going back to school on Monday—she isn't keen to go, but Mrs. Glanville says, as she was well enough to go to the sports, she must be well enough to go to school. Bob introduced me to a lot of boys, uncle, but I think I like Jack Richards the best. Wasn't it jolly of him to ask me to his house to tea? His father said he might. Do you know Dr. Richards, uncle?" ”

“ He was always very learned even when he was a boy, I've heard father say. And he hasn't got to work for his living, so he can please himself how he spends his time."
"Is he better off than your father, then?" asked Bob, somewhat diffidently, for he did not know how his companion would take the question.
"Yes," Tim answered calmly, "he has money which an uncle left him. It was very kind of Uncle John to ask me here, but I wish he was more like father," he concluded with a regretful sigh.
"You are to have tea with us," announced Bob, as they came within sight of home. ”

“ You mean—"
"That you shall have the rabbit for two shillings—ready money, of course. You price the rabbit at eighteen-pence, I price it at half-a-crown. Eighteen-pence from a half-a-crown leaves a shilling—split that shilling and the price of the rabbit is two shillings. See? There now, that's fair, isn't it?"
"Yes, I think it is," Tim answered, smiling. "I'll give you two shillings for the rabbit."
"You've a business head on your shoulders. I perceive," observed Mr. Dottin, as he proceeded to open the hutch, "and I like you the better for it. Have you anything to put the rabbit in?" ”

“ You know the schools reopen next week—the Grammar School on Monday and Kitty's school on Thursday. We might go and see Mr. Dottin one Saturday afternoon."
"All right," agreed Tim.
Accordingly the plan was left in abeyance.
"I wish I was going to have a term's holiday, like you," said Bob a short while later, as they left the market-place and turned homewards. "It's so jolly to be able to do just what one likes, and Mr. Shuttleworth doesn't interfere with you in any way, does he?"
"Oh, no," Tim rejoined. "Sometimes I wish he did. He spends most of his days shut up in his study. ”

“ When Jacob Dottin's shop was reached Snip was just turning the corner of the street. So Bob opened the shop door quickly, and, pushing his sister in before him, entered himself, and shut the door behind him.
"What can I do for the pretty little lady?" Mr. Dottin proceeded to inquire amiably. "Sell her a singing bird, eh? I've a wonderful collection of canaries, varying in price from five to fifteen shillings. There's one now—a young one—singing as though he'd split his throat. Too noisy? ”

“ It was nearly a week before Kitty was fit to stand on her injured foot again, and then she was only able to limp about—"a lame duck," her brother called her. Nevertheless, she declared her intention of attending the grammar school sports. And, much to her joy, Dr. Richards gave it as his opinion that it would do her no harm to go, if she was driven to the ground where the sports were to be held, and sat down as much as she could whilst she was there. ”

“ But calm yourself, Kitty, and don't jump to a conclusion which may be quite wrong. You say you saw a boy reaching into the scullery window, and afterwards carry away a basket. Are you sure it was Tim? May it not have been another boy of about his height and size? Moonlight is very deceptive, remember. ”

“ He was soon to know, for in a very short while Bob returned, followed by his parents, and the two servants, who all congregated around Kitty, and presently Tim heard Mr. Glanville say, "No dog did it, so Snip is guiltless, at any rate, although of course he might have overturned the box, but I don't think he could have done that. It must have been instantaneous death for the poor thing. You can be sure it did not suffer at all, Kitty, and that thought is very comforting, so dry your eyes, there's a good girl. ”