Part 10 (1/2)

”Oh, then you are back at the farm--at Mr. Meare's?” said Miss Lilly. ”I am glad of that.”

”I'm not to say reg'lar there,” said Jesse, ”only half on--for odd jobs so to say. I've been a message to the smithy at Bollins just now,” and certainly, to judge by the leisurely way in which he had been sauntering along when Ferdy's governess first caught sight of him, his ”odd jobs”

did not seem to be of a very pressing description.

”That's a pity,” said the lady.

”Farmer says as he'll take me on reg'lar after a bit,” added Jesse.

”And where are you living, then?” inquired Miss Lilly.

”They let me sleep in the barn,” said Jesse. ”And Sundays I goes to my folk at Draymoor, though I'd just as lief stop away. Cousin Tom and I don't hit it off, and it's worser when he's sober. Lord, miss, he did hide me when he was away on that navvy job!” and Jesse gave a queer sort of grin.

Miss Lilly shuddered.

”And what do you do in the evenings?” she asked.

Jesse looked uncomfortable.

”Loaf about a bit,” he said vaguely.

”That isn't a very good way of spending time,” she said.

Jesse screwed up his lips as if he were going to whistle, but a sudden remembrance of the respect due to the young lady stopped him.

”What's I to do else, miss?” he said.

”Well, you've something to do to-night, any way,” she replied. ”If you can finish the pig's head, I am sure Master Ferdy will be delighted to have it. I won't tell him about it,” as she detected a slight look of disappointment on Jesse's face, ”oh no, it must be a surprise. But if you call at the Watch House the first time you are pa.s.sing after it is ready, I will see if I can get leave for you to see him yourself for a few minutes. The afternoon would be the best time, I think.”

The boy's face beamed.

”Thank you, miss; thank you kindly,” he said. ”I'll see if I can't get it done to-night.”

And then the two parted with a friendly farewell on each side.

Miss Lilly had a good deal to think of as she finished her walk home.

She felt quite excited at the discovery she had made, and eager to tell her grandfather about it. And she was all the more pleased to see him standing at the gate watching for her as she came within sight, for Dr.

Lilly had something to tell her on his part, too.

”You are late, my dear,” he said, ”late, that is to say, for a Wednesday.”

”Yes, gran,” she replied, ”I had to stay an hour or so with poor Ferdy, as Mrs. Ross and Christine were going out early.”

”Then there is nothing wrong with him,” said the old doctor. ”I get quite nervous about the poor little chap myself. But that was not why I was coming to meet you, Eva; it was to tell you of an invitation I have from my old friend, Mr. Linham, to spend two or three weeks with him travelling in Cornwall. I should much like to go, I don't deny, except for leaving you alone, and I must decide at once, as he wants to know.”

”_Of course_ you must go, dear gran,” replied the girl. ”I don't mind being alone in the least. I daresay Mrs. Ross would be glad to have me more with them, especially if--oh grandfather, I have a lot to talk to you about!”

And then she told him all she had been thinking about Ferdy, and the curious coincidence of meeting Jesse Piggot, and the discovery of his unsuspected talent for wood-carving.

Dr. Lilly listened with great interest. He was pleased with Eva's good sense in not praising the old porker's head too much, and he quite agreed with her that it would be well worth while to encourage little Ferdy's wish to try his own skill in the same direction.