Part 48 (1/2)

”But how did it happen!” said Mrs Millet.

”It's--sit's--sit's--sit's--sit's--sit's--his tricks again,” sobbed Maria.

”Dexter!” cried Helen.

”Yes--es--Miss--es--ma'am,” sobbed Maria. ”I'd dide--I'd dide--I'd-- just half--half--half filled the war--war--war--ter--jug, and he ran-- ran--ran at me with his head--dead in the chest--and then--then--then-- then knocked me dud--dud--dud--down, and I'll go at once, I will-- there.”

”Dexter,” said Helen sternly; ”was this some trick?”

”I don't know,” said the boy sadly. ”I s'pose so.”

”But did you run at Maria and try to knock her down?”

”No,” said Dexter. ”I was going into my room in a hurry, and she was coming out.”

”He did it o' purpose, Miss,” cried Maria viciously.

”That will do, Maria,” said Helen with dignity. ”Mrs Millet, see that these broken pieces are removed. Dexter, come down to the drawing-room with me.”

Dexter sighed and followed, feeling the while that after all the Union School was a happy place, and that he certainly was not happy here.

”It is very unfortunate that you should meet with such accidents, Dexter,” said Helen, as soon as they were alone.

”Yes,” he said piteously, ”ain't it? I say--”

”Well, Dexter!”

”It's no good. I know what he wants to do. He said he wanted to make a gentleman of me, but you can't do it, and I'd better be 'prenticed to a shoemaker, same as lots of boys have been.”

Helen said nothing, but looked at the boy with a troubled gaze, as she wondered whether her father's plan was possible.

”You had better go out in the garden again, Dexter,” she said after a time.

The trouble had been pa.s.sing off, and Dexter leaped up with alacrity; but as he reached the window he saw Dan'l crossing the lawn, and he stopped short, turned, and came back to sit down with a sigh.

”Well, Dexter,” said Helen, ”why don't you go?”

He gave her a pitiful look which went right to her heart, as he said slowly--

”No. I shan't go. I should only get into trouble again.”

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE.

”I say,” said Dexter, a few days later, as he followed Helen into the drawing-room. ”What have I been doing now!”

”I hope nothing fresh, Dexter. Have you been in mischief!”