Part 35 (2/2)

”That sounds very much like the coffee-pot lid,” continued Uncle Richard ”Take your cousin in, Toarden while Sam has his breakfast, and then they can have their chat”

”I couldn't do it, dick--I couldn't do it,” groaned his brother piteously ”I'then you,” said Uncle Richard; andsoftly as he drew his breath, Jaravel walk

”Only does thatnoise when he thinks about it,” said Sam, as he entered the house

”No, I've noticed that,” replied Tom; but all the same he felt annoyed by his cousin's brutal indifference ”Letit up myself Don't want it spoiled”

Tom drew back while the hat and cane were deposited in their places; and then the pair entered the little dining-room, where a luncheon tray was already placed at one end of the table, but with coffee-pot and bread-and-butter just being arranged by Mrs Fidler

”Ah, that's your sort,” said Sa beside this?”

”Sos boiled,” said Mrs Fidler rather stiffly

”Hah! that's better,” said Sa fello are you getting on?” he continued, as he seated hian upon the breakfast ”What do you do here--clean the knives and boots?”

”No,” said Toh”

Toh and red as his cousin's hite and delicate

”I help uncle do all sorts of things,” he said quietly, ”and soton Crescent, I'll bet tuppence”

”I haven't yet,” said Toar,” said Sam in a contemptuous tone ”But that's about all you were fit for--sort of gardener's boy”

To in his veins, and his head was hot, for times had altered now, and he was not quite the same lad as the one who had submitted to be tyrannised over in town He was about to utter sory retort, but he checked himself

”I won't quarrel with him,” he said to himself; and just then Mrs Fidler appeared with a covered dish, which she placed before the visitor

”Thankye,” he said shortly ”Take the cover aith you”

There was always a line or two--anxious-looking lines--upon Mrs Fidler's forehead; now five or six appeared, and her eyebrows suddenly grew closer together, and her lips tightened into a thin line, as she took off the cover, and then went in a very dignified way fros directly, anda word or t and then at his cousin, and asking a few questions, but in an offhand, assu at To him till he had finished his breakfast, when he rose, cleared his voice, rang the bell, brushed a few cruarette case

”There!” he said; ”I'll join thearden now Which is the way?”

”I'll take you,” said Tom; and just as Mrs Fidler entered, followed by the arette, and walked out into the little hall and out into the porch, followed by Tom