Part 40 (1/2)

”Dear me!” said Mr Maxted dryly, ”it never sounds comic to my ears, for there is so much sincerity in the simple act of praise But we are homely country people down here, and very rustic no doubt to you”

”Confounded young prig!” said Mr Maxted, as he walked back to the Vicarage ”I felt as if I could kick hiyman on a Sunday,” he added ”But he didfriend?” cried Saht ”Nice ti fellow But it serves you right for being so cocky and obstinate when you had such chances along with us”

Toreat deal, and had the satisfaction of feeling that the gap between hi wider and wider

”I suppose he is a far superior fellohat I am,” the boy said to hie”

It was the dreariest Sunday he had ever passed, but he rose the next hest spirits, for Saet off back to town directly after breakfast

”If Uncle Jao too,” he said to himself as he dressed, ”how much pleasanter it would be!”

But Uncle Ja at every step, andto leave his bed so soon For he had been compelled to rise on account of two or three business e his son; and he told every one in turn that he was very ree with him; but he ate, as Tom observed, a very hearty breakfast all the same

David had had his own, and had started off at six o'clock to fetch the fly, which arrived in good ti to himself that it would not have been loriousto see your cousin off?” said Uncle Richard, just as breakfast was over ”You wouldn't mind the walk back, Tom?”

”Oh no, uncle,” said the boy, who felt startled that such a re about the walk

But Too across to the station, for Uncle James interposed

”No, no, don't send hi in my bath-chair for two days, and I fancy that is why I feel so exhausted this ”

”Oh, I don't mind,” said Sa of business all the time”

”At last,” said Tom to himself, as his cousin stepped leisurely into the fly and lit a cigarette

”On'y just time to ketch that there train, sir,” said the driver, who, feeling no fear of his bony horse starting, was down out of his seat to hold open the fly-door

”Then drive faster,” said Sam coolly

”Wish he'd show an tohorse

”Good-bye, clodhopper,” said Saarette, as he threw hi his hand

”Good-bye, Saan to revolve

”He thinks Uncle Richard 'll leave him all his ate ”All that nice place too, and the old wind”

”There's so about arden, and then out into the lane, where he could look right away over the wild common-land, and inhale the fresh warh, I'o back to London on a day like this”