brought the carriage round so that it was very near upsetting in
a gully.

Frank snatched the reins in time to prevent this catastrophe.

"What did you do that for, Pomp?" he said quickly.

"Wanted to scare de pig," exclaimed Pomp, laughing. "Wanted to
hear him squeal."

"And so you nearly tipped us over."

"Didn't mean to do dat, Mass' Frank. 'Pears like I didn't think."

Mrs. Frost was too much alarmed by this narrow escape to consent
to Pomp's driving again, and for the moment felt as if she should
like to usurp his mother's privilege of spanking him. But the
little imp looked so unconscious of having done anything wrong
that her vexation soon passed away.

In half an hour Pomp was on his way back, laden with a basketful
of provisions for his sick mother and himself.



CHAPTER XI. PUNISHING A BULLY

It was fortunate for Mrs. Frost that she was so soon called upon
to think for others. It gave her less time to grieve over her
husband's absence, which was naturally a severe trial to her. As