"Such were my instructions," he said, taken aback by her manner. "You
had no instructions. What do you mean by getting our skates into your
charge under false pretences? I was about to send the police to take
them from you. How dare you tell me that you were sent to wait on me,
when you know very well that you were nothing of the sort?"

"I couldn't help it, Miss," he replied submissively. "I am a natural
born liar--always was. I know that it must appear dreadful to you that
never told a lie, and don't hardly know what a lie is, belonging as you
do to a class where none is ever told. But common people like me tells
lies just as a duck swims. I ask your pardon, Miss, most humble, and I
hope the young ladies'll be able to tell one set of skates from t'other;
for I'm blest if I can."

"Put them down. Miss Wilson wishes to speak to you before you go. Susan,
show him the way."

"Hope you ain't been and got a poor cove into trouble, Miss?"

"Miss Wilson knows how you have behaved."

He smiled at her benevolently and followed Susan upstairs. On their way
they met Jane, who stole a glance at him, and was about to pass by, when
he said:

"Won't you say a word to Miss Wilson for a poor common fellow, honored
young lady? I have got into dreadful trouble for having made bold to
assist you this morning."