darker than ever from the contrast. Ellen stood up, and Alfred
exclaimed, 'Oh Sir, please come again soon!'

'Very soon,' said Mr. Cope good-humouredly; 'but you've not got rid
of me yet, the rain is pretty hard still, and I see the beggarmen
dancing all down the garden-walk.'

Alfred and Ellen smiled to hear their mother's old word for the drops
splashing up again; and Mr. Cope went on:

'The garden looks very much refreshed by this beautiful shower. It
is in fine order. Is it the other monarch's charge?'

'Harold's, Sir,' said Ellen. 'Yes, he takes a great pride in it, and
so did Alfred when he was well.'

'Ah, I dare say; and it must be pleasant to you to see your brother
working in it now. I see him under that shed, and who is that lad
with him? They seem to have some good joke together.'

'Oh,' said Ellen, 'Harold likes company, you see, Sir, and will take
up with anybody. I wish you could be so good as to speak to him,
Sir, for lads of that age don't mind women folk, you see, Sir.'

'What? I hope his majesty does not like bad company?' said Mr. Cope,
not at all that he thought lightly of such an evil, but it was his
way to speak in that droll manner, especially as Ellen's voice was a
little bit peevish.

'Nobody knows no harm of the chap,' said Alfred, provoked at Ellen