he made them both grin again, and then as the rain was over, he
walked away; Paul went back to his turnips, and Harold came
thundering up-stairs in his great shoes. Alfred was cheerful, and
did not mind him now; but Ellen did, and scolded him for the quantity
of dirt he was bringing up with him from the moist garden, which was
all one steam of sweet smells, as the sun drew up the vapour after
the rain.

'If you were coming in, you'd better have come out of the rain, not
stood idling there with that good-for-nothing lad. The new minister
said he would be after you if you were taking up with bad company.'

'Who told you I was with bad company?' said Harold.

'Why, I could see it! I hope he rebuked you both.'

'He asked us if we could play at cricket--and he asked the pony's
name,' said Harold, 'if that's what you call rebuking us!'

'And what did he say to that boy?'

'Oh! he told him he heard he was a stranger here, like himself, and
asked how long he'd been here, and where he came from.'

'And what did he say?'

'He said he was from Upperscote Union--come out because he was big
enough to keep himself, and come to look for work,' said Harold.
'He's a right good chap, I'll tell you, and I'll bring him up to see
Alfy one of these days!'