Harry passed over the bank bill, and Joel said:

"Dad's gone to the village, and mam's gone over to Mrs. Bean's. All
you've got to do is to go downstairs, and walk out."

Harry was by no means slow to take the hint.

"Good-by, Joel," he said, extending his hand; "I won't forget the
favor you've done me."

"I don't know what dad'll say. There'll be an awful fuss. Just give me
a box on the ear, won't you?"

"What for?"

"I'll tell dad you gave me an awful clip on the side of the head, and
ran off, though I tried to stop you."

"All right," said Harry, laughing.

He gave Joel the required box on the ear, tripped him up, laying him
gently on his back on the landing, and then, with a friendly
"good-by," he ran down the stairs, and before Mrs. Fox returned from
her call was a mile away.

She found Joel wiping his eyes.

"What's the matter, Joel?" she asked.

"That boy, Harry, called me upstairs, and got me to open the door.