ItwasinvainthatheurgedTarltontopermithimtoconsulthisfriend。
AgloomoverspreadTarlton’sbrowwhenhebegantospeakonthesubject，andhealwaysreturnedaperemptoryrefusal，accompaniedwithsomesuchtauntingexpressionasthis——Iwishwehadnothingtodowithsuchasneakingfellow。he’llbetrayusall，Isee，beforewehavedonewithhim。
Well，saidLoveittohimself，soIamabusedafterall，andcalledasneakingfellowformypains。that’sratherhard，tobesure，whenI’vegotsolittlebythejob。
Intruthhehadnotgotmuch。forinthedivisionofthebootyonlyoneapple，andhalfofanother，whichwasonlyhalfripe，happenedtofalltohisshare。though，tobesure，whentheyhadalleatentheirapples，hehadthesatisfactiontoheareverybodydeclaretheywereverysorrytheyhadforgottentooffersomeoftheirstoPOORLOVEIT。
Inthemeantime，thevisitstotheapple-treehadbeennowtoofrequentlyrepeatedtoremainconcealedfromtheoldmanwholivedinthecottage。
Heusedtoexaminehisonlytreeveryfrequently，andmissingnumbersofrosyapples，whichhehadwatchedripening，he，thoughnotpronetosuspicion，begantothinkthattherewassomethinggoingwrong。
especiallyasagapwasmadeinhishedge，andtherewereseveralsmallfootstepsinhisflowerbeds。
Thegoodoldmanwasnotatallinclinedtogivepaintoanylivingcreature，muchlesstochildren，ofwhomhewasparticularlyfond。Norwasheintheleastavaricious，forthoughhewasnotrich，hehadenoughtoliveupon，becausehehadbeenveryindustriousinhisyouth。andhewasalwaysveryreadytopartwiththelittlehehad。Norwasheacrossoldman。Ifanythingwouldhavemadehimangry，itwouldhavebeentheseeinghisfavouritetreerobbed，ashehadpromisedhimselfthepleasureofgivinghisredapplestohisgrandchildrenonhisbirthday。However，helookedupatthetreeinsorrowratherthaninanger，andleaninguponhisstaff，hebegantoconsiderwhathehadbestdo。
IfIcomplaintotheirmaster，saidhetohimself，theywillcertainlybeflogged，andthatIshouldbesorryfor：yettheymustnotbelettogoonstealing。thatwouldbeworsestill，foritwouldsurelybringthemtothegallowsintheend。Letmesee——oh，ay，thatwilldo。IwillborrowfarmerKent’sdogBarker，he’llkeepthemoff，I’llanswerforit。
FarmerKentlenthisdogBarker，cautioninghisneighbour，atthesametime，tobesuretochainhimwell，forhewasthefiercestmastiffinEngland。Theoldman，withfarmerKent’sassistance，chainedhimfasttothetrunkoftheapple-tree。
Nightcame。andTarlton，Loveitandhiscompanions，returnedattheusualhour。Grownboldernowbyfrequentsuccess，theycameontalkingandlaughing。Butthemomenttheyhadsettheirfootinthegarden，thedogstartedup。and，shakingthechainashesprangforward，barkedwithunremittingfury。Theystoodstillasiffixedtothespot。Therewasjustmoonlightenoughtoseethedog。Letustrytheothersideofthetree，saidTarlton。Buttowhicheversidetheyturned，thedogflewroundinaninstant，barkingwithincreasedfury。
He’llbreakhischainandtearustopieces，criedTarlton。and，struckwithterror，heimmediatelythrewdownthebaskethehadbroughtwithhim，andbetookhimselftoflight，withthegreatestprecipitation。
Helpme！oh，pray，helpme！Ican’tgetthroughthehedge，criedLoveit，inalamentabletone，whilstthedoggrowledhideously，andsprangforwardtotheextremityofhischain。Ican’tgetout！Oh，forGod’ssake，stayformeoneminute，dearTarlton！Hecalledinvain。hewaslefttostrugglethroughhisdifficultiesbyhimself。andofallhisdearfriendsnotoneturnedbacktohelphim。Atlast，tornandterrified，hegotthroughthehedgeandranhome，despisinghiscompanionsfortheirselfishness。NorcouldhehelpobservingthatTarlton，withallhisvauntedprowess，wasthefirsttorunawayfromtheappearanceofdanger。
ThenextmorningLoveitcouldnothelpreproachingthepartywiththeirconduct。Whycouldnotyou，anyofyou，stayoneminutetohelpme？
saidhe。
Wedidnothearyoucall，answeredone。
Iwassofrightened，saidanother，Iwouldnothaveturnedbackforthewholeworld。
Andyou，Tarlton？
I，saidTarlton。hadnotIenoughtodototakecareofmyself，youblockhead？Everyoneforhimselfinthisworld！
SoIsee，saidLoveit，gravely。
Well，man！isthereanythingstrangeinthat？
Strange！why，yes。Ithoughtyoualllovedme！
Lordloveyou，lad！sowedo。butweloveourselvesbetter。
Hardywouldnothaveservedmeso，however，saidLoveit，turningawayindisgust。Tarltonwasalarmed。Pugh！saidhe。whatnonsensehaveyoutakenintoyourbrain！Thinknomoreaboutit。Weareallverysorry，andbegyourpardon。come，shakehands，forgiveandforget。
Loveitgavehishand，butgaveitrathercoldly。Iforgiveitwithallmyheart，saidhe。butIcannotforgetitsosoon！
Why，then，youarenotsuchagoodhumouredfellowaswethoughtyouwere。Surelyyoucannotbearmalice，Loveit。Loveitsmiled，andallowedthathecertainlycouldnotbearmalice。Well，then，come。youknowatthebottomweallloveyou，andwoulddoanythingintheworldforyou。PoorLoveit，flatteredinhisfoible，begantobelievethattheydidlovehimatthebottom，astheysaid，andevenwithhiseyesopenconsentedagaintobeduped。
Howstrangeitis，thoughthe，thatIshouldsetsuchvalueupontheloveofthoseIdespise！WhenI’monceoutofthisscrape，I’llhavenomoretodowiththem，I’mdetermined。
ComparedwithhisfriendHardy，hisnewassociatesdidindeedappearcontemptible。forallthistimeHardyhadtreatedhimwithuniformkindness，avoidedtopryintohissecrets，yetseemedreadytoreceivehisconfidence，ifithadbeenoffered。
Afterschoolintheevening，ashewasstandingsilentlybesideHardy，whowasrulingasheetofpaperforhim，Tarlton，inhisbrutalmanner，cameup，andseizinghimbythearm，cried，Comealongwithme，Loveit，I’vesomethingtosaytoyou。
Ican’tcomenow，saidLoveit，drawingawayhisarm。
Ah，docomenow，saidTarlton，inavoiceofpersuasion。
Well，I’llcomepresently。
Nay，butdo，pray。there’sagoodfellow，comenow，becauseIhavesomethingtosaytoyou。
Whatisityou’vegottosaytome？Iwishyou’dletmealone，saidLoveit。yetatthesametimehesufferedhimselftoheledaway。
Tarltontookparticularpainstohumourhimandbringhimintotemperagain。andeventhoughhewasnotveryapttopartwithhisplaythings，wentsofarastosay，Loveit，theotherdayyouwantedatop。I’llgiveyoumineifyoudesireit。
Loveitthankedhim，andwasoverjoyedatthethoughtofpossessingthistop。Butwhatdidyouwanttosaytomejustnow？
Ay，we’lltalkofthatpresently。notyet——whenwegetoutofhearing。
Nobodyisnearus，saidLoveit。
Comealittlefartherhowever，saidTarlton，lookingroundsuspiciously。
Wellnow，well？
Youknowthedogthatfrighteneduslastnight？
Yes。
Itwillneverfrightenusagain。
Won’tit？howso？
Lookhere，saidTarlton，drawingsomethingfromhispocketwrappedinabluehandkerchief。
What’sthat？Tarltonopenedit。Rawmeat！exclaimedLoveit。Howcameyoubyit？
Tom，theservantboy，Tomgotitforme。andI’mtogivehimsixpence。
Andisitforthedog？
Yes。IvowedI’dberevengedonhim，andafterthishe’llneverbarkagain。
Neverbarkagain！Whatdoyoumean？Isitpoison？exclaimedLoveit，startingbackwithhorror。
OnlypoisonforADOG，saidTarlton，confused。youcouldnotlookmoreshockingifitwaspoisonforaChristian。
Loveitstoodfornearlyaminuteinprofoundsilence。Tarlton，saidheatlast，inachangedtoneandalteredmanner，Ididnotknowyou。I
willhavenomoretodowithyou。
Nay，butstay，saidTarlton，catchingholdofhisarm，stay。Iwasonlyjoking。
Letgomyarm——youwereinearnest。
ButthenthatwasbeforeIknewtherewasanyharm。Ifyouthinkthere’sanyharm？
IF，saidLoveit。
Why，youknow，Imightnotknow。forTomtoldmeit’sathingthat’softendone。AskTom。
I’llasknobody！Surelyweknowbetterwhat’srightandwrongthanTomdoes。
Butonlyjustaskhim，tohearwhathe’llsay。
Idon’twanttohearwhathe’llsay，criedLoveit，vehemently：thedogwilldieinagonies——inagonies！Therewasadogpoisonedatmyfather’s——Isawhimintheyard。Poorcreature！Helayandhowledandwrithedhimself！
Poorcreature！Well，there’snoharmdonenow，criedTarlton，inahypocriticaltone。ButthoughhethoughtfittodissemblewithLoveit，hewasthoroughlydeterminedinhispurpose。
PoorLoveit，inhastetogetaway，returnedtohisfriendHardy。buthismindwasinsuchagitation，thatheneithertalkednormovedlikehimself。andtwoorthreetimeshisheartwassofullthathewasreadytoburstintotears。
Howgood-naturedyouaretome，saidhetoHardy，ashewastryingvainlytoentertainhim。butifyouknew——Herehestoppedshort，forthebellforeveningprayerrang，andtheyalltooktheirplaces，andkneltdown。Afterprayers，astheyweregoingtobed，LoveitstoppedTarlton，——WELL！askedhe，inaninquiringmanner，fixinghiseyesuponhim。
WELL！repliedTarlton，inanaudacioustone，asifhemeanttosethisinquiringeyeatdefiance。
Whatdoyoumeantodoto-night？
Togotosleep，asyoudo，Isuppose，repliedTarlton，turningawayabruptly，andwhistlingashewalkedoff。
Oh，hehascertainlychangedhismind！saidLoveittohimself，elsehecouldnotwhistle。
Abouttenminutesafterthis，asheandHardywereundressing，Hardysuddenlyrecollectedthathehadlefthisnewkiteoutuponthegrass。
Oh，saidhe，itwillbequitespoiledbeforemorning！
CallTom，saidLoveit，andbidhimbringitinforyouinaminute。
TheybothwenttothetopofthestairstocallTom。nooneanswered。
Theycalledagainlouder，IsTombelow？
I’mhere，answeredheatlast，comingoutofTarlton’sroomwithalookofmixedembarrassmentandeffrontery。AndashewasreceivingHardy’scommission，Loveitsawthecornerofthebluehandkerchiefhangingoutofhispocket。ThisexcitedfreshsuspicionsinLoveit’smind。but，withoutsayingoneword，heimmediatelystationedhimselfatthewindowinhisroom，whichlookedouttowardsthelane。and，asthemoonwasrisen，hecouldseeifanyonepassedthatway。
Whatareyoudoingthere？saidHardy，afterhehadbeenwatchingsometime。whydon’tyoucometobed？Loveitreturnednoanswer，butcontinuedstandingatthewindow。Nordidhewatchlonginvain。
PresentlyhesawTomglidingslowlyalongaby-path，andgetoverthegateintothelane。
He’sgonetodoit！exclaimedLoveitaloud，withanemotionwhichhecouldnotcommand。
Who’sgone？todowhat？criedHardy，startingup。
Howcruel！howwicked！continuedLoveit。
What’scruel——what’swicked？speakoutatonce！returnedHardy，inthatcommandingtonewhich，inmomentsofdanger，strongmindsfeelthemselvesentitledtoassumetowardsweakones。Loveitinstantly，thoughinanincoherentmanner，explainedtheaffairtohim。Scarcelyhadthewordspassedhislips，whenHardysprangup，andbegandressinghimselfwithoutsayingonesyllable。
ForGod’ssake，whatareyougoingtodo？saidLoveit，ingreatanxiety。They’llneverforgiveme！don’tbetrayme！they’llneverforgive！pray，speaktome！onlysayyouwon’tbetrayus。
Iwillnotbetrayyou，trusttome，saidHardy：andhelefttheroom，andLoveitstoodinamazement。while，inthemeantime，Hardy，inhopesofovertakingTombeforethefateofthepoordogwasdecided，ranwithallpossiblespeedacrossthemeadow，thendownthelane。HecameupwithTomjustashewasclimbingthebankintotheoldman’sgarden。Hardy，toomuchoutofbreathtospeak，seizedholdofhim，draggedhimdown，detaininghimwithafirmgrasp，whilsthepantedforutterance。
What，MasterHardy，isityou？what’sthematter？whatdoyouwant？
Iwantthepoisonedmeatthatyouhaveinyourpocket。
WhotoldyouthatIhadanysuchthing？saidTom，clappinghishanduponhisguiltypocket。
Giveitmequietly，andI’llletyouoff。
Sir，uponmywordIhaven’t！Ididn’t！Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，
saidTom，trembling，thoughhewasbyfarthestrongerofthetwo。
Indeed，Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。
Youdo，saidHardy，withgreatindignation：andaviolentstruggleimmediatelycommenced。
Thedog，nowalarmedbythevoices，begantobarkoutrageously。Tomwasterrifiedlesttheoldmanshouldcomeouttoseewhatwasthematter。
hisstrengthforsookhim，andflingingthehandkerchiefandmeatoverthehedge，heranawaywithallhisspeed。Thehandkerchieffellwithinreachofthedog，whoinstantlysnappedatit。luckilyitdidnotcomeuntied。Hardysawapitchforkonadunghillclosebesidehim，and，seizinguponit，stuckitintothehandkerchief。Thedogpulled，tore，growled，grappled，yelled。itwasimpossibletogetthehandkerchieffrombetweenhisteeth。buttheknotwasloosed，themeat，unperceivedbythedog，droppedout，andwhilehedraggedoffthehandkerchiefintriumph，Hardy，withinexpressiblejoy，plungedthepitchforkintothepoisonedmeat，andboreitaway。
Neverdidheroretirewithmoresatisfactionfromafieldofbattle。
Fullofthepleasureofsuccessfulbenevolence，Hardytrippedjoyfullyhome，andvaultedoverthewindowsill，whenthefirstobjecthebeheldwasMr。Power，theusher，standingattheheadofthestairs，withhiscandleinhishand。
Comeup，whoeveryouare，saidMr。WilliamPower，inasternvoice。I
thoughtIshouldfindyououtatlast。Comeup，whoeveryouare！Hardyobeyedwithoutreply——Hardy！exclaimedMr。Power，startingbackwithastonishment。isityou，Mr。Hardy？repeatedhe，holdingthelighttohisface。Why，sir，saidhe，inasneeringtone，I’msureifMr。
Truemanwasherehewouldn’tbelievehisowneyes。butformypartIsawthroughyoulongsince。Ineverlikedsaints，formyshare。Willyoupleasetodomethefavour，sir，ifitisnottoomuchtrouble，toemptyyourpockets。Hardyobeyedinsilence。Heyday！meat！rawmeat！whatnext？
That’sall，saidHardy，emptyinghispocketsinsideout。
ThisisALL，saidMr。Power，takingupthemeat。
Pray，sir，saidHardy，eagerly，letthatmeatbeburned，itispoisoned。
Poisoned！criedMr。WilliamPower，lettingitdropoutofhisfingers。
youwretch！lookingathimwithamenacingair：whatisallthis？
Speak。Hardywassilent。Whydon’tyouspeak？criedhe，shakinghimbytheshoulderimpatiently。StillHardywassilent。Downuponyourkneesthisminuteandconfessall：tellmewhereyou’vebeen，whatyou’vebeendoing，andwhoareyouraccomplices，forIknowthereisagangofyou。so，addedhe，pressingheavilyuponHardy’sshoulder，downuponyourkneesthisminute，andconfessthewhole，that’syouronlywaynowtogetoffyourself。IfyouhopeforMYpardon，Icantellyouit’snottobehadwithoutaskingfor。
Sir，saidHardy，inafirmbutrespectfulvoice，Ihavenopardontoask，Ihavenothingtoconfess。Iaminnocent。butifIwerenot，Iwouldnevertrytogetoffmyselfbybetrayingmycompanions。
Verywell，sir！verywell！veryfine！sticktoit，sticktoit，Iadviseyou，andweshallsee。Andhowwillyoulookto-morrow，Mr。Innocent，whenmyuncle，thedoctor，comeshome？
AsIdonow，sir，saidHardy，unmoved。
HiscomposurethrewMr。Powerintoaragetoogreatforutterance。
Sir，continuedHardy，eversinceIhavebeenatschool，Inevertoldalie，andtherefore，sir，Ihopeyouwillbelievemenow。Uponmywordandhonour，sir，Ihavedonenothingwrong。
Nothingwrong？Betterandbetter！what，whenIcaughtyougoingoutatnight？
THAT，tobesure，waswrong，saidHardy，recollectinghimself。butexceptthat——
Exceptthat，sir！Iwillexceptnothing。Comealongwithme，younggentleman，yourtimeforpardonispast。
Sayingthesewords，hepulledHardyalonganarrowpassagetoasmallcloset，setapartfordesperateoffenders，andusuallyknownbythenameoftheBLACKHOLE。There，sir，takeupyourlodgingthereforto-
night，saidhe，pushinghimin。tomorrowI’llknowmore，orI’llknowwhy，addedhe，doublelockingthedoor，withatremendousnoise，uponhisprisoner，andlockingalsothedoorattheendofthepassage，sothatnoonecouldhaveaccesstohim。SonowIthinkIhaveyousafe！
saidMr。WilliamPowertohimself，stalkingoffwithstepswhichmadethewholegalleryresound，andwhichmademanyaguiltyhearttremble。
TheconversationwhichhadpassedbetweenHardyandMr。Powerattheheadofthestairshadbeenanxiouslylistenedto。butonlyawordortwohereandtherehadbeendistinctlyoverheard。
Thelockingoftheblackholedoorwasaterriblesound——someknewnotwhatitportended，andothersknewTOOWELL。Allassembledinthemorningwithfacesofanxiety。TarltonandLoveit’swerethemostagitated：Tarltonforhimself，Loveitforhisfriend，forhimself，foreverybody。Everyoneoftheparty，andTarltonattheirhead，surroundedhimwithreproaches。andconsideredhimastheauthoroftheevilswhichhungoverthem。Howcouldyoudoso？andwhydidyousayanythingtoHardyaboutit？whenyouhadpromised，too！Oh！whatshallwealldo？
whatascrapeyouhavebroughtusinto，Loveit，it’sallyourfault！
ALLMYFAULT！repeatedpoorLoveit，withasigh。well，thatishard。
Goodness！there’sthebell，exclaimedanumberofvoicesatonce。Nowforit！Theyallstoodinahalfcircleformorningprayers。Theylistened——Hereheiscoming！No——Yes——Hereheis！AndMr。WilliamPower，withagloomybrow，appearedandwalkeduptohisplaceattheheadoftheroom。Theykneltdowntoprayers，andthemomenttheyrose，Mr。WilliamPower，layinghishanduponthetable，cried，Standstill，gentlemen，ifyouplease。Everybodystoodstockstill。hewalkedoutofthecircle。theyguessedthathewasgoneforHardy，andthewholeroomwasincommotion。Eachwitheagernessaskedeachwhatnonecouldanswer，HASHETOLD？WHAThashetold？Whohashetoldof？Ihopehehasnottoldofme，criedthey。
I’llanswerforithehastoldofallofus，saidTarlton。
AndI’llanswerforithehastoldofnoneofus，answeredLoveit，withasigh。
Youdon’tthinkhe’ssuchafool，whenhecangethimselfoff，saidTarlton。
Atthisinstanttheprisonerwasledin，andashepassedthroughthecircle，everyeyewasfixeduponhim。Hiseyefelluponnoone，notevenuponLoveit，whopulledhimbythecoatashepassed——everyonefeltalmostafraidtobreathe。
Well，sir，saidMr。Power，sittingdowninMr。Trueman’selbow-chair，andplacingtheprisoneroppositetohim。well，sir，whathaveyoutosaytomethismorning？
Nothing，sir，answeredHardy，inadecided，yetmodestmanner。nothingbutwhatIsaidlastnight。
Nothingmore？
Nothingmore，sir。
ButIhavesomethingmoretosaytoyou，sir，then。andagreatdealmore，Ipromiseyou，beforeIhavedonewithyou。andthen，seizinghiminafury，hewasjustgoingtogivehimasevereflogging，whentheschoolroomdooropened，andMr。Truemanappeared，followedbyanoldmanwhomLoveitimmediatelyknew。Heleaneduponhisstickashewalked，andinhisotherhandcarriedabasketofapples。Whentheycamewithinthecircle，Mr。Truemanstoppedshort。Hardy！exclaimedhe，withavoiceofunfeignedsurprise，whilstMr。WilliamPowerstoodwithhishandsuspended——Ay，Hardy，sir，repeatedhe。Itoldhimyou’dnotbelieveyourowneyes。
Mr。Truemanadvancedwithaslowstep。Now，sir，givemeleave，saidtheusher，eagerlydrawinghimaside，andwhispering。
So，sir，saidMr。T。whenthewhisperwasdone，addressinghimselftoHardy，withavoiceandmannerwhich，hadhebeenguilty，musthavepiercedhimtotheheart，IfindIhavebeendeceivedinyou。itisbutthreehoursagothatItoldyouruncleIneverhadaboyinmyschoolinwhomIplacedsomuchconfidence。but，afterallthisshowofhonourandintegrity，themomentmybackisturned，youarethefirsttosetanexampleofdisobedienceofmyorders。WhydoItalkofdisobeyingmycommands——youareathief！
I，sir？exclaimedHardy，nolongerabletorepresshisfeelings。
You，sir，——youandsomeothers，saidMr。Trueman，lookingroundtheroomwithapenetratingglance——youandsomeothers。
Ay，sir，interruptedMr。WilliamPower，getthatoutofhimifyoucan——askhim。
Iwillaskhimnothing。Ishallneitherputhistruthnorhishonourtothetrial。truthandhonourarenottobeexpectedamongstthieves。
Iamnotathief！Ihaveneverhadanythingtodowiththieves，criedHardy，indignantly。
Haveyounotrobbedthisoldman？Don’tyouknowthetasteoftheseapples？saidMr。Trueman，takingoneoutofthebasket。
No，sir。Idonot。Inevertouchedoneofthatoldman’sapples。
Nevertouchedoneofthem！Isupposethisissomevileequivocation。
youhavedoneworse，youhavehadthebarbarity，thebaseness，toattempttopoisonhisdog。thepoisonedmeatwasfoundinyourpocketlastnight。
Thepoisonedmeatwasfoundinmypocket，sir。butIneverintendedtopoisonthedog——Isavedhislife。
Lordblesshim！saidtheoldman。
Nonsense——cunning！saidMr。Power。Ihopeyouwon’tlethimimposeuponyou，sir。
No，hecannotimposeuponme。Ihaveaproofheislittlepreparedfor，
saidMr。Trueman，producingthebluehandkerchiefinwhichthemeathadbeenwrapped。
Tarltonturnedpale。Hardy’scountenanceneverchanged。
Don’tyouknowthishandkerchief，sir？
Ido，sir。
Isitnotyours？
No，sir。
Don’tyouknowwhoseitis？criedMr。Power。Hardywassilent。
Now，gentlemen，saidMr。Trueman，Iamnotfondofpunishingyou。butwhenIdoit，youknow，itisalwaysinearnest。Iwillbeginwiththeeldestofyou。IwillbeginwithHardy，andflogyouwithmyownhandstillthishandkerchiefisowned。
I’msureit’snotmine，andI’msureit’snoneofmine，burstfromeverymouth，whilsttheylookedateachotherindismay。fornonebutHardy，LoveitandTarltonknewthesecret。Mycane，saidMr。Trueman，andMr。Powerhandedhimthecane。Loveitgroanedfromthebottomofhisheart。Tarltonleanedbackagainstthewallwithablackcountenance。
Hardylookedwithasteadyeyeatthecane。
Butfirst，saidMr。Trueman，layingdownthecane，letussee。
Perhapswemayfindouttheownerofthishandkerchiefanotherway，
examiningthecorners。Itwastornalmosttopieces。butluckilythecornerthatwasmarkedremained。
J。T。！criedMr。Trueman。EveryeyeturnedupontheguiltyTarlton，who，nowaspaleasashesandtremblingineverylimb，sankdownuponhisknees，andinawhiningvoicebeggedformercy。Uponmywordandhonour，sir，I’lltellyouall。I’dneverhavethoughtofstealingtheapplesifLoveithadnotfirsttoldmeofthem。anditwasTomwhofirstputthepoisoningthedogintomyhead。Itwashethatcarriedthemeat，WASN’TIT？saidhe，appealingtoHardy，whosewordheknewmustbebelieved。Oh，dearsir！continuedheasMr。Truemanbegantomovetowardshim，doletmeoff。praydoletmeoffthistime！I’mnottheonlyone，indeed，sir！Ihopeyouwon’tmakemeanexamplefortherest。
It’sveryhardI’mtobefloggedmorethanthey！
I’mnotgoingtoflogyou。
Thankyou，sir，saidTarlton，gettingupandwipinghiseyes。
Youneednotthankme，saidMr。Trueman。Takeyourhandkerchief——gooutofthisroom——outofthishouse。letmeneverseeyoumore。
IfIhadanyhopesofhim，saidMr。Trueman，asheshutthedoorafterhim——ifIhadanyhopesofhim，Iwouldhavepunishedhim——butIhavenone。Punishmentismeantonlytomakepeoplebetter。andthosewhohaveanyhopesofthemselveswillknowhowtosubmittoit。
AtthesewordsLoveitfirst，andimmediatelyalltherestoftheguiltyparty，steppedoutoftheranks，confessedtheirfault，anddeclaredthemselvesreadytobearanypunishmenttheirmasterthoughtproper。
Oh，theyhavebeenpunishedenough，saidtheoldman。forgivethem，sir。
Hardylookedasifhewishedtospeak。Notbecauseyouaskit，saidMr。Truemantotheguiltypenitents，thoughIshouldbegladtoobligeyou——itwouldn’tbejust。butthere，pointingtoHardy，thereisonewhohasmeritedareward。thehighestIcangivehimisthatofpardoninghiscompanions。
Hardybowedandhisfaceglowedwithpleasure，whilsteverybodypresentsympathizedinhisfeelings。
Iamsure，thoughtLoveit，thisisalessonIshallneverforget。
Gentlemen，saidtheoldman，withafalteringvoice，itwasn’tforthesakeofmyapplesthatIspoke。andyou，sir，saidhetoHardy，Ithankyouforsavingmydog。Ifyouplease，I’llplantonthatmount，oppositethewindow，ayoungapple-tree，frommyoldone。Iwillwaterit，andtakecareofitwithmyownhandsforyoursake，aslongasIamable。
AndmayGodblessyou！layinghistremblinghandonHardy’shead。mayGodblessyou——I’msureGodWILLblessallsuchboysasyouare。
THEBASKET-WOMAN。
Touteleuretudeetaitdesecomplaireetdes’entr’aider。*
PAULETVIRGINIE。
Atthefootofasteep，slippery，whitehill，nearDunstable，inBedfordshire，calledChalkHill，thereisahut，orratherahovel，whichtravellerscouldscarcelysupposecouldbeinhabited，iftheydidnotseethesmokerisingfromitspeakedroof。Anoldwomanlivesinthishovel，**andwithheralittleboyandgirl，thechildrenofabeggarwhodied，andlefttheseorphansperishingwithhunger。Theythoughtthemselvesveryhappywhenthegoodoldwomanfirsttookthemintoherhutandbidthemwarmthemselvesathersmallfire，andgavethemacrustofmouldybreadtoeat。Shehadnotmuchtogive，butwhatshehadshegavewithgood-will。Shewasverykindtothesepoorchildren，andworkedhardatherspinning-wheelandatherknitting，tosupportherselfandthem。Sheearnedmoneyalsoinanotherway。SheusedtofollowallthecarriagesastheywentupChalkHill，andwhenthehorsesstoppedtotakebreathortorestthemselves，sheputstonesbehindthecarriagewheelstopreventthemfromrollingbackwardsdownthesteep，slipperyhill。
*Theirwholestudywashowtopleaseandtohelponeanother。
**Thiswasaboutthecloseofthe18thcentury。
Thelittleboyandgirllovedtostandbesidethegoodnaturedoldwoman’sspinning-wheelwhenshewasspinning，andtotalktoher。Atthesetimesshetaughtthemsomething，which，shesaid，shehopedtheywouldrememberalltheirlives。Sheexplainedtothemwhatismeantbytellingthetruth，andwhatitistobehonest。Shetaughtthemtodislikeidleness，andtowishthattheycouldbeuseful。
Oneevening，astheywerestandingbesideher，thelittleboysaidtoher，Grandmother，forthatwasthenamebywhichshelikedthatthesechildrenshouldcallher——grandmother，howoftenyouareforcedtogetupfromyourspinning-wheel，andtofollowthechaisesandcoachesupthatsteephill，toputstonesunderneaththewheels，tohinderthemfromrollingback！Thepeoplewhoareinthecarriagesgiveyouahalfpennyorapennyfordoingthis，don’tthey？
Yes，child。
Butitisveryhardworkforyoutogoupanddownthathill。Youoftensaythatyouaretired，andthenyouknowthatyoucannotspinallthattime。Nowifwemightgoupthehill，andputthestonesbehindthewheels，youcouldsitstillatyourwork，andwouldnotthepeoplegiveusthehalfpence？andcouldnotwebringthemalltoyou？Do，pray，deargrandmother，tryusforoneday——to-morrow，willyou？
Yes，saidtheoldwoman。Iwilltrywhatyoucando。butImustgoupthehillalongwithyouforthefirsttwoorthreetimes，forfearyoushouldgetyourselveshurt。
So，thenextday，thelittleboyandgirlwentwiththeirgrandmother，astheyusedtocallher，upthesteephill。andsheshowedtheboyhowtopreventthewheelsfromrollingback，byputtingstonesbehindthem。andshesaid，Thisiscalledscotchingthewheels。andshetookofftheboy’shatandgaveittothelittlegirl，toholduptothecarriage-
windows，readyforthehalfpence。
Whenshethoughtthatthechildrenknewhowtomanagebythemselves，sheleftthem，andreturnedtoherspinning-wheel。Agreatmanycarriageshappenedtogobythisday，andthelittlegirlreceivedagreatmanyhalfpence。Shecarriedthemallinherbrother’shattohergrandmotherintheevening。andtheoldwomansmiled，andthankedthechildren。Shesaidthattheyhadbeenusefultoher，andthatherspinninghadgoneonfinely，becauseshehadbeenabletositstillatherwheelallday。
But，Paulmyboy，saidshe，whatisthematterwithyourhand？
Onlyapinch——onlyonepinchthatIgot，asIwasputtingastonebehindawheelofachaise。Itdoesnothurtmemuch，grandmother。andI’vethoughtofagoodthingforto-morrow。Ishallneverbehurtagain，ifyouwillonlybesogoodastogivemetheoldhandleofthebrokencrutch，grandmother，andtheblockofwoodthatliesinthechimney-
corner，andthatisofnouse。I’llmakeitofsomeuse，ifImayhaveit。
Takeitthen，dear，saidtheoldwoman。andyou’llfindthehandleofthebrokencrutchundermybed。
Paulwenttoworkimmediately，andfastenedoneendofthepoleintotheblockofwood，soastomakesomethinglikeadry-rubbingbrush。Look，grandmamma，lookatmySCOTCHER。IcallthisthingmySCOTCHER，saidPaul，becauseIshallalwaysscotchthewheelswithit。Ishallneverpinchmyfingersagain。myhands，yousee，willbesafeattheendofthislongstick。and，sisterAnne，youneednotbeatthetroubleofcarryinganymorestonesaftermeupthehill。weshallneverwantstonesanymore。Myscotcherwilldowithoutanythingelse，Ihope。Iwishitwasmorning，andthatacarriagewouldcome，thatImightrunupthehill，andtrymyscotcher。
AndIwishthatasmanychaisesmaygobyto-morrowastheredidto-day，andthatwemaybringyouasmanyhalfpence，grandmother，saidthelittlegirl。
SodoI，mydearAnne，saidtheoldwoman。forImeanthatyouandyourbrothershallhaveallthemoneythatyougetto-morrow。Youmaybuysomegingerbreadforyourselves，orsomeofthoseripeplumsthatyousawatthefruit-stalltheotherday，whichisjustgoingintoDunstable。
ItoldyouthenthatIcouldnotaffordtobuysuchthingsforyou。butnowthatyoucanearnhalfpenceforyourselves，children，itisfairshouldtastearipeplumandbitofgingerbreadforonceandawayinyourlives。
We’llbringsomeofthegingerbreadhometoher，shan’twe，brother？
whisperedlittleAnne。Themorningcame。butnocarriageswereheard，thoughPaulandhissisterhadrisenatfiveo’clock，thattheymightbesuretobereadyforearlytravellers。Paulkepthisscotcherpoiseduponhisshoulder，andwatchedeagerlyathisstationatthebottomofthehill。Hedidnotwaitlongbeforeacarriagecame。Hefolloweditupthehill。andtheinstantthepostillioncalledtohim，andbidhimstopthewheels，heputhisscotcherbehindthem，andfoundthatitansweredthepurposeperfectlywell。
Manycarriageswentbythisday，andPaulandAnnereceivedagreatmanyhalfpencefromthetravellers。
Whenitgrewduskintheevening，Annesaidtoherbrother——Idon’tthinkanymorecarriageswillcomebyto-day。Letuscountthehalfpence，andcarrythemhomenowtograndmother。
No，notyet，answeredPaul，letthemalone——letthemliestillintheholewhereIhaveputthem。Idaresaymorecarriageswillcomebybeforeitisquitedark，andthenweshallhavemorehalfpence。
Paulhadtakenthehalfpenceoutofhishat，andhehadputthemintoaholeinthehighbankbytheroadside。andAnnesaidshewouldnotmeddlewiththem，andthatshewouldwaittillherbrotherlikedtocountthem。
andPaulsaid——Ifyouwillstayandwatchhere，Iwillgoandgathersomeblackberriesforyouinthehedgeinyonderfield。Standyouhereabouts，half-wayupthehill，andthemomentyouseeanycarriagecomingalongtheroad，runasfastasyoucanandcallme。
Annewaitedalongtime，orwhatshethoughtalongtime。andshesawnocarriage，andshetrailedherbrother’sscotcherupanddowntillshewastired。Thenshestoodstill，andlookedagain，andshesawnocarriage。
soshewentsorrowfullyintothefield，andtothehedgewhereherbrotherwasgatheringblackberries，andshesaid，Paul，I’msadlytired，SADLYTIRED！saidshe，andmyeyesarequitestrainedwithlookingforchaises。nomorechaiseswillcometo-night。andyourscotcherislyingthere，ofnouse，upontheground。HavenotIwaitedlongenoughforto-
day，Paul？
Oh，no，saidPaul。herearesomeblackberriesforyou。youhadbetterwaitalittlebitlonger。Perhapsacarriagemightgobywhilstyouarestandingheretalkingtome。
Anne，whowasofaveryobligingtemper，andwholikedtodowhatshewasaskedtodo，wentbacktotheplacewherethescotcherlay。andscarcelyhadshereachedthespot，whensheheardthenoiseofacarriage。Sherantocallherbrother，andtotheirgreatjoy，theynowsawfourchaisescomingtowardsthem。Paul，assoonastheywentupthehill，followedwithhisscotcher。firsthescotchedthewheelsofonecarriage，thenofanother。andAnnewassomuchdelightedwithobservinghowwellthescotcherstoppedthewheels，andhowmuchbetteritwasthanstones，thatsheforgottogoandholdherbrother’shattothetravellersforhalfpence，tillshewasrousedbythevoiceofalittlerosygirl，whowaslookingoutofthewindowofoneofthechaises。Comeclosetothechaise-door，saidthelittlegirl。herearesomehalfpenceforyou。
Anneheldthehat。andsheafterwardswentontotheothercarriages。
Moneywasthrowntoherfromeachofthem。andwhentheyhadallgottensafelytothetopofthehill，sheandherbrothersatdownuponalargestonebytheroadside，tocounttheirtreasure。Firsttheybeganbycountingwhatwasinthehat——One，two，three，fourhalfpence。
But，oh，brother，lookatthis！exclaimedAnne。thisisnotthesameastheotherhalfpence。
No，indeed，itisnot，criedPaul，itisnohalfpenny。itisaguinea，abrightgoldenguinea！
Isit？saidAnne，whohadneverseenaguineainherlifebefore，andwhodidnotknowitsvalue。andwillitdoaswellasahalfpennytobuygingerbread？I’llruntothefruit-stall，andaskthewoman。shallI？
No，no，saidPaul，youneednotaskanywoman，oranybodybutme。I
cantellyouallaboutit，aswellasanybodyinthewholeworld。
Thewholeworld！Oh，Paul，youforgot。Notsowellasmygrandmother。
Why，notsowellasmygrandmother，perhaps，but，Anne，Icantellyouthatyoumustnottalkyourself，Anne，butyoumustlistentomequietly，orelseyouwon’tunderstandwhatIamgoingtotellyou，forIcanassureyouthatIdon’tthinkIquiteunderstooditmyself，Anne，thefirsttimemygrandmothertoldittome，thoughIstoodstockstilllisteningmybest。
Preparedbythisspeechtohearsomethingverydifficulttobeunderstood，Annelookedverygrave，andherbrotherexplainedtoher，that，withaguinea，shemightbuytwohundredandfifty-twotimesasmanyplumsasshecouldgetforapenny。
Why，Paul，youknowthefruit-womansaidshewouldgiveusadozenplumsforapenny。Now，forthislittleguinea，wouldshegiveustwohundredandfifty-twodozen？
Ifshehassomany，andifweliketohavesomany，tobesureshewill，saidPaul，butIthinkweshouldnotliketohavetwohundredandfifty-twodozenofplums。wecouldnoteatsuchanumber。
Butwecouldgivesomeofthemtomygrandmother，saidAnne。
Butstilltherewouldbetoomanyforher，andforus，too，saidPaul，andwhenwehadeatentheplums，therewouldbeanendtoallthepleasure。ButnowI’lltellyouwhatIamthinkingof，Anne，thatwemightbuysomethingformygrandmother，thatwouldbeveryusefultoherindeed，withtheguinea——somethingthatwouldlastagreatwhile。
What，brother？Whatsortofthing？
Somethingthatshesaidshewantedverymuchlastwinter，whenshewassoillwiththerheumatism——somethingthatshesaidyesterday，whenyouweremakingherbed，shewishedshemightbeabletobuybeforenextwinter。
Iknow，Iknowwhatyoumean！saidAnne——ablanket。Oh，yes，Paul，thatwillbemuchbetterthanplums。doletusbuyablanketforher。howgladshewillbetoseeit！Iwillmakeherbedwiththenewblanket，andthenbringhertoseeit。But，Paul，howshallwebuyablanket？
Whereareblanketstobegot？
Leavethattome，I’llmanagethat。Iknowwhereblanketscanbegot。
IsawonehangingoutofashopthedayIwentlasttoDunstable。
YouhaveseenagreatmanythingsatDunstable，brother。
Yes，agreatmany。butIneversawanythingthereoranywhereelse，thatIwishedforhalfsomuchasIdidfortheblanketformygrandmother。
Doyourememberhowsheusedtoshiverwiththecoldlastwinter？I’llbuytheblanketto-morrow。I’mgoingtoDunstablewithherspinning。
Andyou’llbringtheblankettome，andIshallmakethebedveryneatly，thatwillbeallright——allhappy！saidAnne，clappingherhands。
Butstay！Hush！don’tclapyourhandsso，Anne。itwillnotbeallhappy，I’mafraid，saidPaul，andhiscountenancechanged，andhelookedverygrave。Itwillnotbeallright，I’mafraid，forthereisonethingwehaveneitherofusthoughtof，butthatweoughttothinkabout。
Wecannotbuytheblanket，I’mafraid。
Why，Paul，why？
BecauseIdon’tthinkthisguineaishonestlyours。
Nay，brother，butI’msureitishonestlyours。Itwasgiventous，andgrandmothersaidallthatwasgiventousto-daywastobeourown。
Butwhogaveittoyou，Anne？
Someofthepeopleinthosechaises，Paul。Idon’tknowwhichofthem，butIdaresayitwasthelittlerosygirl。
No，saidPaul，forwhenshecalledyoutothechaisedoor，shesaid，’Here’ssomehalfpenceforyou。’Now，ifshegaveyoutheguinea，shemusthavegivenittoyoubymistake。
Well，butperhapssomeofthepeopleintheotherchaisesgaveittome，anddidnotgiveittomebymistake，Paul。Therewasagentlemanreadinginoneofthechaisesandalady，wholookedverygood-naturedlyatme，andthenthegentlemanputdownhisbookandputhisheadoutofthewindow，andlookedatyourscotcher，brother，andheaskedmeifthatwasyourownmaking。andwhenIsaidyes，andthatIwasyoursisterhesmiledatme，andputhishandintohiswaistcoatpocket，andthrewahandfulofhalfpenceintothehat，andIdaresayhegaveustheguineaalongwiththembecausehelikedyourscotchersomuch。
Why，saidPaul，thatmightbe，tobesure，butIwishIwasquitecertainofit。
Then，aswearenotquitecertain，hadnotwebestgoandaskmygrandmotherwhatshethinksaboutit？
Paulthoughtthiswasexcellentadvice。andhewasnotasillyboy，whodidnotliketofollowgoodadvice。Hewentwithhissisterdirectlytohisgrandmother，showedhertheguinea，andtoldherhowtheycamebyit。
Mydear，honestchildren，saidshe，Iamverygladyoutoldmeallthis。Iamverygladthatyoudidnotbuyeithertheplumsortheblanketwiththisguinea。I’msureitisnothonestlyours。Thosewhothrewityougaveityoubymistake，Iwarrant。andwhatIwouldhaveyoudois，togotoDunstable，andtryifyoucan，ateitheroftheinnsfindoutthepersonwhogaveittoyou。ItisnowsolateintheeveningthatperhapsthetravellerswillsleepatDunstable，insteadofgoingonthenextstage。anditislikelythatwhosoevergaveyouaguineainsteadofahalfpennyhasfoundouttheirmistakebythistime。Allyoucandoistogoandinquireforthegentlemanwhowasreadinginthechaise。
Oh！interruptedPaul，Iknowagoodwayoffindinghimout。I
rememberitwasadarkgreenchaisewithredwheels：andIrememberI
readtheinnkeeper’snameuponthechaise，’JohnNelson。’Iammuchobligedtoyouforteachingmetoread，grandmother。Youtoldmeyesterday，grandmother，thatthenameswrittenuponchaisesaretheinnkeeperstowhomtheybelong。Ireadthenameoftheinnkeeperuponthatchaise。ItwasJohnNelson。SoAnneandIwillgotoboththeinnsinDunstable，andtrytofindoutthischaise——JohnNelson’s。Come，Anne。letussetoutbeforeitgetsquitedark。
Anneandherbrotherpassedwithgreatcouragethetemptingstallthatwascoveredwithgingerbreadandripeplums，andpursuedtheirwaysteadilythroughthestreetsofDunstable。butPaul，whenhecametotheshopwherehehadseentheblanket，stoppedforamoment，andsaid，Itisagreatpity，Anne，thattheguineaisnotours。However，wearedoingwhatishonest，andthatisacomfort。Here，wemustgothroughthisgateway，intotheinn-yard。wearecometothe’DunCow。’
Cow！saidAnne，Iseenocow。
Lookup，andyou’llseethecowoveryourhead，saidPaul——thesign——
thepicture。Come，nevermindlookingatitnow。IwanttofindoutthegreenchaisethathasJohnNelson’snameuponit。
Paulpushedforward，throughacrowdedpassage，tillhegotintotheinn-
yard。Therewasagreatnoiseandbustle。Thehostlerswerecarryinginluggage。Thepostillionswererubbingdownthehorses，orrollingthechaisesintothecoach-house。
Whatnow！Whatbusinesshaveyouhere，pray？saidawaiter，whoalmostranoverPaul，ashewascrossingtheyardinagreathurrytogetsomeemptybottlesfromthebottle-rack。You’venobusinesshere，crowdinguptheyard。Walkoff，younggentleman，ifyouplease。
Praygivemeleave，sir，saidPaul，tostayafewminutes，tolookamongstthesechaisesforonedarkgreenchaisewithredwheels，thathasMr。JohnNelson’snamewrittenuponit。
What’sthathesaysaboutadarkgreenchaise？saidoneofthepostillions。
Whatshouldsuchaoneasheisknowaboutchaises？interruptedthehastywaiter，andhevasgoingtoturnPauloutoftheyard。butthehostlercaughtholdofhisarmandsaid，Maybethechildhassomebusinesshere。let’sknowwhathehastosayforhimself。
Thewaiterwasatthisinstantluckilyobligedtoleavethemtoattendthebell。andPaultoldhisbusinesstothehostler，whoassoonashesawtheguineaandheardthestory，shookPaulbythehand，andsaid，Standsteady，myhonestlad。I’llfindthechaiseforyou，ifitistobefoundhere。butJohnNelson’schaisesalmostalwaysdrivetothe’BlackBull。’
Aftersomedifficulty，thegreenchaise，withJohnNelson’snameuponit，andthepostillionwhodrovethatchaise，werefound。andthepostilliontoldPaulthathewasjustgoingintotheparlourtothegentlemanhehaddriven，tobepaid，andthathewouldcarrytheguineawithhim。
No，saidPaul，weshouldliketogiveitbackourselves。
Yes，saidthehostler。thattheyhavearighttodo。
Thepostillionmadenoreply，butlookedvexed，andwenttowardsthehouse，desiringthechildrenwouldwaitinthepassagetillhisreturn。
Inthepassagetherewasstandingadecent，clean，goodnaturedlookingwoman，withtwohugestrawbasketsoneachsideofher。Oneofthebasketsstoodalittleinthewayoftheentrance。Amanwhowaspushinghiswayin，andcarriedinhishandastringofdeadlarkshungtoapole，impatientatbeingstopped，kickeddownthestrawbasket，andallitscontentswerethrownout。Brightstrawhats，andboxes，andslippers，wereallthrownindisorderuponthedirtyground。
Oh，theywillbetrampledupon！Theywillbeallspoiled！exclaimedthewomantowhomtheybelonged。
We’llhelpyoutopickthemupifyouwillletus，criedPaulandAnne。
andtheyimmediatelyrantoherassistance。
Whenthethingswereallsafeinthebasketagain，thechildrenexpressedadesiretoknowhowsuchbeautifulthingscouldbemadeofstraw。butthewomanhadnottimetoanswerbeforethepostillioncameoutoftheparlour，andwithhimagentleman’sservant，whocametoPaul，andclappinghimupontheback，said，So，mylittlechap，Igaveyouaguineaforahalfpenny，Ihear。andIunderstandyou’vebroughtitbackagain。that’sright，givemeholdofit。
No，brother，saidAnne，thisisnotthegentlemanthatwasreading。
Pooh，child，IcameinMr。Nelson’sgreenchaise。Here’sthepostillioncantellyouso。Iandmymastercameinthatchaise。Iandmymasterthatwasreading，asyousay，anditwashethatthrewthemoneyouttoyou。Heisgoingtobed。heistiredandcan’tseeyouhimself。Hedesiresthatyou’llgivemetheguinea。
Hepushedthemtowardsthedoor。butthebasket-womanwhisperedtothemastheywentout，WaitinthestreettillIcometoyou。
Pray，Mrs。Landlady，criedthisgentleman’sservant，addressinghimselftothelandlady，whojustthencameoutofaroomwheresomecompanywereatsupper，Pray，Mrs。Landlady，pleasetoletmehaveroastedlarksformysupper。YouarefamousforlarksatDunstable。andImakeitaruletotastethebestofeverythingwhereverIgo。and，waiter，letmehaveabottleofclaret。Doyouhear？
Larksandclaretforhissupper，saidthebasket-womantoherself，asshelookedathimfromheadtofoot。Thepostillionwasstillwaiting，asiftospeaktohim。andsheobservedthemafterwardswhisperingandlaughingtogether。NOBADHIT，wasasentencewhichtheservantpronouncedseveraltimes。
Nowitoccurredtothebasket-womanthatthismanhadcheatedthechildrenoutoftheguineatopayforthelarksandclaret。andshethoughtthatperhapsshecoulddiscoverthetruth。Shewaitedquietlyinthepassage。
Waiter！Joe！Joe！criedthelandlady，whydon’tyoucarryinthesweetmeat-puffsandthetartsheretothecompanyinthebestparlour？
Coming，ma’am，answeredthewaiter。andwithalargedishoftartsandpuffs，thewaitercamefromthebar。thelandladythrewopenthedoorofthebestparlour，tolethimin。andthebasket-womanhadnowafullviewofalargecheerfulcompany，andamongstthemseveralchildren，sittingroundasupper-table。
Ay，whisperedthelandlady，asthedoorclosedafterthewaiterandthetarts，therearecustomersenough，Iwarrant，foryouinthatroom，ifyouhadbutthelucktobecalledin。Pray，whatwouldyouhavetheconscience，Iwondernow，tochargemefortheseherehalf-dozenlittlematstoputundermydishes？
Atrifle，ma’am，saidthebasket-woman。Sheletthelandladyhavethematscheap，andthelandladythendeclaredshewouldstepinandseeifthecompanyinthebestparlourhaddonesupper。Whentheycometotheirwine，addedshe，I’llspeakagoodwordforyou，andgetyoucalledinaforethechildrenaresenttobed。
Thelandlady，aftertheusualspeechof，Ihopethesupperandeverythingistoyourliking，ladiesandgentlemen，beganwith，IfanyoftheyounggentlemenorladieswouldhaveaCUR’OSITYtoseeanyofourfamousDunstablestraw-work，there’sadecentbodywithoutwould，I
daresay，beproudtoshowthemherpincushion-boxes，andherbasketsandslippers，andherotherCUR’OSITIES。
Theeyesofthechildrenallturnedtowardstheirmother。theirmothersmiled，andimmediatelytheirfathercalledinthebasket-woman，anddesiredhertoproduceherCURIOSITIES。Thechildrengatheredroundherlargepannierasitopened，buttheydidnottouchanyofherthings。
Ah，papa！criedalittlerosygirl，hereareapairofstrawslippersthatwouldjustfityou，Ithink。butwouldnotstrawshoeswearoutverysoon？andwouldnottheyletinthewet？
Yes，mydear，saidherfather，buttheseslippersaremeant——
Forpowdering-slippers，miss，interruptedthebasket-woman。
Towearwhenpeoplearepowderingtheirhair，continuedthegentleman，thattheymaynotspoiltheirothershoes。
Andwillyoubuythem，papa？
No，Icannotindulgemyself，saidherfather，inbuyingthemnow。I
mustmakeamends，saidhe，laughing，formycarelessness。andasI
threwawayaguineato-day，Imustendeavourtosavesixpenceatleast？
Ah，theguineathatyouthrewbymistakeintothelittlegirl’shataswewerecomingupChalkHill。Mamma，Iwonderthatthelittlegirldidnottakenoticeofitsbeingaguinea，andthatshedidnotrunafterthechaisetogiveitbackagain。Ishouldthink，ifshehadbeenanhonestgirl，shewouldhavereturnedit。
Miss！——ma’am！——sir！saidthebasket-woman，ifitwouldnotbeimpertinent，mayIspeakaword？Alittleboyandgirlhavejustbeenhereinquiringforagentlemanwhogavethemaguineainsteadofahalfpennybymistake。andnotfiveminutesagoIsawtheboygivetheguineatoagentleman’sservant，whoistherewithout，andwhosaidhismasterdesireditshouldbereturnedtohim。
Theremustbesomemistake，orsometrickinthis，saidthegentleman。
Arethechildrengone？Imustseethem——sendafterthem。
I’llgoforthemmyself，saidthegoodnaturedbasket-woman。Ibidthemwaitinthestreetyonder，formymindmisgavemethatthemanwhospokesoshorttothemwasacheat，withhislarksandhisclaret。
PaulandAnnewerespeedilysummoned，andbroughtbackbytheirfriendthebasket-woman。andAnne，themomentshesawthegentleman，knewthathewastheverypersonwhosmileduponher，whoadmiredherbrother’sscotcher，andwhothrewahandfulofhalfpenceintothehat。butshecouldnotbecertain，shesaid，thatshereceivedtheguineafromhim。
sheonlythoughtitmostlikelythatshedid。
ButIcanbecertainwhethertheguineayoureturnedbemineorno，
saidthegentleman。Imarkedtheguinea。itwasalightone。theonlyguineaIhad，whichIputintomywaistcoatpocketthismorning。Herangthebell，anddesiredthewaitertoletthegentlemanwhowasintheroomoppositetohimknowthathewishedtoseehim。
Thegentlemaninthewhiteparlour，sir，doyoumean？
Imeanthemasteroftheservantwhoreceivedaguineafromthischild。
HeisaMr。Pembroke，sir，saidthewaiter。
Mr。Pembrokecame。andassoonasheheardwhathadhappened，hedesiredthewaitertoshowhimtotheroomwherehisservantwasatsupper。Thedishonestservant，whowassuppinguponlarksandclaret，knewnothingofwhatwasgoingon。buthisknifeandforkdroppedfromhishand，andheoverturnedabumperofclaretashestartedupfromthetable，ingreatsurpriseandterror，whenhismastercameinwithafaceofindignation，anddemandedTHEGUINEA——theGUINEA，sir！thatyougotfromthischild。
thatguineawhichyousaidIorderedyoutoaskforfromthischild。
Theservant，confoundedandhalfintoxicated，couldonlystammeroutthathehadmoreguineasthanoneabouthim，andthathereallydidnotknowwhichitwas。Hepulledhismoneyout，andspreadituponthetablewithtremblinghands。Themarkedguineaappeared。Hismasterinstantlyturnedhimoutofhisservicewithstrongexpressionsofcontempt。
Andnow，mylittlehonestgirl，saidthegentlemanwhohadadmiredherbrother’sscotcher，turningtoAnne，andnowtellmewhoyouare，andwhatyouandyourbrotherwantorwishformostintheworld。
InthesamemomentAnneandPaulexclaimed，Thethingwewishforthemostintheworldisablanketforourgrandmother。
Sheisnotourgrandmotherinreality，Ibelieve，sir，saidPaul。butsheisjustasgoodtous，andtaughtmetoread，andtaughtAnnetoknit，andtaughtusboththatweshouldbehonest——soshehas。andIwishshehadanewblanketbeforenextwinter，tokeepherfromthecoldandtherheumatism。Shehadtherheumatismsadlylastwinter，sir。andthereisablanketinthisstreetthatwouldbejustthethingforher。
Sheshallhaveit，then。and，continuedthegentleman，Iwilldosomethingmoreforyou。Doyouliketobeemployedortobeidlebest？
Weliketohavesomethingtodoalways，ifwecould，sir，saidPaul。
butweareforcedtobeidlesometimes，becausegrandmotherhasnotalwaysthingsforustodothatweCANdowell。
Shouldyouliketolearnhowtomakesuchbasketsasthese？saidthegentleman，pointingtooneoftheDunstablestraw-baskets。Oh，verymuch！saidPaul。Verymuch！saidAnne。
ThenIshouldliketoteachyouhowtomakethem，saidthebasket-
woman。forI’msureofonething，thatyou’dbehavehonestlytome。
Thegentlemanputaguineaintothegoodnaturedbasket-woman’shand，andtoldherthatheknewshecouldnotaffordtoteachthemhertradefornothing。IshallcomethroughDunstableagaininafewmonths，addedhe。andIhopetoseethatyouandyourscholarsaregoingonwell。IfIfindthattheyare，Iwilldosomethingmoreforyou。
But，saidAnne，wemusttellallthistograndmother，andaskheraboutit。andI’mafraid——thoughI’mveryhappy——thatitisgettingverylate，andthatweshouldnotstayhereanylonger。
Itisafinemoonlightnight，saidthebasket-woman。andisnotfar。
I’llwalkwithyou，andseeyousafehomemyself。
Thegentlemandetainedthemafewminuteslonger，tillamessengerwhomhehaddispatchedtopurchasethemuchwishedforblanketreturned。
Yourgrandmotherwillsleepwelluponthisgoodblanket，Ihope，saidthegentleman，ashegaveitintoPaul’sopenedarms。Ithasbeenobtainedforherbythehonestyofheradoptedchildren。
End