He turned towards the town, still thinking of Mr. Willis. He was glad he had met him, for now he had made his acquaintance he would not mind seeing him again, and although he had really desired to know him, he had dreaded the first interview. As a rule strangers were greatly struck by the boy's lameness, and if they did not remark on it in words, generally showed their sympathy for his affliction in their faces, which only annoyed him, for he strongly resented pity in any form. Certainly Gilbert Mickle's character was a strange one. On his return home he found his family already seated at the dinner table, and his father, who liked punctuality, reproved him sharply for his tardy appearance. Contrary to his custom on such occasions, Gilbert explained how it was he had been delayed, and told how the time had flown. "Old Gilbert's in a rare good temper," whispered Tom to Dinah, for he was an adept at reading his brother's countenance, "you can see that by his face; I hope he means to keep in the same humour during the holidays. I expect he's more pleased at having won his form-prize than he pretends!" CHAPTER XII Gerald's Selfishness "ANGEL, I want to speak to you!" Angel, who was engaged in industriously weeding a corner of the back garden which her uncle had allotted to her as her own, turned her face towards her brother, and paused in her work as she asked— "Well, Gerald, what is it?" Both children had greatly improved in appearance since their arrival at Wreyford, Angel more noticeably so; already her cheeks were rounder, and their old pallor was giving place to a ruddier, healthier hue. "What is it?" she repeated, as Gerald did not immediately reply. "I'm listening. But, be quick, and tell me what you want, for I'm very busy; Miss Goodwin is going to give me some flower seeds, and I must get the ground ready for them, because Uncle Edward says it's high time they were tilled." "I want to know if you can lend me some money, Angel?" "Why, what have you done with the sixpence father gave you yesterday?" she cried in surprise. "Spent it, of course! It doesn't take long to spend sixpence!" he exclaimed irritably. "No; but don't you remember father said he should give you no more this week?" "I know, I know! That's why I want you to lend me some." "I really can't. I'm very sorry, Gerald, but—" "Oh, how selfish of you!" Gerald interrupted, his eyes flashing indignation upon his sister. "I had no idea you could be so stingy. Do you really mean to say you won't lend me some money?" "I can't, I can't, indeed!" Angel cried distressfully. "I would if I could; but I haven't got any. Not a penny!" Gerald looked incredulous for a minute, then he said— "What have you done with it all? There was that half-crown Uncle Edward gave you the day after we arrived here—you can't have spent all that?"