"He talks of nothing else; is full of it," answered Oliver. "His uncle says he is not to go; and old Paul stopped him at the first half-word, saying he could not be spared from the office. Dick says he shall start all the same, leave or no leave." "Dick will be very silly to go just now, when we are about to be so gay," remarked Jane, "There's the picnic coming off; and the dance at Mrs. Jacob Chandler's; and no end of tea-parties." For just now the neighbourhood was putting on a spurt of gaiety, induced to it perhaps by the lovely summer sunshine. Oliver's face wore a look of gloom, and he made no answer to Jane's remark. Several matters, cross and contrary, were trying Oliver Preen; not the least of them that he seemed to make no way whatever with Miss Emma. * * * * * When we left school for the midsummer holidays that year, Mr. and Mrs. Todhetley were staying at Crabb Cot. We got there on Friday, the eleventh of June. On the following Monday morning the Squire went to his own small sitting-room after breakfast to busy himself with his accounts and papers. Presently I heard him call me. "Have you a mind for a walk, Johnny?" "Yes, sir; I should be glad of one." Tod had gone to the Whitneys for a couple of days, and without him I felt like a fish out of water. "Well, I want you to go as far as Massock's. He is a regular cheat; that man, Johnny, needs looking after---- What is it, Thomas?" For old Thomas had come in, a card between his fingers. "It's Mr. Gervais Preen, sir," he said, in answer, putting the card on the Squire's table. "Can you see him?" "Oh, yes, I can see him; show him in. Wait a bit, though, Thomas," broke off the Squire. "Johnny, I expect Preen has come about that pony. I suppose we may as well keep him?" "Tod said on Saturday, sir, that we should not do better," I answered. "He tried him well, and thinks he is worth the price." "Ay; ten pounds, wasn't it? We'll keep him, then. Mr. Preen can come in, Thomas." Some few days before this the Squire had happened to say in Preen's hearing that he wanted a pony for the two children to ride, Hugh and Lena. Preen caught up the words, saying he had one for sale--a very nice pony, sound and quiet. So the pony had been sent to Crabb Cot upon trial, and we all liked him. His name was Taffy. Mr. Preen came into the room, his small face cool and dark as usual; he had driven from Duck Brook. "A fine morning," he remarked, as he sat down; but it would be fiery hot by-and-by, too hot for the middle of June, and we should probably pay for it later. The Squire asked if he would take anything, but he declined. "What of the pony--Taffy--Squire?" went on Mr. Preen. "Do you like him?" "Yes, we like him very well," said the Squire, heartily, "and we mean to keep him, Preen." "All right," said Mr. Preen. "You will not repent it."