"So he put all that remained of what his aunt had given him of the fruit into his pocket, for himself, and left the room. He went straight to the yard where the boys played, and scarcely got there in time to hinder Griffith from beginning his tricks with Bernard, for he had got a piece of whipcord, and was insisting that the boy should be tied with it between Meekin and Price, and that they should be the team and he the driver; and a pretty run would the first and last horse have given the middle one, had Griffith's plan been executed. "Bernard was already beginning to whine and put his finger in his eye, when Stephen came in and called out: "'Eh, what's that there? David Griffith, let the child alone; he has not been used to your horseplay.' "And as Stephen was much bigger and stronger than the other boys, they all thought it best to give way. "Bernard was let off, and he walked away, not in the best of tempers, into the house, and into Miss Evans's own parlour, where she was seated at her usual employment, darning stockings. "'Well, Master Low,' she said, 'I hope you find everything agreeable; I am sure it shall not be my fault if you do not; you have only to say the word and anything you don't like shall be changed, if it is in my power.' "'I don't like that boy,' answered Bernard; 'that David Griffith.' "'Never mind him, never mind him, Master Low,' replied Miss Evans; 'any time that he don't make himself agreeable, only come to me; I am always glad to see you here to sit in my parlour, and warm yourself if it is cold. You know how much I respect your papa and mamma; there is nothing I would not do for them.' "Bernard had been so much used to flattery and fond words, that he did not value them at all; he thought that they were only his due; and he did not so much as say 'Thank you' to Miss Evans, nor even look smiling nor pleasant; but he walked up to her round table, and curiously eyed the large worsted stocking which she was darning--'Whose is that?' he said. "'My brother's, Master Low,' she answered. "'Does he wear such things as those?' said Bernard; 'but I suppose he must, because he is poor, and a curate, and a schoolmaster--my papa wears silk.' "'Your papa,' said Miss Evans, 'is a rich man, Master Low, and a rector; and he can afford many things we must not think of.' "'When shall we dine?' asked the boy. "'Very soon, my dear,' answered Miss Evans. "And then Master Bernard turned off to some other question, as impertinently expressed as those he had put before. "The dinner was set out in the room used for a schoolroom; an ill-shaped room, with walls that had been washed with salmon colour, but which were all scratched and inked. Each boy had a stool to sit upon; the cloth was coarse, though clean, and all the things set upon the table were coarse also. "When called to dinner by a rough maidservant, Miss Evans led Bernard in by the hand, and set him by herself on a chair at the _head_ of the table.