We were within the walls now. Cuthbert, with a few fervent words of thanks, turned towards Clifford's house, and I went home. Granny gave a little cry of joy when I opened the kitchen door. 'My dear,' she said, hardly waiting to greet me, 'the very thing I have been wishing for, is for you to come home. We're in sad trouble, Willie. Do you know where Cuthbert is?' 'He came back with me just now.' 'I'm thankful for that. One couldn't tell what the poor boy might do. Willie, my dear, he and father had words,' said Granny, coming close and whispering mysteriously. 'It's about the money in the teapot, and it's all my fault.' 'Where's father?' I asked. 'Hush, he's upstairs now, counting It. He's always counting it, I think. That was where it was, you see. He was called away of a sudden when he was just putting something into the teapot, and he left the cupboard door open; and I came in and saw it. It was my old teapot, Willie, and I was glad to see it again, and so----' 'Granny, I want to go and speak to father.' 'So you shall, my dear; but just you wait and hear me first. And so, my dear--what was I going to say? It was my old teapot, and I used to keep odd halfpence in it, and stand it on the mantel-shelf. He took it away. I thought I'd lost it d'ye see, Willie?' 'Yes, Granny, I see. Will you----' Granny held my arm tighter, and still whispering went on. 'My dear, I'm right vexed. I shouldn't ha' done it, but I meant no harm. When I saw my teapot, I took it thinking it was nobbut my coppers as made it heavy. Stephen missed it, and Cuthbert was there.' 'What did he say to Cuthbert?' 'My dear, they had words. Clifford, he came in, and Hildred. When I got into the room father sat there mazed-like about his money, and Cuthbert was standing as it might be here. I told them, and I brought back the teapot directly, my dear, but it was too late. Cuthbert flung out of the house and----. Hush, Willie, here's father coming downstairs.' He came in. He looked surprised, and as it seemed to me only half pleased to see me. 'Father,' said my grandmother, 'Cuthbert's got back.' My father looked up. 'I thought he'd come. What's he been about?' 'He's enlisted,' I said sadly. I could not tell whether my father was surprised, or glad, or sorry. He said nothing, but I noticed that he gave me one or two quick looks from under his shaggy eyebrows. 'Father,' I said, 'you will see poor Cuthbert before he goes?' 'Humph! I suppose you know he's been beforehand with you with Hildred. Did he tell you that?' 'Yes, he told me. He meant no harm by me. He doesn't know.' 'I wish the lad had never come nigh the place.' Just as he said this, the door was opened quickly, and Cuthbert came in. He went straight up to my father, the colour coming all over his face, and held out his hand.