THEODORE'S hand was not long in healing. At the end of a week he was able to dispense with the sling he had at first been obliged to wear, and soon only the scars where the teeth of the gin had torn the skin, remained to remind him of his accident.
Jack, although he had come off easier than his stepbrother, and had been kept up by the strength of his excitement during the time of Theodore's disappearance, and the day of his return to Blackburn Farm, was so unwell on the following morning that he was forced to remain in bed.
But after a few days' rest, Jack soon began to mend, so that by the time Theodore's hand had healed he was almost himself again, and able to join in his stepbrother's pursuits as before.
Moses Stanley and his family made a fortnight's sojourn at Naraton, encamping, by Mr. Fry's kind permission, in a field close to Blackburn Farm-house. Theodore and Jack paid several visits to the encampment during the few last days the gipsies were there.
"I shall never forget how kind you were to me," Theodore told Miriam, "and I think your caravan is the cosiest place I was ever in. Why won't you stay here a little longer?"
But Miriam shook her head smilingly, and declared they must be moving on; so one morning they took their departure early, Moses and Miriam having been generously rewarded for their kindness to Theodore, who parted from them with many protestations of goodwill and gratitude.
"Moses will never settle down as I've done," Seth Stanley informed the boys when they called in to see him after his brother had gone; "his wife loves a roving life too! I couldn't stand being pent-up in a town myself, but there's breathing room on Dartmoor! If I ever feel restless and unsettled I go for a good long walk, and come back contented."
"Father says perhaps we may come here another year," Theodore remarked after a few moments' silence; "I'm sure I hope we shall, because I like Naraton so much, and we've made so many friends here—you for one, Seth!"
"I'm pleased to hear you say so, sir!" the blacksmith responded.
"It has been very jolly at Blackburn Farm," Theodore continued, "and we all feel quite sorry to think we're going home so soon."
When the day of departure came at last, the boys were quite low-spirited at having to say goodbye to the inmates of the farm. Theodore stole away to give a parting caress to the lamb—now grown a fine sturdy animal—which had met with such careless treatment from him at the beginning of its life. The little creature followed him, bleating, to the door of the farm-house, where the carriage was waiting. Then there was Help to be patted, and a few last words to be spoken to the kindly, silent farmer, and his good-natured wife; but at last they were off. A few minutes later they were being driven around the Green, and the boys stood up in the carriage to wave their hands to Seth Stanley, who from the door of his shop was watching their departure.
"I hate good-byes!" Theodore exclaimed.
"So do I!" Jack echoed.
But after all, it was pleasant to be at home once more, as the boys agreed the first night after their return to Afton Hall. The following morning they were up early, and out in the garden retailing their experiences to John Bawdon long before the rest of the household had arisen. The old man lent a keenly interested ear to their lively chatter; but he could not suppress an exclamation of horror when Theodore showed the scars on his hand, and explained the cause of their being there.
Then the boys had to examine their own little gardens, which John Bawdon had been empowered to keep free from weeds during their absence; and Jack, much to his delight, discovered a pink monthly rose blooming on the bush in the middle of his flower-bed, which he gathered and presented to his mother at the breakfast-table.
"I wonder if Aunt Selina and Aunt Penelope will be here to-day?" Theodore said, addressing his father. "I expect Aunt Pen will be fussing about our lessons as soon as she sees us."
"I think not," Mr. Barton replied. "I may as well tell you I mean to get a tutor for you boys, to prepare you for a public school. I have written to Aunt Penelope, and she owns she finds you rather too great a responsibility to undertake your education any longer."
There was a short silence. The boys felt a little dismay at the prospect of a tutor at first; but in a few moments Theodore's face brightened.
"Yes, we ought to be taught by a man. We're too old for a governess now. I shall soon be nine." And he fell to thinking of the watch which his father had promised him on his next birthday, and of the conversation he had had with Jack on the subject, that never-to-be-forgotten day on the moor.
Later on, when he found himself alone with his father, he seized the opportunity of speaking to him about the promised present.
"I should so like Jack to have a watch, too," he said wistfully. "Do you think you could manage it, father?"
"I will see," Mr. Barton answered, smiling.
"Because," Theodore proceeded, "I want Jack to have one the same as me, just as though we were real brothers!"
Mr. Barton looked at the bright face of his son, at the clear grey eyes that met his so fearlessly, and his heart filled with tender affection and fatherly pride.
"I will think about the matter," he said briefly; but Theodore was perfectly satisfied.
And think about it Mr. Barton did, and consult his wife as well; with the result that a few days later he called the boys into the west parlour, and presented each with a serviceable watch, saying he had decided to give them now, instead of waiting until Theodore's birthday, which was not for another three months.
Needless to say, the boys were delighted; and still more so when Mrs. Barton entered the room and gave each a pretty chain, attached to which was a lucky sixpence. They could hardly find words to express their thanks, so proud and excited were they.
"You will not have an excuse for being late at meal-times now," Mrs. Barton reminded them, as they examined their new treasures.
"No," Jack agreed, as he looked at his presents with admiring eyes. "Oh, Theo, here are my initials on the back of my watch!"
"And here are mine—'T.B.,'" Theodore replied.
He had already opened the back of his watch, and was curiously inspecting its works.
"Be careful, Theo," Jack said warningly. "I don't think you ought to breathe into your watch,—ought he, mother?"
"No, I think not, my dear. By the way, I want to remind you boys to be in good time for tea this afternoon, because your aunts are coming."
Mrs. Barton received her guests in the west parlour, explaining that she knew they would prefer that apartment to the large drawing-room.
"We generally have tea here," she said, "because it is so sunny and pleasant at this hour of the day. Won't you take this easy chair, Miss Selina?"
"No, thank you," was the reply, as Miss Selina selected a straight-backed chair, on which she sat bolt upright, looking as gaunt and stiff as usual. "I was never accustomed to loll when I was young, and I don't mean to begin now I'm old."
Miss Penelope laughed as she accepted the seat which her sister despised. She was looking brighter and more cheerful than she generally did.
"We had a visit from the boys this morning," she told Mrs. Barton; "they came to show their watches, and to bring us some flowers from their own gardens."
"We did not fail to appreciate the kindly thoughts which evidently prompted their gifts to us," Miss Selina remarked. "How well both boys look! You know I am nothing if not outspoken, and I always speak my mind. So I must tell you how much I consider Theodore has improved. He was always a dear boy; but I can mark your influence on him—I can indeed."
"It is most evident," Miss Penelope said; and she spoke cordially, for she had long ceased to grudge Mrs. Barton her due. "We were very pleased to hear how he spoke of you," she continued earnestly; "he called you 'mother,' as though he was accustomed to do so, too."
"He always does now," Mrs. Barton responded, her face beaming with happy smiles.
"Did I not say he would one day of his own free will?" Miss Selina exclaimed heartily.
"You did indeed!"
Miss Penelope flushed, for she remembered the occasion well. She recognised now how foolish and spiteful she had been, and was honestly glad that Theodore was on good terms with his stepmother. A few minutes later Mr. Barton came in, and was shortly followed by the boys.
Tea was brought in, and they were all very merry and happy together. Miss Selina asked Theodore how he had spent the afternoon, and he informed her he had been gardening with John Bawdon. To-morrow he and Jack intended going harvesting.
"Ah! you had better make the most of your freedom," Miss Penelope said, with a smile, "for your tutor will not leave much spare time on your hands."
"Oh, I daresay he'll give us holidays sometimes," the boy responded cheerfully.
When the visitors left, Mr. Barton accompanied them to their home, as was his custom on such occasions. Mrs. Barton and the boys repaired to the garden, where Theodore drew his stepmother's attention to the carnations which were coming into bloom. "John Bawdon says they'll be a fine show in a week's time, please God," he told her.
He did not laugh now as he repeated the old man's favourite formula, for he was learning to regard life from the point of view of those who look to their Heavenly Father to perfect their imperfect works. "See, mother, how the buds are all ready to burst. A little more sunshine and they'll be in full bloom."
"Yes," she replied in an absentminded tone. "Theo," she said suddenly, "do you remember the day I came to Afton Hall?"
"Rather! And how I hid in the lumber-room, and Jane found me, and pushed me into the west parlour where you and father were—and Jack."
"Ah, yes."
"How surprised I was when I saw Jack. And afterwards, when I heard you singing to him 'At even ere the sun was set,' it made me think of my own mother, and—and—I didn't want to like you, but I liked Jack. I couldn't help it."
"I know; I saw how it was. Oh, Theo, you don't wish now we had never come?"
"Jane says you have made us all happier," Theodore said in an earnest voice, "and John Bawdon says he thinks God sent you, and I think so too. I am glad God made Jack well. It was dreadful for him when he was so ill. I can't imagine how he could have been so good and patient. Father says he has the soul of a hero, because he can bear suffering, and not complain."
"Do you remember asking me who was the greatest man that ever lived?" Mrs. Barton enquired, with a tender smile.
"Yes; and I remember all you said," Theodore answered eagerly. "I couldn't understand then, but I do now. Oh!" he cried, with a change of tone, "here are father and Jack. Jack, come round to the stables with me, and see Jigger have his supper."
The two boys went off together, whilst Mr. and Mrs. Barton remained in the garden. What their conversation was about may be judged from the following remarks:
"The aunts are simply delighted to see how Theodore has grown to love you," he said.
"I am happier than I can express," was the fervent response. "At one time I almost despaired of winning his regard; but he is a noble boy, and it has been good for Jack that they have met."
THE END.