"Bless the boy! It's fifty miles away." 

 "So my shoes show; but it's a pleasant trip in summer time." 

 "But why did you walk, child! Had you no money?" 

 "Plenty, but not for wasting on coaches, when my own stout legs could carry me. I took a two days' holiday and saved my money for better things." 

 "I like that," said Hester, with an approving nod. "You'll get on, my lad, if that's your way, and I'll lend a hand, for laziness is my abomination, and one sees plenty nowadays." 

 "Thank you. That's friendly, and I'll prove that I am grateful. Please tell me, is my lady ill?" 

 "Always delicate since Sir Richard died." 

 "How long ago was that?" 

 "Ten years or more." 

 "Are there no young gentlemen in the family?" 

 "No, Miss Lillian is an only child, and a sweet one, bless her!" 

 "A proud little lady, I should say." 

 "And well she may be, for there's no better blood in England than the Trevlyns, and she's heiress to a noble fortune." 

 "Is that the Trevlyn coat of arms?" asked the boy abruptly, pointing to a stone falcon with the motto ME AND MINE carved over the gate through which they were passing. 

 "Yes. Why do you ask?" 

 "Mere curiosity; I know something of heraldry and often paint these things for my own pleasure. One learns odd amusements abroad," he added, seeing an expression of surprise on the woman's face. 

 "You'll have little time for such matters here. Come in and report yourself to the keeper, and if you'll take my advice ask no questions of him, for you'll get no answers." 

 "I seldom ask questions of men, as they are not fond of gossip." And the boy nodded with a smile of mischievous significance as he entered the keeper's lodge. 

 A sharp lad and a 

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