The intruder lowered his gaze abruptly, flushing to the roots of his fair
hair. "I came," he said, in a very low voice, "to--to ask you something."

"Then you've come some distance to do it," said Saltash lightly, "for I
never turn back. Perhaps that was your idea, was it?"

"No--no!" With a vehement shake of the head he made answer. "I didn't
think you would start so soon. I thought--I would be able to ask you
first."

"Oh, indeed!" said Saltash. And then unexpectedly he laid a hand upon one
narrow shoulder and turned the downcast face upwards. "Ah! I thought he'd
marked you, the swine! What was he drubbing you for? Tell me that!"

A great purple bruise just above one eye testified to the severity of the
drubbing; the small, boyish countenance quivered sensitively under his
look. With sudden impulse two trembling hands closed tightly upon his
arm.

"Well?" said Saltash.

"Oh, please, sir--please, my lord, I mean--" with great earnestness the
words came--"let me stay with you! I'll earn my keep somehow, and I
shan't take up much room!"

"Oh, that's the idea, is it?" said Saltash.

"Yes--yes!" The boy's eyes implored him,--blue eyes with short black
lashes that imparted an oddly childish look to a face that was otherwise