been used; and I couldn't let grandfather and little Nan come upon the
parish. Martha must stay at home to mind them; and I'll work my fingers
to the bone for them all, sir. Many thanks all the same to you for coming
up here to see after us.'

'Very fine indeed, my little fellow,' said Thomas Wyley; 'but you don't
understand what you are talking about. It is my place to see after the
poor, and I cannot leave you in charge of such a very old man and such
a child as this, No, no; they must be taken care of; and they'll be made
right comfortable in the House.'

'Father said,' replied Stephen, 'that I was never to let grandfather
and little Nan come upon the parish. I get my wages, and we've no rent
to pay; and the potatoes and oats will help us; and Martha can pick
bilberries on the hill, and carry bundles of firing to the village; and
we'll do well enough without the parish. Many thanks all the same to you,
sir.'

'Hark ye, my lad,' said the master impatiently. 'I want to buy your old
hut and field from you. I'll give ye a ten-pound note for it; a whole ten
pounds. Why, a fortune for you!'

'Father said,' repeated Stephen, 'I was never to give up Fern's Hollow;
and I gave him a sure promise for that, and to take care of little Nan as
long as ever I lived.'

'Fern's Hollow is none of yours,' cried the master, in a rage; 'you've
just been a family of paupers and squatters, living up here by poaching
and thieving. I'll unearth you, I promise ye; you have been a disgrace to
the manor long enough. So it is ten pounds or nothing for your old hole;