and you may take your choice.'

'Please, sir,' said Stephen firmly, 'the place is ours, and I'm never to
part with it. I'll never poach, and I'll never trespass on the manor; but
I can't sell the old house, sir.'

'Now, just listen to me, young Fern,' said Thomas Wyley; 'you'll be
compelled to give up Fern's Hollow in right of the lord of the manor; and
then if you come to the House for relief, mark my words, I'll send your
grandfather off to Bristol, for that's his parish, and you'll never see
him again; and I'll give orders for you never to see little Nan; and I'll
apprentice you and your other sister in different places. So you had
better be reasonable, and take our advice while you can be made
comfortable.'

'Please, sir, I can't go against my promise,' answered Stephen, with a
sob.

'What's the use of wasting one's breath?' said the master; 'this place
I want, and this place I'll have; and we'll see if this young jail-bird
will stand in my way. Ah, my fine fellow, it's no such secret where your
grandfather spent twenty-one years of his life; and you'll have a sup of
the same broth some day. You don't keep a dog like that yelping cur for
nothing; and I'll tell the gamekeeper to have his eye upon you.'

Stephen stood motionless, watching them down the narrow path which led to
Botfield, until a rabbit started from beneath the hedge, and Snip, with a
sharp, short bark of excitement, gave it chase in the direction of the
two men. The master paused, and, looking back, shook his stick
threateningly at the motionless figure of the boy; while Thomas Wyley