burr of many a stocking-loom, the prattle of children paddling in the
gutter, and sailing thereon a fleet of potato parings. In front the
High Street, with the mayor's house opposite, porticoed and grand:
and beyond, just where the rain-clouds were breaking, rose up out of
a nest of trees, the square tower of our ancient abbey--Norton Bury's
boast and pride. On it, from a break in the clouds, came a sudden
stream of light. The stranger-lad lifted up his head to look at it.

"The rain will be over soon," I said, but doubted if he heard me.
What could he be thinking of so intently?--a poor working lad, whom
few would have given credit for thinking at all.

I do not suppose my father cast a second glance or thought on the
boy, whom, from a sense of common justice, he had made take shelter
beside us. In truth, worthy man, he had no lack of matter to occupy
his mind, being sole architect of a long up-hill but now thriving
trade. I saw, by the hardening of his features, and the restless way
in which he poked his stick into the little water-pools, that he was
longing to be in his tan-yard close by.

He pulled out his great silver watch--the dread of our house, for it
was a watch which seemed to imbibe something of its master's
character; remorseless as justice or fate, it never erred a moment.

"Twenty-three minutes lost by this shower. Phineas, my son, how am I
to get thee safe home? unless thee wilt go with me to the tan-yard--"

I shook my head. It was very hard for Abel Fletcher to have for his
only child such a sickly creature as I, now, at sixteen, as helpless
and useless to him as a baby.