be concealed somewhere where he could witness the commotion excited
by his own departure. But as he could not be in two places at the same
time, he must lose that satisfaction. He had cut loose from the Mudge
household, as he trusted, forever. He felt that a new and brighter life
was opening before him.




VIII.

A FRIEND IN NEED.


Our hero did not stop till he had put a good five miles between himself
and the poorhouse. He knew that it would not be long before Mr. Mudge
would discover his absence, and the thought of being carried back was
doubly distasteful to him now that he had, even for a short time, felt
the joy of being his own master. His hurried walk, taken in the fresh
morning air, gave him quite a sharp appetite. Luckily he had the means
of gratifying it. The night before he had secreted half his supper,
knowing that he should need it more the next morning. He thought he
might now venture to sit down and eat it.

At a little distance from the road was a spring, doubtless used for
cattle, since it was situated at the lower end of a pasture. Close
beside and bending over it was a broad, branching oak, which promised a
cool and comfortable shelter.

"That's just the place for me," thought Paul, who felt thirsty as well