a swamp. There's no saying what's in the lad's head! But, of late,
he's not done much but by times lying on the bank, reading or
speaking verses out loud to himself, or getting young Madison off his
work to listen to him. Once he got me to hear; but, ma'am, 'twas all
about fairies and such like, putting an ass's head on an honest body
as had lost his way. I told him 'twas no good for him or the boy to
read such stuff, and I'd ha' none of it; but, if he chose to read me
some good book, he'd be welcome--for the candles baint so good as
they used, and I can't get no spectacles to suit me.'

'And did he read to you?'

'A bit or two, ma'am, if the humour took him. But he's young, you
see, ma'am. I'm right glad he'll find you here. My old woman says
he do want a lady about the place to make him comfortable like.'

'And who is this young Madison?' asked Mrs. Ponsonby, when they had
turned from the old gardener.

'To hear Jem, you would believe that he is the most promising plant
rearing for Botany Bay!' said Mrs. Frost. 'He is a boy from that
wild place Marksedge, whom Louis took interest in, and made more
familiar than Jem liked, or than, perhaps, was good for him. It did
not answer; the servants did not like it, and it ended in his being
sent to work with Smith, the ironmonger. Poor Louis! he took it
sadly to heart, for he had taken great pains with the boy.'

'I like to hear the old name, Louis!'

'I can't help it,' said Mrs. Frost. 'He must be his old aunt Kitty's