THE SLAB, 101

by forehanded; nor did she see why Comfort
should go away from home, to live at the Gener-
al’s, to get money, unless her father was poor.
However, she was prevented from asking her any
more questions by something which here happened
to attract her attention.

For just at this time the road descended near
to the stream which Lucy had heard in the bot-
tom of the ravine; and there was a large opening
through the trees, so that she could see down to
the water. It was foaming and tumbling like a
cataract, along a very rocky bed. The stream
was pretty broad, and there were several rocks
and rocky islands scattered about its bed. On
one of these islands, at a little distance from the
shore, they saw a little boy sitting alone; and he
seemed to be crying.

‘Only look at that boy,” said Comfort. “I
wonder how he came there.”

So saying, Comfort drew up the reins, and
stopped the horse, in the middle of the road.
The boy looked up and saw them.

‘What's the matter, my boy?” said Comfort,
in a loud voice.

The boy answered something, but the roar of
the water was so loud that they could not hear
what he said.

9*