44 THE TWO APPRENTICES.

ran hastily back, buoyant-hearted with all his good
resolutions, and was a little alarmed to see the post-
chaise standing at the door. Aunt Dorothy and the
farmer’s wife were seated on the horse-block, and
Joanna and the farmer were looking out from the
farm-yard gate; they evidently were looking for
him, and then, all at once, for the first time since a
had been out, he remembered that his aunt Joamha-
had warned him not to be long, not above an hour ;
for they wanted to be at home in good time—how
could he have forgotten? Aunt Joanna looked dis-
pleased as he came up; he had never seen her look
displeased before.

“ Well, youngster, we’ve had a pretty hunt for
you,” said the farmer, when he reached the gate.

“You must have forgotten what I said,” remarked
Aunt Joanna.

“Ah, Master William,” began the farmer’s wife,
“I’ve had a pretty time to pacify your Aunt
Dorothy ; she thought you must have got drowned,
or some mischief.”

“Tam very sorry,” said William ; and felt quite
humble and submissive, but there was no time or
opportunity to say more. He hurried into the par-
lour to have tea, or coffee, or wine. There was
plum-cake, seed-cake, and bread and butter: he
must have something—he could eat nothing; he
wanted so much to make his peace with everybody.
But there was no chance for his getting in a word
his aunts, and the farmer and his wife, were at the
chaise-door, in the full energy and activity of leave-
- taking. There was a basket full of eggs, a bottle
of cream, and some fresh butter to go into the
chaise ; there was a hamper of apples and a couple