58 Turnaside Cottage.

 

receive an explanation of this extraordinary and
most culpable behaviour.”

How it was that Tommy had escaped notice I
cannot tell, but there he was at his end of the row
of boys, looking as cool and unconcerned as if he
had disapproved and kept out of the whole affair.
I went to my place, feeling like a prisoner con-
demned to be hanged. Ifthe earth would but open
and hide me! or if I could but turn into a mouse,
and run into a hole in the wall! Remain behind !
What was he going to do to me? cane or flog
me? I was notclear as to what these words meant,
except that they were some terrible kind of beating.
Or would he lead me home in disgrace before all
the village, and make my father believe me guilty
of I know not what? Or would he drag me before
Mr. Prickard for punishment, and I should be turned
out—disowned. No, I would do anything sooner
than face such a doom. I would run away into the
wood, and live on roots and berries. I would go to
Pembroke, to Milford, and get taken on board a
ship, and go away—no matter where. I felt at the
moment that I would rather die than face Mr,
Tombs.

The moment we rose from our knees, I took ad-
vantage of the confusion, and was off, out at the
door, and away. I heard the master calling after