60 A MUTTERED THREAT.

 I'll pay Miss Barker off for this," Tom muttered
between his teeth, as he swung himself down from
his seat when they drew up at the door.
 "You and Charley had better come in with
me," said Mrs. Layton; "the young ladies can
stay in the carriage." Tom stuck his hands into
his pockets, and marched behind his grandmamma
with a very sulky countenance. As we shall be
detained here a little, you had better drive the
young ladies as far as Holm Brook," said Mrs.
Layton to the coachman.
 "I'm really very glad grandma has made up
 her mind to send Tom to school," said Julia as
 they drove along. As long as mamma was with
 us he got on very well with our tutor, Mr. Paget;
 but because he knows grandma can't bear to be
 bothered, and rather gives him his own way than
 have the trouble of scolding him, he is very idle
 and disagreeable at times."
 "I was half afraid you would feel vexed with
 me," said Bertha. It seemed somehow as if my
 accident had been the cause of him being sent
 away."
 Oh, don't trouble your mind about that," said
 Julia; "he would have got into trouble soon
 enough whether you had been there or not. He