On a fine day they were quite a family party; the old lady sitting hard by with her work-basket on a little table; the old gentleman digging, or pruning, or clipping about with a large pair of shears, or helping Kit in some way or other with great assiduity; and Whisker looking on from his paddock in placid contemplation of them all.

To-day they were to trim the grape-vine, so Kit mounted half-way up a short ladder, and began to snip and hammer away, while the old gentleman, with a great interest in his proceedings, handed up the nails and shreds of cloth as he wanted them.

The old lady and Whisker looked on as usual.
'Well, Christopher,' said Mr Garland, 'and so you have made a new friend, eh ?' 'I beg your pardon, Sir ?' returned Kit, looking down from the ladder.
'You have made a new friend, I hear from Mr Abel,' said the old gentleman, 'at the office!' 'Oh! Yes Sir, yes.

He behaved very handsome, Sir.' 'I'm glad to hear it,' returned the old gentlemen with a smile.

'He is disposed to behave more handsomely still, though, Christopher.' 'Indeed, Sir! It's very kind in him, but I don't want him to, I'm sure,' said Kit, hammering stoutly at an obdurate nail.
'He is rather anxious,' pursued the old gentleman, 'to have you in his own service--take care what you're doing, or you will fall down and hurt yourself.' 'To have me in his service, Sir ?' cried Kit, who had stopped short in his work and faced about on the ladder like some dexterous tumbler.
'Why, Sir, I don't think he can be in earnest when he says that.' 'Oh! But he is indeed,' said Mr Garland.