His heart beat quickly when he bethought himself of this; and he half resolved to turn back.
He had come a long way though, and should lose a great deal of time by doing so.

Besides, it was so early that there was very little fear of his being seen; so he walked on.
He reached the house.

There was no appearance of its inmates stirring at that early hour.

Oliver stopped, and peeped into the garden.

A child was weeding one of the little beds; as he stopped, he raised his pale face and disclosed the features of one of his former companions.
Oliver felt glad to see him, before he went; for, though younger than himself, he had been his little friend and playmate.