I thought--I would be able to ask you first." "Oh, indeed!" said Saltash.

And then unexpectedly he laid a hand upon one narrow shoulder and turned the downcast face upwards.

"Ah! I thought he'd marked you, the swine! What was he drubbing you for?
Tell me that!" A great purple bruise just above one eye testified to the severity of the drubbing; the small, boyish countenance quivered sensitively under his look.

With sudden impulse two trembling hands closed tightly upon his arm.
"Well ?" said Saltash.
"Oh, please, sir--please, my lord, I mean--" with great earnestness the words came--"let me stay with you! I'll earn my keep somehow, and I shan't take up much room!" "Oh, that's the idea, is it ?" said Saltash.
"Yes--yes!" The boy's eyes implored him,--blue eyes with short black lashes that imparted an oddly childish look to a face that was otherwise thin and sharp with anxiety.

"I can do anything.