The half crown a week, however, would pay her rent; and she expected that she should make, at any rate, enough to provide food for herself and Reuben.
Mrs.Whitney had hoped that, although Lewes was but four miles from the village, the story about the dog would not travel so far; for it was not often that anyone from the village went over to the town.

In this, however, she was mistaken for, a week after Reuben had gone to work, the foreman went to his master and said: "I don't know whether you are aware, Mr.Penfold, about that new boy; but I hear that he had to leave Tipping, where he was employed by Squire Ellison, for poisoning the squire's dog." "How did you hear it ?" Mr.Penfold asked.
"William Jenkins heard it from a man named Thorne, who belongs to the village, and whom he met at a public house, yesterday." "William Jenkins had best not spend so much time in public houses," Mr.Penfold said shortly.

"I heard the story before I saw the boy and, from what I hear, I believe he was wrongfully accused.

Just tell Jenkins that; and say that if I hear of him, or any of the hands, throwing the thing up in the boy's face, I will dismiss them instantly." And so Reuben did not know, till long after, that the story of the killing of the dog was known to anyone at Lewes.
For three years he worked in Mr.Penfold's yard, giving much satisfaction to his employer by his steadiness and handiness.

He continued his studies of an evening, under the advice of his former master; who came over with his wife, three or four times each year, to spend a day with Mrs.Whitney.Reuben was now receiving ten shillings a week and, although the receipts of the shop failed, he and his mother were able to live in considerable comfort.
One day, about three years after coming to Lewes, he was returning to work after dinner when, as he passed a carriage standing in front of one of the shops, he heard his name pronounced, and the colour flushed to his cheek as, looking up, he saw Kate Ellison.
Timidly he touched his cap, and would have hurried on, but the girl called to him.
"Stop a minute, Reuben.