He represented to his mother that Jeffreys was necessary to his safety abroad, and to his father that Jeffreys would be knocked up if he did not take regular daily exercise.

He skilfully hinted that Jeffreys read Aeschylus with him sometimes; and once, as a crowning argument, produced a complete "dodge," perfected and mechanically clever, "which," he asserted, "Jeff made me stick to till I'd done." Mr Rimbolt did not conceal the satisfaction with which he noticed the good influence on the boy of his new friend, and readily fell in with the arrangement that Jeffreys' afternoons should be placed at his own (which meant Percy's) disposal.

As for Mrs Rimbolt, she groaned to think of her boy consorting with quondam tramps, yet consoled herself with the knowledge that Percy had now some one who would look after him and keep him out of danger, even with a vulgar right arm.
Jeffreys accepted this new responsibility cheerfully, and even eagerly.
It sometimes came over him with a shock, what would these people say if they knew about young Forrester?
Yet was not this care of a boy given to him now as a means, if not of winning back his good name, at least of atoning in some measure by the good he would try to do him, and the patience with which he would bear with his exacting ways for what was past?
It was in that spirit he accepted the trust, and felt happy in it.
As the summer passed on, Wildtree, the moors around which were famous for their game, became full of visitors.

The invasion did not disturb Jeffreys, for he felt that he would be able to retire into private life and avoid it.

The company numbered a few boys of Percy's age, so that even that young gentleman would not be likely to require his services for a while.