It was impossible to believe that everything was miserable in the midst of so much gladness, and Dick's face brightened and his step became brisker almost without his knowing it, as he trudged higher and higher up that steep road.

His thoughts, too, took a less desponding turn.
"After all," said he to himself, "perhaps I am foolish to be running away from my master's house.

I had better be the scullery boy of good Master Fitzwarren, although his cook does ill-treat me and lead me a dog's life, than the vagabond idle boy which I am now.

And yet I cannot endure the thought of returning to that cruel woman.

Would that I knew what to do!" Thus he thought and questioned with himself, when he came to a stone set by the wayside; and here he sat to rest, and ruminate further upon his evil fortune.
"If some voice would but say `Return,' I would return," said he, "even though she scold and beat me, for I know not what to do, without a friend in the world.