I wanted him to sit down by the fireside.
"Ay! do, lad," said my father, kindly.
John came.
I stood between the two--afraid to ask what they had undergone; but sure, from the old man's grave face, and the lad's bright one--flushed all over with that excitement of danger so delicious to the young--that the peril had not been small.
"Jael," cried my father, rousing himself, "give us some breakfast; the lad and me--we have had a hard night's work together." Jael brought the mug of ale and the bread and cheese; but either did not or could not notice that the meal had been ordered for more than one.
"Another plate," said my father, sharply.
"The lad can go into the kitchen, Abel Fletcher: his breakfast is waiting there." My father winced--even her master was sometimes rather afraid of Jael.
But conscience or his will conquered.
"Woman, do as I desired.

Bring another plate, and another mug of ale." And so, to Jael's great wrath, and to my great joy, John Halifax was bidden, and sat down to the same board as his master.

The fact made an ineffaceable impression on our household.
After breakfast, as we sat by the fire, in the pale haze of that February morning, my father, contrary to his wont, explained to me all his losses; and how, but for the timely warning he had received, the flood might have nearly ruined him.
"So it was well John came," I said, half afraid to say more.
"Ay, and the lad has been useful, too: it is an old head on young shoulders." John looked very proud of this praise, though it was grimly given.

But directly after it some ill or suspicious thought seemed to come into Abel Fletcher's mind.
"Lad," suddenly turning round on John Halifax, "thee told me thee saw the river rising by the light of the moon.

What wast THEE doing then, out o' thy honest bed and thy quiet sleep, at eleven o'clock at night ?" John coloured violently; the quick young blood was always ready enough to rise in his face.