It is quite enough reward that I have been useful to my master, and that he acknowledges it." My father thought a minute, and then offered his hand.

"Thee'rt in the right, lad.

I am very much obliged to thee, and I will not forget it." And John--blushing brightly once more--went away, looking as proud as an emperor, and as happy as a poor man with a bag of gold.
"Is there nothing thou canst think of, Phineas, that would pleasure the lad ?" said my father, after we had been talking some time--though not about John.
I had thought of something--something I had long desired, but which seemed then all but an impossibility.

Even now it was with some doubt and hesitation that I made the suggestion that he should spend every Sunday at our house.
"Nonsense!--thee know'st nought of Norton Bury lads.

He would not care.