The time glided on, but I did not go to the garden again, for my mother
felt that we must not put ourselves under so great an obligation to a
stranger. Neither did I take her over for a walk, but we sat at the
window a great deal after lesson time; and whenever I was alone and
Shock was within sight, he used to indulge in some monkey-like gesture,
all of which seemed meant to show me what a very little he thought of
me.
At the end of a fortnight, as I was sitting at the window talking to a
boy who went to a neighbouring school, and telling him why I did not go,
a great clod of earth came over the wall and hit the boy in the back.
"Who's that!" he cried sharply. "Did you shy that lump?"
"No," I said; and before I could say more, he cried: "I know. It was Brownsmith's baboon shied that. Only let us get him
out in the fields, we'll give it him. You know him, don't you?"
"Do you mean Shock?" I said.
"Yes, that ragged old dirty chap," he cried. "You can see him out of
your window, can't you?"
"I can sometimes," I said; "but I can't now."
"That's because he's sneaking along under the wall. Never mind; we'll
pay him some day if he only comes out."
"Doesn't he come out then?"
"No. He's nobody's boy, and sleeps in the sheds over there. One of
Brownsmith's men picked him up in the road, and brought him home in one
of the market carts. Brownsmith sent him to the workhouse, but he
always runs away and comes back. He's just like a monkey, ain't he?
Here, I must go; but I say, why don't you ask your ma to let you come
and play with us; we have rare games down the meadows, bathing, and
wading, and catching dace?"
"I should like to come," I said dolefully.
"Ah, there's no end of things to see down there--water-rats and frogs;
and there's a swan's nest, with the old bird sitting; and don't the old
cock come after you savage if you go near! Oh, we do have rare games
there on half-holidays! I wish you'd come."
"I should like to," I said.
"Ain't too proud; are you?"
"Oh no!" I said, shaking my head.
"Because I was afraid you were. Well, I shall catch it if I stop any
longer. I say, is your ma better?"
I shook my head.
"Ain't going to die, is she?"
"Oh no!" I said sharply.
"That's all right. Well, you get her to let you come. What's your
name?"
"Grant," I said.
"Grant! Grant what?"
"Dennison."
"Oh, all right, Grant! I shall call for you next half-holiday; and mind
you come."