“Again, why?”

“For nothing. Or⁠—it’s much the same⁠—because something I happened to say about my sister didn’t happen to please him.”

“Then he knows your sister?”

“He didn’t at that time,” said the boy, still moodily pondering.

“Does now?”

The boy had so lost himself that he looked at Mr. Bradley Headstone as they walked on side by side, without attempting to reply until the question had been repeated; then he nodded and answered, “Yes, sir.”

“Going to see her, I dare say.”

“It can’t be!” said the boy, quickly. “He doesn’t know her well enough. I should like to catch him at it!”