My people lived in
Somersetshire."
"Then perhaps you will come and pay us a visit, and see Ronald after he
has learned the full use of the saddle and bridle--eh, Ronald?"
"Oh--aunty! Will you come?" said Ronald.
"I will, darling.--I should like it very much indeed, Mr. Harvey; it is
most kind of you to ask me."
"But please--please," said Ronald, who had suddenly lost all his fear,
"may Connie come, too?"
"Who's Connie?"
"My special friend and sister."
"Ho, ho!" said the old man. "I must hear more about her. Can make no
rash promises. But all right, little chap; I'll do what I can for you.
Now, if you had taken after---- Well, never mind--I won't say anything to
hurt you."
"And, please," said Ronald suddenly, "of course you wouldn't pay my
aunty, for the things she did can't be paid for. But poor Mrs.
Cricket--aunty, I know her address. The place in the country is called
Eastborough; and it's Ivy Cottage, aunty; and--she was good to me----"
"Yes," said Mrs. Anderson, "you'll let me explain, please, Mr. Harvey.
This dear little boy spent a month at Mrs. Cricket's, and she was never
paid a penny."
"She ought to be paid," said Ronald. "Course, when father returns he'll
pay you back again. But she ought to get it, for there was real new-laid
eggs, and the chickens were so tender."
"'Pon my word," said the old gentleman, "you're a queer boy! I guess
you've got the true Harvey blood in you.
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