human
Rodney, my boy, he said,
gpt
I felt as if we had been doing something underhanded, and nearly brought out three of those napoleons to pay that man.
human
Oh, uncle, said the boy huskily;
gpt
Yes, my boy, and that you had been helping them to escape.
human
Oh! ejaculated Rodd, and he darted to the window.
gpt
No, he gasped, with a sigh of relief.
human
He's gone.
gpt
Well, we knew he'd gone, boy.
human
Yes, uncle, but I was afraid that he'd stop talking to Mrs Champernowne, and she would tell him about their coming here. But he didn't stop, and he has gone right away.
gpt
Hah! ejaculated Uncle Paul.
human
Well, you see how near we have been to getting into trouble with the authorities; for of course they are very strict over such things as these. There, now I must write an important letter to send off in acknowledgment of that despatch; so you be off now for about half-an-hour, and go and play like a good boy.
gpt
Yes, uncle, said Rodd, rather grumpily; and he went slowly out, with the intention of getting somewhere on to the high ground where he could watch the sergeant's red coat till he was out of sight.
human
I wish Uncle Paul wouldn't talk to me like that, he muttered, as he went out of the garden gate.
gpt
Go out and play like a good boy! It does make me feel so wild! He'll be saying good little boy next, and I am past sixteen; and he wasn't doing it to tease me either, for he was quite serious, what with the prisoners, and the sergeant coming like that. Bother him! He looked at me as he went away just as if he suspected that I'd left the sandwiches and the fish where that poor fellow could get them. Here, I mustn't let him see that I am following him. I'll go round by that other track and get up behind those stones. Then I can see the whole way to the prison. Oh, he didn't know anything, or else he'd have spoken out. But that's the worst of doing what you oughtn't to. You always feel as if everybody suspects you. Well, I didn't want to do any harm, and Uncle Paul didn't think it was very wrong, in spite of his grumbling about the French. If he had he wouldn't have called me Pickle. It would have been Rodney, and his voice would have sounded very severe, for he can be when he likes. Spoiled and indulged me! That he hasn't!