I have only six months longer, for Easter is the time when Mr.Simmonds said that I should be old enough, and he will write to the lord lieutenant, and I suppose that in three months after that I should get my commission." "That is right, Ned.

I am exceedingly glad you have been able to take my view of the matter.

I was afraid you were bent upon spoiling your life, and I am heartily glad that you have been able to see the matter in a different light." A day or two afterward Ned took an opportunity of telling his mother that he intended at Easter to remind Mr.Simmonds of his promise to apply for a commission for him; and had he before had any lingering doubt that the decision was a wise one it would have been dissipated by the evident satisfaction and relief with which the news was received; nevertheless, he could not help a feeling of mortification at seeing in his mother's face the gladness which the prospect of his leaving occasioned her.
It was some time since Ned had seen his friend Bill Swinton, for Bill was now regularly at work in Mr.Mulready's factory and was only to be found at home in the evening, and Ned had been in no humor for going out.

He now, however, felt inclined for a friendly talk again, and the next Sunday afternoon he started for Varley.
"Well, Maister Ned," Bill said as he hurried to the door in answer to his knock, "it be a long time surely sin oi saw thee last--well nigh six months, I should say." "It is a long time, Bill, but I haven't been up to anything, even to coming up here.

Put on your cap and we will go for a walk across the moors together." In a few seconds Bill joined him, and they soon left the village behind.
"Oi thought as how thou didn't feel oop to talking loike, Moister Ned.
Oi heared tell as how thou did'st not get on well wi' Foxey; he be a roight down bad un, he be; it were the talk of the place as how you gived him a clout atween t' eyes, and oi laughed rarely to myself when oi seed him come through t' mill wi' black and blue all round 'em.