I'm going home to my mother;" and as he spoke he endeavoured to wrest himself from Robberts' grasp.

"Put him in here," said Mrs.Thomas; "it would never do to let him go, for he will run home with some distressing tale of ill-treatment; no, we must keep him until I can send for his mother--put him in here." Much to Mrs.Morton's disgust, Charlie was bundled by Robberts into the bottom of the carriage, where he sat listening to the scolding of Mrs.
Thomas and her daughter until they arrived at home.

He remained in disgrace for several days after this adventure; but as Mrs.Thomas well knew that she could not readily fill his place with another, she made a virtue of necessity, and kindly looked over this first offence.
The situation was, however, growing more and more intolerable.

Aunt Rachel and he had daily skirmishes, in which he was very frequently worsted.

He had held several hurried consultations with Kinch through the grating of the cellar window, and was greatly cheered and stimulated in the plans he intended to pursue by the advice and sympathy of his devoted friend.