Arthur knew her, and only
laughed. A day of rejoicing, indeed, as the bishop had said. A day of
praise to God.
Charley had been whispering to his mother. He wanted to go to the
college schoolroom and surprise it. He was longing for a sight of his
old companions. That happy moment had been pictured in his thoughts
fifty times, as he lay in the boat; it was almost as much desired as
the return home. Charley bore no malice, and he was prepared to laugh
with them at the ghost.
"You do not appear strong enough to walk even so far as that," said
Mrs. Channing.
"Dear mamma, let me go! I could walk it, for that, if it were twice as
far."
"Yes, let him go," interposed Arthur, divining the feeling. "I will
help him along."
Charley's trencher--the very trencher found on the banks--was brought
forth, and he started with Arthur.
"Mind you bring him back safe this time!" called out Judy in a tone of
command, as she stood at the door to watch them along the Boundaries.
"Arthur," said the boy, "were they punished for playing me that ghost
trick?"
"They have not been punished yet; they are to be. The master waited to
see how things would turn out."
You may remember that Diggs, the boat-house keeper, when he took news
of Charles's supposed fate to the college school, entered it just in
time to interrupt an important ceremony, which was about to be
performed on the back of Pierce senior.
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