Lady Bassett moaned, and went into
worse hysterics, with nobody near her but Reginald.
That worthy, never having seen a lady in hysterics, and not being
hardened at all points, uttered a sympathetic howl, and flung his arms
round her neck. "Oh! oh! oh! Don't cry, mamma."
Lady Bassett shuddered at his touch, but did not repel him.
"I'll find him for you," said the boy, "if you will leave off crying."
She stared in his face a moment, and then went on as before.
"Mamma," said he, getting impatient, "do listen to me. I'll find him
easy enough, if you will only listen."
"You! you!" and she stared wildly at him.
"Ay, I know a sight more than the fools about here. I'm a poacher. Just
you put me on to his track. I'll soon run into him, if he is above
ground."
"A child like you!" cried Lady Bassett; "how can you do that?" and she
began to wring her hands again.
"I'll show you," said the boy, getting very impatient, "if you will
just leave off crying like a great baby, and come to any place you like
where he has been to-day and left a mark--"
"Ah!" cried Lady Bassett.
"I'm a poacher," repeated Reginald, quite proudly; "you forget that."
"Come with me," cried Lady Bassett, starting up. She whipped on her
bonnet, and ran with him down the lawn.
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