Chapter XVII: John Monday Determines to Turn Over a New Leaf

WHEN Mr. Harding joined Mousey and John Monday at the supper-table that same Sunday night his countenance was so expressive of displeasure that the young folks wondered what could have happened during the evening to put him out. He had had a neighbour in to spend an hour with him—a naval pensioner, who lodged over a baker's shop on the opposite side of the street, and whose sole business, nowadays, appeared to be watching the doings of other people. As a rule, Mr. Harding found him an agreeable companion, but to-night the old busy-body had given him information which had greatly displeased him.

The supper proceeded almost in silence at first; but presently Mr. Harding turned sharply upon his assistant, and asked—

"What have you been doing this evening?"

John Monday, taken by surprise at the question, grew very red, and looked as guilty as though he had been caught in the act of doing something wrong.

"I—I—I've been to church," he stammered.

Mr. Harding scrutinised him severely, and came to the conclusion that he had told an untruth.

"I don't believe you," he said; adding, with a sneer, "You must think of a more likely tale than that if you want me to believe it."

"It's true!" the boy declared, with rising passion. "I'm not telling a lie! I'm not!"

"Oh, Cousin Robert, how can you think John has not spoken the truth?" Mousey interposed quickly, turning her eyes reproachfully upon the old man. "Indeed, he was at church to-night—at the mission chapel. I saw him there; and he walked home with Maria and me afterwards."

Mr. Harding appeared considerably taken aback on hearing this; but he darted a suspicious glance at his assistant, as he demanded—

"What made you grow so red, and look so embarrassed, when I questioned you as to where you had been? If you were always so harmlessly employed as you were to-night it would be better for you."

"John is going to join Mr. Bradley's Bible class, too," Mousey put in; "he saw Mr. Bradley before church this evening."

"Are you going to become a reformed character?" inquired the old man, satirically, of John Monday. "What is the meaning of this sudden change, eh?"

The boy muttered something under his breath—what, Mousey did not hear, but his face was so full of mortification that the little girl's heart was touched with pity for him, and she immediately took up arms in his defence. Surely Cousin Robert could not mind John's going to church, or joining Mr. Bradley's Bible class?

"You know nothing about it, child," he told her, not unkindly. "I respect Mr. Bradley, but, unless I am much mistaken, he is deceived in John Monday's character." He turned to the boy again. "Is it true, or not, that you have learnt to bet and gamble? I have been hearing stories of you to-night which have annoyed me greatly. Who's the young man whom you have been making your boon companion lately?"

"I—I don't know," John Monday began; then, meeting his master's stern gaze, he added, "I know his name, but not where he came from, or anything else about him. He is called Herbert Hambly."

"Indeed!"

"I am not going to have anything more to do with him."

"Since when have you come to that determination?"

"Since yesterday, sir."

"I am informed that whilst you were in this young man's company you made a bet on a horse-race. Did you win or lose?"

"I lost."

"Where did you get the money you lost?"

"It was the half-crown Mr. Dawson gave me," John Monday answered in a low, shamed voice, whilst Mousey looked shocked and frightened; "I don't know what he would think of me if he knew."

"Nor do I," Mr. Harding agreed; "but I know what I think. Of all the ungrateful, worthless boys that have come in my way, you are the worst! What is this Herbert Hambly's business?"

"I don't know. He has lodgings in the town; but I don't fancy he does any work."

"Humph! An idle young ne'er-do-well! How did you make his acquaintance?"

"He came into the shop one day and asked me to regulate his watch."

"And stuck about talking to you, I suppose? And after that he came again and again, but always when I was out of the way? Yes, I thought so!"

There was a short silence, then Mr. Harding spoke again.

"Listen to me, John Monday," he said impressively. "I forbid you to have anything to do with this Herbert Hambly for the future. Do you understand, or, what is more to the point, do you mean to obey me?"

"Yes, sir."

"And now I'll give you a few words of advice, though perhaps I might as well hold my tongue for all the heed you'll take of what I say. I have no doubt this young man induced you to bet; but if you follow in the way you have commenced, you will come to a bad end. No good ever came of betting. How you could have gone to Mr. Bradley and suggested joining his Bible class when you know he'd never countenance such behaviour as yours, I cannot imagine!"

"I never mean to bet any more," John Monday declared, "and I told Mr. Bradley what I had done, and he—he was very kind. He said what I don't think I shall ever forget, and he's going to be my friend. I don't intend to tell lies or deceive you any longer," he continued, looking his master full in the face. "I mean what I say, sir; I don't suppose you'll believe it, but you'll see I'll keep my word!"

For a minute Mr. Harding was too astounded to make any reply. He stared at his assistant as though he imagined the lad had taken leave of his senses.

"What am I to understand by this outburst?" he asked at length in his most disagreeable tone.

John Monday became suddenly abashed; and it was Mousey who, noticing his confusion, made haste to answer for him.

"He means that he is sorry for having behaved badly," she said in her simple, direct way, "and that he is going to turn over a new leaf. Isn't that what you mean, John?"

"Yes," he answered in a low voice, "that's it."

"Then I hope for the future you will not waste your time—my time, rather—in gossiping with that idle young man," Mr. Harding told his assistant severely. "I should be very glad to find I could trust you, for when I'm away, and you're in charge of the shop, I always have a feeling that you may be neglecting your duty."

"I never will again, sir," the boy responded earnestly.

"Don't make rash promises."

"But you forgive him, don't you, Cousin Robert?" Mousey pleaded.

"Oh, yes," he answered, "I forgive him.'

"Thank you, sir," John Monday exclaimed gratefully, whilst Mousey left her chair, and going to the old man's side, put her arms around his neck, and kissed his withered cheek with real affection.

He returned the caress, and asked if she was going to read to him, to which she replied she would willingly. So after Maria had cleared away the supper-things, the little girl fetched her Bible, and commenced the fourth chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians.

John Monday sat with bowed head listening attentively, whilst the old man watched Mousey as though it was a pleasure to him to look on her gentle, earnest face.

"'Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:'"

"'And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.'" The child's sweet voice ceased, and there was silence for many minutes; at last Mr. Harding spoke in a strangely gentle tone for him.

"Thank you, my dear; it is a treat to hear you read. Now, don't you think it's time for you to go to bed?"

She agreed, and, after bidding him and John Monday good-night, left the room. The old man turned to his assistant.

"John," he said, "you and I have lived under the same roof for a good while now, but I don't believe we've learnt to understand each other for all that. Do you really mean that from this day you intend to serve me better?"

"Yes, sir," the boy responded earnestly.

"That being the case, we'll let bygones be bygones. I'm glad you have joined Mr. Bradley's Bible class, and I'm pleased to think he takes an interest in you. I fear you've been in bad company lately. What do you imagine made this Herbert Hambly seek your society, eh?"

"I really don't know, sir."

"He must have had a motive. He seems to be rather a mysterious personage."

John Monday made no reply. Herbert Hambly's conversation had been mostly about Mr. Harding—his miserly ways, and reputed wealth. The boy did not dare tell that he had given a good bit of information about his master, so he held his peace, though he felt terribly uneasy in his mind.

"Well, well," Mr. Harding said, seeing his assistant's evident embarrassment. "Understand, you are to have nothing more to do with the young man; and never let me hear of your betting again. Now, it's time for you to go to bed, too. Good-night."

"Good-night, sir," the boy answered; and, as he turned to leave the room, he added the assurance, "I really do mean to turn over a new leaf!"