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"I don't know about that," said David. "Don't you? Never heard a doubt on that subject expressed before. But anyhow, it's jolly to have you along, Davy. Why you've never seen Shadywalk, nor Briery Bank." Matilda smiled a very bright and expressive smile at David which said, "nor Mr. Richmond either."
"I am glad, because I like the driving," said Norton. "It is better than all the Central Parks in the world. And the fishing is jolly, too; when you have good sport. It's jolly altogether, at Shadywalk." "But Norton, the house is shut up," said Matilda. "What about it?" "What will you do? you can't manage all alone." "Go to Kepple's. That's easy." "How long will you stay?" "Two or three days.
Matilda was glad to have the cars move on, since she could get no nearer than visions. Then it grew dark; and she sat musing and dreaming pleasant dreams, till the station of Shadywalk was whistled for. The old omnibus was in waiting, as usual, and it happened that no other passenger occupied it to-night except their three selves and one cosy old lady, who "didn't count," Norton said.
Matilda looked at him inquiringly. "I must find it out by myself," he said; and walked to the door. "David!" cried Matilda, "shall I call you when dinner is ready?" "No, don't. I don't want dinner. And I can't go with you to look up Norton. Can you do without me?" Matilda assured him of that, feeling quite at home in Shadywalk.
So it was not till she awoke in the morning that she could think over her happiness. It was early yet; the sunbeams striking the old cream coloured tower of the church and glittering on the pine leaves here and there. How delicious it was! The spring light on the old things that she loved, and the peaceful Shadywalk stillness after New York's bustle and roar. And David Bartholomew in Mr.
Easter fell this year rather late in April; late, that is, for Easter. Schools were dismissed on Thursday; and Thursday afternoon Matilda and Norton were to take the cars for Shadywalk. She could not say another word to David, or about him; she made her happy preparations with a secret unsatisfied longing running through them all.
Richmond; and hand in hand he and Matilda went down the street, to the corner. Just opposite, a little below, was the Shadywalk house of public entertainment. Nobody knew David Bartholomew there by name. But in answer to Mr. Richmond's enquiries and description of him, the barkeeper stated that such a young gentleman had certainly come there the day before and was in Room No. 45.
"Go up to Shadywalk, you mean, to take the child there?" "Yes." "O, David, would you! And could you?" "I don't see any other way." "But school? will you miss a day?" "Can't do that; and can't even give Saturday, so near the end of term. I'll manage it." "How, David?" "Go up after school some day, and take a night train down." "Is Josh I mean, has he any clothes fit to travel in?"
"I am sure of that; but I think he means that we should help one another. What can I do, that I am not doing?" Matilda thought a little, and then went upstairs and fetched the card of covenant and work of the old Band at Shadywalk. She put it in David's hands, and he studied it with great interest. "There is help in this," he said. "There are things here I never thought of.
"I s'pect a great deal could happen there, and the world not know," the housekeeper went on. "Much more than what it does know," said Norton. "I allays think sich must be poor kind o' places. Corners that the world can't see into ain't healthy. Now I like a place like Shadywalk, that you know all through; and if there's something wrong, why it has a chance to get mended.
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