PAT, however, continued in his old employment. He was entirely¹ different from Dilly, who was a favorite with all the children, on account of her loving heart and cheerful temper. Pat was both selfish and sullen². He was ready to quarrel at the least offence of his companions. When the rude boys saw him come alone to the field, and select a spot for himself to clear, they said, "Now for some fun!"

 

They watched their chance when he had made a pile of coal and another of rags, and came up toward him as if for a friendly chat. Suddenly they threw themselves down, thus overturning all his work and obliging him to commence again.

 

Pat sprang to his feet and doubled his fist, screaming with anger.

 

"Come, now, be still, will ye?" cried one of them. "What harm have we done ye, anyhow?" At the same time he winked³ to his companions, to carry on the sport.

 

Pat saw the glance. He flew at the lad; and the affair might have become serious, had not an older man who was quietly at work near by interfered⁴. He had witnessed the whole proceedings⁵, and told the boys they had no business with Pat's lot, any way.

 

He separated them with some difficulty, and then returned to his work.

 

Pat had been pleased when his father told him he might work alone, and have all he could earn; but now he found it not so pleasant. Though he would not have confessed it, he missed Dilly's cheerful voice and sunny smile. The morning seemed very long, and by the time he sat down to eat a crust of bread which he had brought for his dinner, he had half determined⁶ to go home.

 

A few days before this, a party of ladies and gentlemen came into the field to watch the men, women, and children at their work. They stopped near the lot his father had selected and began to talk with a couple who were busily engaged in sorting rags. Pat had been near enough to hear what was said.

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