and as was his way , what he said he meant . Now among the lot was a little groom-boy , a very little groom indeed ; and he was the same who had ridden up the court , and told Tom to come to the Hall ; and he said - `` Twenty pounds or none , I will go down over Lewthwaite Crag , if it 's only for the poor boy 's sake . For he was as civil a spoken little chap as ever climbed a flue . '' So down over Lewthwaite Crag he went : a very smart groom he was at the top , and a very shabby one at the bottom ; for he tore his gaiters , and he tore his breeches , and he tore his jacket , and he burst his braces , and he burst his boots , and he lost his hat , and what was worst of all , he lost his shirt pin , which he prized very much , for it was gold , and he had won it in a raffle at Malton , and there was a figure at the top of it , of t ` ould mare , noble old Beeswing herself , as natural as life ; so it was a really severe loss : but he never saw anything of Tom . And all the while Sir John and the rest were riding round , full three miles to the right , and back again , to get into Vendale , and to the foot of the crag . When they came to the old dame 's school , all the children came out to see . And the old dame came out too ; and when she saw Sir John , she curtsied very low , for she was a tenant of his . `` Well , dame , and how are you ? '' said Sir John . `` Blessings on you as broad as your back , Harthover , '' says she -- she did n't call him Sir John , but only Harthover , for that is the fashion in the North country -- `` and welcome into Vendale : but you 're no hunting the fox this time of the year ? '' `` I am hunting , and strange game too , '' said he . `` Blessings on your heart , and what makes you look so sad the morn ? '' `` I 'm looking for a lost child , a chimney-sweep , that is run away . '' `` Oh , Harthover , Harthover , '' says she , `` ye were always a just man and a merciful ; and ye 'll no harm the poor little lad if I give you tidings of him ? '' `` Not I , not I , dame . I 'm afraid we hunted him out of the house all on a miserable mistake , and the hound has brought him to the top of Lewthwaite Crag , and -- '' Whereat the old dame broke out crying , without letting him finish his story . `` So he told me the truth after all , poor little dear ! Ah , first thoughts are best , and a body 's heart 'll guide them right , if they will but hearken to it . '' And then she told Sir John all . `` Bring the dog here , and lay him on , '' said Sir John , without another word , and he set his teeth very hard .
And the dog opened at once ; and went away at the back of the cottage , XXXXX the road , and over the meadow , and through a bit of alder copse ; and there , upon an alder stump , they saw Tom 's clothes lying .
after among as at for in of on over without