Everyone, including the servants, went to the front of the manor house to see Tom on his way. Lady Dashwood’s hanky wasn’t only wet from the chewing now, but also from her tears. “Be brave and true, Tom,” she said, because that’s the sort of thing mothers said to sons going off to become pages. Tom’s father gave him a hug, then Able Morris leaned forward on his huge horse, grabbed him by the hand and yanked him up onto the back of the beast. Tom now sat behind him. Tom secretly hoped that Able Morris didn’t ride too fast because there was no way that he could put his arms around the man’s waist to hold on. It was far too wide! Able Morris turned his head (squishy hat and all) to look at Tom. “It is time to leave,
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