"Father," she said, "Richard Morton wishes to stay with us for a time, I have told him that he was welcome, and that thee would tell him so, too. I think thee will. Thee may ask him any questions thee pleases. I am satisfied."

"Thee is mistress of thy home, mother, and if thee's satisfied I am. Richard Morton, thee's welcome. Thee was wise to get mother on thy side."

"So I instinctively felt ever since I saw her at the meeting-house door."

"Perhaps mother gave thee a bit of a sermon?"

"She has given me two things that a man can't be a man without—hope and courage."

"Well, thee does kind of look as if thee had plucked up heart."

"You, too, are catching the infection of this home," Miss Warren said, in a low voice, as she stood near me.

"So soon? I feel that I shall need an exposure of several weeks. There is now but one obstacle in the way."

"Ah, yes! I remember what you said. It's time you explained."

"Not yet." And I turned and answered Adah's perplexed and frowning brow.