“A little eerie, spirit-like thing! What a pity!” said Dr. Hardcastle, communing with himself; then, raising his voice, he said: “Well, you desire to accompany me, my boy? But how long have you been with Mr. Fig, and what are your obligations to him?”
“No obligations at all, sir. The truth is, seeing that from having been a help to aunty and Nettie in the time of their need I had got to be a hindrance in the way of their doing better than I could do for them, I went to Mr. Fig and told him that I would stand behind the counter and help about the store, for no more than my mere board—not even asking clothing—on conditions, it should be understood, I was to go to the West the very first chance that came. Well, Mr. Fig knew me, and how much I could do, and agreed to my plan; and so I came this morning, and have done a very hard day’s work, too—hauling several cartloads of freight from the brig up to the store, and unloading them, and storing them in, and waiting behind the counter the rest of the time. All that makes me feel well to-night. So, you see, sir, I owe Mr. Fig nothing but good friendship; and I am ready to set out with you to-morrow.”
“Be it so, then, my boy. And I am rejoiced to know that in thus following the bent of your inclinations, you abandon no duty. Will you join me to-night, or early to-morrow morning?”
“Early to-morrow morning, Dr. Hardcastle. You may pick me up at the south gate of the falling-field, behind Mount Calm—that will be directly in your road. I must go up to Mount Calm, to-night, to bid good-by to Aunt Joe and Nettie.”
“Very well, my boy. Be punctual.”
And having obtained the articles for which he came Dr. Hardcastle left the store.
That night Hugh Hutton went up to Mount Calm. He succeeded in obtaining entrance to his Aunt Joe’s rooms, but found, to his regret, that Nettie had some time before retired to bed, and was now fast asleep. He spent the night on a pallet in his aunt’s room, and in the morning made up his bundle to start. Miss Joe objected, cried, bemoaned her fate and Hugh’s, but finally consented to his departure; for Miss Joe believed in Hugh and had faith in Dr. Hardcastle, besides it would not sound so badly to tell the neighbors, by and by, that her nephew, Hugh Hutton, was “studying medicine underneath Dr. Hardcastle.” So Miss Joe gave him her blessing, and went to wake up Nettie, to bid him farewell, prophesying all the while that Nettie would “take on dreadful.” But Nettie did not “take on” at all; she threw herself joyously around Hugh’s neck, gave him a hearty hug and kiss, and declared, that with his bundle across his shoulder he was Jack the Giant-Killer, going to seek his fortune; and that he must let her know about every giant he killed, and every enchanted lady he freed, and every magician’s castle he took, and ever beautiful princess that loved him. And then she pulled the scarlet worsted comforter from her neck and wound it around Hugh’s throat, tucking the ends into his coat breast, and bid him good-by. Hugh went to the door, turned to take a last look, impulsively darted back, clasped his old aunty, and then Nettie, in a last embrace, sprung from the room, and was gone. A rapid walk brought him to the spot where he found Dr. Hardcastle, just arrived in his carryall, waiting for him, and exclaiming:
“Just in time, my boy—and very welcome. Jump in! All right!”
CHAPTER XXXIII.
ELSIE IN THE LOG CABIN.
It was a lodge of ample size,