“You see we had to leave mighty sudden, ’cause——”
Seth checked himself; he had been very near to explaining exactly why he left New York so unceremoniously. Perhaps but for the “prayers before breakfast” he might have told this kindly faced little woman all his troubles; now, however, he did not care to do so, believing she would consider he had committed a great crime in passing a lead nickel, even though unwittingly.
Neither was he willing to tell so good a woman an absolute untruth, and therefore held his peace; but the flush which had come into his cheeks was ample proof to his hostess that in his life was something which caused shame.
Aunt Hannah looked at him for an instant, and then as if realizing that the scrutiny might cause him uneasiness, turned her eyes away as she asked in a low tone:
“Do you believe it would be possible for you to find such work in the country as would support you and the dog?”
“I don’t know anything about it, ’cause you see I never was in the country before,” Seth replied, decidedly relieved by this change in the subject of conversation. “Pip Smith thought there was milk an’ pies layin’ ’round to be picked up by anybody, an’ accordin’ to his talk it seemed as if a feller might squeak along somehow. If I could always have such a bed as I got last night, the rest of it wouldn’t trouble a great deal.”
“But you slept in the barn!” Gladys cried.
“Yes; it was nicer than any room Mother Hyde’s got. Don’t boys like me do something to earn money out this way?”
“The farmers’ sons find employment enough ’round home; but I don’t think you would be able to earn very much, my boy.”
“I might strike something,” Seth said reflectively. “At any rate, Snip an’ I’ll have to keep movin’.”