“Why, bless your heart, my boy, I wouldn’t think of chargin’ anything for that,” the little woman said, almost sharply.
“But we must pay our way, you know, though I ain’t got such a dreadful pile of money. I don’t want folks to think we’re regular tramps.”
“You needn’t fear anything of that kind yet a while, but if it would make you feel more comfortable in mind to do something toward payin’ for the food which has been freely given, you may try your hand at clearin’ up the barn. Gladys an’ I aim to keep it cleanly; but even at the best it doesn’t look as I would like to see it.”
Seth sat about this task with alacrity, although not knowing exactly what ought to be done; but the boy who is willing to work and eager to please will generally succeed in his efforts, even though he be ignorant as to the proper method.
It was while working at that end of the barn nearest the house at a time when Aunt Hannah and Gladys were standing at the open window washing the breakfast dishes, that he overheard, without absolutely intending to do so, a certain conversation not meant for his ears.
It is true he had no right to listen, and also true that the hum of voices came to his ears several moments before he paid any attention whatsoever, or made an effort to distinguish the words.
Then that which he heard literally forced him to listen for more.
It was Aunt Hannah who said, evidently in reply to a suggestion from Gladys:
“It is a pity and a shame to see a child like that poor little lame boy wandering about the country trying to find work, when he isn’t fitted for anything of the kind. But how could we give him a home here, my dear?”
“I am sure it wouldn’t cost you anything, Aunt Hannah. With three spare rooms in the house and hardly ever a visitor to use one of them, why couldn’t he have a bed here?”