Aunt Dorcas gazed at Joe steadily during several seconds, and then said, in a decided tone:
"I don't understand what you have tried to tell me; but it is certain, Joseph Potter, that you sha'n't leave my house while you are wounded so seriously."
"I ain't wounded, aunt Dorcas, an' I'm as well able to go this minute as I was when I came."
"It doesn't make any difference whether you are or not. I sha'n't allow you to step your foot off of these premises until I know more about this affair. It is all a mistake from beginning to end; there can be no question of that, and I'll get at the bottom of it before we are very much older. Now go straight to bed, and mind what I told you about getting up in the morning."
Aunt Dorcas pulled the bandages apart sufficiently to admit of her kissing Joe on the lips, and then, putting the lamp in his hand, she led him to the stairway.
"You're an awful good woman, aunt Dorcas, an' some day I'll be able to do more than tell you so."
"Good night, my boy. Put this matter entirely out of your mind and go to sleep."
When Joe gained the chamber once more, it was as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart.
The confession which caused him so much anxiety had been made, and, instead of reproaching him for having come to her home, aunt Dorcas was the same kindly, Christianlike woman as when he first saw her.
Master Plummer, who had slept peacefully during all the adventures of the night, was disturbed by the light of the lamp, as it shone full in his face, and opening his eyes, he said, petulantly: