"Not to-night. I invited him, but he was afraid to accept the invitation, for fear of being punished."
"Is his uncle so severe, then?"
"I suspect he beats Sam, though Sam doesn't like to own it."
"And this man, this cruel tyrant, wants to marry me," thought Mrs. Burton, shuddering.
Two days later Sam chanced to be in the house with the two boys, when Mrs. Burton passed through the room, and greeted him pleasantly.
"When is your birthday?" she asked.
"Last week—Thursday—ma'am."
"How old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"Did you receive a birthday present?"