“Wonder whether dad met marm on the way?” said Abner, musing.
By this time, Mr. Barton had entered the yard, and caught sight of his son and Herbert.
“Abner,” said he, in a thick voice, “who's that boy?”
“Then he didn't meet marm,” thought Abner. “He's a boy that's goin' to board with us, dad,” he answered.
“You don't say! Glad to make your acquaintance, boy,” he said, straightening up.
“Thank you, sir,” answered Herbert, faintly.
CHAPTER XXX — A MODEL HOUSEHOLD
“When did you come?” asked Barton, steadying himself against a tree.
“Half an hour ago,” answered Abner, for Herbert was gazing, with a repulsion he found it difficult to conceal, at Barton, whose flushed face and thick utterance indicated his condition very clearly.