It was toward this humble home that Will Carden, after being dismissed by Mrs. Williams, directed his steps on that bright Saturday forenoon. He tried hard to bear up under the humiliation he had suffered; but there was no one near to see him and for a few minutes he gave way to the tears that would force themselves into his eyes, and let them flow unrestrained. Yet he kept on his way, with bent head and stooping shoulders, a very different boy from the merry, light hearted youth who had carried the heavy basket to the big house only an hour ago.
Suddenly, to the eyes blurred with tears, a huge, dark form loomed up in the road just ahead of him. Will hastily wiped away the unmanly drops and tried to whistle. Someone was coming, and whoever it was must not know he had been guilty of crying. Also he shifted his path to the edge of the road; but the other did the same, and the boy stopped abruptly with the knowledge that he had been purposely halted.
Then he glanced timidly up and saw a round, bearded face and two shrewd but kindly eyes that were looking at him from beneath a slouched felt hat.
“Hello, Doctor,” he said, letting his dismal whistle die away, and starting to pass round the stalwart form before him.
But Dr. Meigs laid a heavy hand on the boy’s shoulder, and made him face round again.
“What’s up, Will?”
The voice was big and full, yet gentle as it was commanding.
“Noth’n, Doctor.”
“Look here; you’re telling whoppers, young man. Lift up your head.”
Will obeyed.