"I don't think I have. I was taught to read it when I was young, but it is many a day since I saw the inside of mine."
"But won't you see the inside of it now, Jem? Do!" said Eben, with affectionate earnestness. "I am only a boy, but I know enough to be sure that there is no need of your going to the devil, as you say, if only you will choose to go the other way. I am sure of it—as sure as that, that is the hotel at the Springs."
"There is the train just coming up, too," said Jem. "It will be a tight jump, but I guess we will catch it. Come, old lady, do your best."
The mare seemed to understand the urgency of the case, for she flew like the winds. Just as they turned the corner Jem said, cheerfully:
"There! You'll be in time to jump on if you're spry. I say, Eben, when you say your prayers just put in a word for me, will you?"
"Indeed I will, Jem. Thank you ever so much."
"I'm the one to thank you, I reckon. There! Don't stop."
The bell had just sounded as Eben jumped on the last car.
"I shall get carried off as sure as the world," he said to himself as he walked through the train, "but I don't care. I can stop at the next station. Where is Mr. Antis, I wonder?"
He went on through all the cars without finding the man he sought till he came to the drawing-room car, when the young coloured person in charge rather demurred as to his entering.