"Ambrose," she faltered, with two round tears rolling down her plump cheeks, "Brother Elias and Mr. Jones advise against it, but maybe you are thinkin' I ought to give that boy another chance."
The tall man pressed the soft hand and shook his head.
"No, Peachy, I ain't never felt in my life that I knowed what another person ought to do, but ef I've studied 'em long enough and close enough I know pretty well what they will do. I took that boy home to spend the night with me, but I'll be drivin' out to your place with him to-morrow toward sundown. I'm more'n anxious fer a little old-time chat with you."
CHAPTER XVI
THE ETERNAL FIRE
Uncle Ambrose poured the grace of forgiveness upon the pile of buckwheat cakes on his guest's plate next morning in the form of an over-supply of maple syrup, saying kindly: "Eat well, sonnie; we ain't goin' to talk over the events of last evening till you are feeling a little stronger in the stomach."
And though the boy crimsoned and looked sullen, he proved his recovery by his application to the cakes.
"I was an awful fool last night," he mumbled apologetically a few moments later.