"I know it, lad," answered Joe, with a quiet smile, in

which there was a dash of something that implied he

knew more than he chose to express.

Dick felt surprised, but he continued, "I wonder what

it could have bin. I never felt so before."

"'Twas home-sickness, boy," returned Joe.

"How d'ye know that?"

"The same way as how I know most things--by

experience an' obsarvation. I've bin home-sick myself

once, but it was long, long agone."