"How did you know this?—and whose head has he turned, Reuben? Not yours?"
"They'd have to turn my heart, Miss Faith," was Reuben's subdued answer. Then he looked up and listened—hearing a step he well knew. Nor that alone, for a few low notes of a sweet hymn tune, seemed to say there were pleasant thoughts within reach of at least one person. Then Reuben broke forth.
"They can't keep him out of heaven, anyway!—nor me, neither," he added softly. But he ran down the steps and out of the gate, passing his teacher with only a bow; and once beyond the fence, Reuben's head dropped in his hands.
"Reuben! I want you!"—said Mr. Linden. But Reuben was out of sight.
Faith stood between the house and the gate.
"Where is he? can't you make him hear? I want that boy!" she said.
"I can run after him—— with doubtful success."
"The foolish fellow brought these for you, Mr. Linden," said Faith, giving the lilies where they belonged.
"Complimentary, Miss Faith!" said Mr. Linden, taking the lilies and smelling them gravely.
"He is," said Faith, "and you speak as if I wasn't."
"Will it redeem my character—or Reuben's—if I bestow the lilies upon you, Miss Faith? I think that was their destination."