"Reuben—what are you about?"
"Putting these sticks out of the way, Miss Faith"—with a half laugh then.
"I shall tell Mr. Linden of you," (gravely.)
"I didn't mean you should have a chance, Miss Faith."
"Now you are caught and found—do you know what your punishment will be?"
Reuben looked up again, but did not venture to guess.
"You will be obliged to come in and take a cup of coffee with me every morning."
"O that's not necessary!" Reuben said with a relieved face,—"thank you very much, Miss Faith."
"It is necessary," said Faith gravely;—"and you are not to thank me for what you don't like."
"It was partly for what I do like, ma'am," said Reuben softly pitching up a stick of hickory.