Aaron had improved greatly, now that poverty had loosened its grip upon them, and was helping his father fix up around the house, when a stranger came walking up to the door one afternoon.
"Hullo, Job! How are you?" he cried, reaching out his hand.
Tony, who was reading, looked up to see his father shaking hands with the red-whiskered man whom he had such good reason to remember.
The stranger nodded to Tony.
"So you're Job Loring's son, are you?" he said. "I tell you what it is, Job, that chap isn't very big," pointing to Tony, "but he's a boy to be proud of."
After this, he talked in low, earnest tones to Mr. Loring and Aaron, and soon the three started together in the direction of Ashville.
Father and son did not return till nearly dark, and then they came with quick, hopeful tread.
"Amanda," said Mr. Loring, eagerly, "what do you think? I've got every cent o' my pay."
Mrs. Loring stopped her work in surprise.
"I'm glad for Tony's sake," she replied. "Now he can have his money. He's been moping around the house like a shadow."