timidly. We
had had so little reason hitherto to look for any neighborly kindness
at Mr. Horton's hands.

"Then ye'll go?" Mr. Horton insisted.

Jessie looked inquiringly at me. Her face was swollen and her eyes red
with crying.

"Yes, Jessie, do go. There's no knowing when Joe will be back, and
you--"

"Why, you'd better all come," Mr. Horton interposed again. "There's
two seats in the wagon--plenty of room. Here, where's the little
shaver's hat? Get your hat and climb in here, youngster."

Ralph, who was enterprising and fearless, obeyed without protest.
Peremptorily declining Mr. Horton's invitation to sit with him, he
took his station on the back seat, and from that vantage urged his
sisters to make haste.

"Come, 'Essie, us yeady."

Jessie ran in and got her hat, tossed her old coat over her shoulders
without stopping to put her arms in the sleeves, and, by aid of the
wheel, mounted to the seat beside Ralph. I, too, had put on my hat,
but waited to secure the windows, and then to get the door-key. Mr.
Horton, sitting silent on the front seat, observed my proceedings with
interest; "You're awful careful, ain't ye?" he said, at length, and,
in spite of his friendliness, it seemed to my sensitive fancy that
there was a sneer in his voice. However, that did not greatly trouble
me, for, from my slight speaking acquaintance with him before this, I
had come to believe that he never spoke without one, so I replied,
cheerfully:

"Yes; I guess I am careful enough."

I had locked the door, and was approaching the wagon when Mr. Horton
asked:

"Where's your dog--you've got one, ain't ye?"

"Guard? Yes, he's with Joe. Why?"

I stopped short as I suddenly realized what Joe's absence for the
night meant.

"Why, I can't go, Jessie; I shall have to milk both the cows
to-night!"

"Oh, that's true!" groaned Jessie. She started up.

"I'm sorry we have detained you at all, Mr. Horton, but Leslie can't
stay here alone all night, and the cows must be milked. Come, Ralph,
we must get out."

As Ralph slid obediently off his seat, Mr. Horton laid a detaining
hand on his arm. Ralph wriggled himself loose, looking defiant.

"Wait!" Mr. Horton urged. "It's too bad for you to have to keep on
sufferin' all night, Miss Jessie, when you might be helped."

"Oh, I know it!" Jessie moaned, sinking back on the seat and covering
her face with her hands.

"I've never had the toothache myself, but I know it must be dreadful.