d very long at home after the boys left, but had
returned to her duties with the madame, who doubtless paid extravagant
wages for her services.

She smiled broadly at sight of them.

"I sure is glad to see yuh agin, bofe ob yous," she said. "I done
tells de missus all 'bout hit, and she says as how it was on'y what
she'd spect of dat young Mistah Morgan."

"Thank you for telling me that, Sarah," Hugh went on to say; "it's
pleasant to know some one thinks well of you. Is Mrs. Pangborn at
leisure? I hope she isn't taking a nap just now?"

"Deedy she ain't dat, suh; she's on'y readin' in de library. An' she
be mighty glad tuh see yous bofe."

So she led the way along the wide hall, to usher the boys into the
commodious library. Bookcases lined the walls, and it seemed to be an
ideal place, where a student might enjoy himself very much indeed.
Just then, however, there were several sewing machines shoved aside,
and much evidence to the effect that on weekdays this same library
might be a beehive of industry, with women chattering as they sewed.

The old lady looked surprised at seeing them, but the welcoming smile
and the extended hand were evidence that she was not displeased.

"I've taken the liberty of fetching my chum, Thad Stevens, around to
see you, Mrs. Pangborn," Hugh was saying as he sat down. "You've heard
me talk of him more than a few times; and even expressed the wish that
I might introduce him to you. He's interested in nearly everything
that concerns me, and we seem to work together like a well-ordered
team, even if we do have an occasional little spat, which is to be
expected."

Madame Pangborn loved boys, as has been said before. She understood
them wonderfully well, too, considering that she had never had one of
her own. So she laughed at what Hugh said.

"I'm doubly glad you have dropped in to see me today, Hugh," she told
him, "for more reasons than one. In the first place, I want to hear at
first hand just what did happen out there at that terrible mill-pond;
and how you managed to save that little boy of my Sarah from drowning.
He sometimes comes here with her to spend a part of a day, and I like
to talk with him, he seems so original, so bright, and so curious about
everything I possess, too."

"Oh! it didn't amount to very much, so far as we were concerned, I
mean," Hugh expostulated; "but since Sarah has told you about it, I
suppose I might as well spin the whole story. We con