ir. But then you know
it's in the Bible, and I've made up my mind not to do it."

"Ah, I begin to understand. So you came up here to-night for the purpose
of delivering a temperance lecture for my benefit. That was kind,
certainly, and I am all ready to listen. Proceed."

Never was sarcasm more entirely lost. Tode was as bright and sharp as
ever, and had never been taught to be respectful.

"No, sir," he answered, promptly, "I didn't come for that at all. I came
to tell you that I had got to quit your business; but if you want to
hear a temperance lecture there's Habakkuk; he can do it better than
anybody _I_ know of."

Mr. Hastings' dignity broke once more into laughter.

"Well, Tode," he said at last, "I'm sorry you're such a simpleton. I had
a higher opinion of your sharpness. I think Mr. Roberts meant to do well
by you. Who has been filling your head with these foolish ideas?"

"Habakkuk has, sir. Only one who has said a word."

There was no sort of use in talking to Tode. Mr. Hastings seemed
desirous of cutting the interview short.

"Very well," he said, "I don't see but you have taken matters entirely
into your own hands. What do you want of me?"

"Nothing, sir, only I--" And here Tode almost broke down; a mist came
suddenly before his eyes, and his voice seemed to slip away from him.
The poor boy felt himself swinging adrift from the only one to whom he
had ever seemed to belong. A very soft, tender feeling had sprung up in
his heart for this rich man. It had been pleasant to meet him on the
street and think, "I belong to him." The feeling was new to the
friendless, worse than orphan boy, and he had taken great pride and
pleasure in it; so now he choked, and his face grew red as at last he
stammered:

"I--I like you, and--" Then another pause.

Mr. Hastings bowed.

"That is very kind, certainly. What then?"

"Would you let me bring up the mail for you evenings just the same? I
wouldn't want no pay, and I'd like to keep doing it for you."

Mr. Hastings shook his head.

"Oh no, I wouldn't trouble a man of your position for the world. Jim, or
some other _boy_, will answer my purpose very well. Since you choose to
cut yourself aloof from me when I was willing to befriend you, why you
must abide by your intentions, and not hang around after me in any way."

Tode's eyes flashed.

"I don't _want_ to hang around you," he began as he turned to go. Then
he stopped again; he was leaving the house for th