nds.
Fairbanks is _always_ glad to see you. He thinks Squire Fabens about
east, and his family too! He would feel more freedom to visit you, if
you would call on him oftener. I never saw a man who thought more of
seeing his friends. And so far from home as we are, you must remember
that our friends here stand in the place of the absent and dear."

Frisbie departed, and Fabens expressed the liking he had taken to the
fellow, and the increased esteem he must confess for Fairbanks.

"I am sure," said Fanny, laying aside her work, but not her smiles,
that outshone the walnut fire, nor that presence of blissful life, that
filled up all the warm room; "I am sure, there cannot be much deception
in them. We would detect it in some way, if there was."

"Do you esteem either of them as you do George Ludlow?" asked Mrs.
Fabens.

"No, I do not in all respects," answered Fanny. "My esteem for him, as
for them, increases. And the way the Faddle girls treat George, makes
me think all the more of him, and desire to make him happy. Then I
admire his sentiments and tastes, and his love of labor. Still I would
be glad to number Mr. Fairbanks and Mr. Frisbie among my friends. Was
the man named Lowry or Ludry that he said married his teacher? It
sounded so much like Ludlow, it startled me."

"It was Lownsly, Lowry, or something like it," answered Mrs.
Fabens.--"There are some things which seem fair, and even generous in
them, it is true. And Fairbanks has a way of looking very meek and
innocent; and one of two things is certain: he must be unacquainted
with the world, and incapable of a thought of deception, or else he is
an arch and dissembling rogue. But there are some expressions about
his eyes that I cannot like; and I think there is a little blarney
about them both. I may be wrong; I hope I am, and if I am, that I may
be forgiven. It is unpleasant to be haunted by these suspicions. But
there, I could help breathing as well."

Upon this, Fabens went to his barn to look after his cattle and see if
any would be likely to suffer in the storm; and finding all in
comfortable quarters, he returned, saying, "I wish I could know that
everybody in the world had as happy a home as we have to-night. I
could then rest more warmly and sweetly. It is bitter cold night, and
I fear many will suffer. I am glad I made the wood-bee for poor
Troffater. His family can have the comfort of warm fires this winter.
The neighbors turne