ills? John can't git anybody to touch it, though he's been tryin'
hard. It's too fer from the river. I do feel sorry fer John. He's a
decent feller, an' if he could only git that notion about the coal out
of his head he might be good fer something. He's not much at farmin'."

"And to think of him getting married, Sam'l! How on earth will he
support a wife? It's as much as he and his mother can do to get along
as it is, though many think they are well off. But, then, that's none
of our business. He can marry anyone he likes for all I care. I only
want to know what she looks like, and where she comes from. If she's
to be our neighbour, I want to find out all I can about her. So, hurry
up and get ready. I'll help Flo with the dishes."

CHAPTER XVIII

HARD LUCK

As the Tobins drew near the Hampton home, they heard the sound of music
accompanied by singing. They stopped at the foot of the verandah steps
and listened. The blind of the parlour window was up, and they could
see Mrs. Hampton at the piano, with John and the fair visitor standing
by her side. It was an old familiar song they were singing, and it
sounded especially sweet to the three listeners outside.

"Say, I haven't heard anything like that fer years," the captain
remarked. "It strikes me jist right. Let's stay here."

"We shall do no such thing," his wife replied. "It's not good manners."

"Isn't she pretty?" Flo whispered. "And how happy she and John seem to
be."

Mrs. Tobin made no reply, but led the way up the steps, knocked at the
door, opened it and walked in. This was her usual custom, and Mrs.
Hampton always did the same when she visited the Tobins. The music and
singing suddenly ceased as the visitors entered, and an expression of
annoyance swept for an instant over John's face as he turned and saw
Mrs. Tobin standing in the doorway.

"Excuse us for interrupting you," the latter began, "but we thought
we'd make a neighbourly call to-night since Sam'l's home. We're all
anxious to meet your company."

Mrs. Hampton had now left the piano and was advancing to meet her
neighbours. She, too, was annoyed, for she knew only too well how Mrs.
Tobin would make every effort to ferret out the secret of Miss
Randall's presence. But as they had come, she had to make the best of
it.

"It is thoughtful of you to come over," she replied. "We were enjoying
a little music. This is Miss Bean, Mrs. Tobin. I feel sure you will