him safe and sound, when he went in to look.
But did that make any difference in Josy's guilt, do you think?"

"No, mother," said Dwight. David, at the same time shook his head,
shewing that he entertained the same opinion.

"I think it did not," continued Madam Rachel, "and the farmer thought so
too; for he very properly punished Josy, and rewarded James."

Dwight seemed to assent to this rather reluctantly, as if he was almost
sorry that Caleb had not been proved guilty of telling a lie.

"Well, mother," he said presently, with a more lively tone, "at any rate
he disobeyed you; for you told him not to go near the brook where the
bank was high; and he did, or else he never would have fallen in."

"But I could not help it," said Caleb, "the cow frightened me so."

"Yes, you could help it," said Dwight; "for the cow did not come up and
push you; you walked back yourself, of your own accord."

Madam Rachel observed that Caleb appeared more pale and languid than
usual; and this new charge which Dwight brought against him, made him
more sad and melancholy still.

Madam Rachel accordingly then said she would not talk any more about it
then, for she must go in, and she asked Caleb whether he would rather go
in with her, or remain out there with the boys. He said he would rather
go in. So he took hold of Madam Rachel's hand, and walked along by her
side. David said he would bring his rocking-chair for him, when he and
Dwight should come in.

CHAPTER V.

THE STORY OF BLIND SAMUEL.

Madam Rachel went into the house, and sat down in her large
rocking-chair, by a window, in a back parlour that looked out upon a
little garden, and began to sew. Caleb played around a little while,
rather languidly, and at last came up to his grandmother, and leaning
upon her lap, asked her if she would not take him up, and rock him a
little. She could not help pitying him, he looked so feeble and sad; and
she accordingly laid down her work, and lifted him up,--he was not
heavy.

"Well Caleb, you have not asked me to take you up, and tell you a story
so, for a long time. This is the way I used to do when you were quite a
little boy; only then you used to kneel in my lap, and lay your head
upon my shoulder, so that my mouth was close to your ear. But you are
too big now."

Caleb smiled a little, for he was glad to find that he was growing big;
but it was rather a faint and sad smile.

"But I don't grow any stronger, grandmoth