in' that
way, you couldn't marry him, of course."

He would have risen now, and she detained him.

"That was not the reason," she said, in a low tone.

"Hey?" he bent toward her. "What?" he cried. "That wa'n't the reason,
you say? You do care for him?"

She was silent.

"Do you?" he repeated, gently. "And yet you sent him away. Why?"

She faltered, tried to speak, and then turned away. He put his arm about
her and stroked her hair.

"Don't you cry, dearie," he begged. "I won't bother you any more. You
can tell me some other time--if you want to. Or you needn't tell me
at all. It's all right; only don't cry. 'Cause if you do," with sudden
determination, "I shall cry, too; and, bein' as I ain't used to the
exercise, I may raise such a row that Annie'll send for the constable.
You wouldn't want that to happen, I know."

This unexpected announcement had the desired effect; Caroline laughed
hysterically and freed herself from his arm.

"I mustn't be so silly," she said. "I had made up my mind to tell you
everything, and I shall. My not caring for Mr. Pearson was not my reason
for refusing him. The reasons were two--you and Steve."

"Me and Steve? What in the world have we got to do with it?"

"Everything. He would marry me, poor as I am; and perhaps I--perhaps
I should say yes if things were different. Oh, there is no use my
deceiving you, or trying to deceive myself! I know I should say yes, and
be very, very happy. But I can't! and I won't! I _won't_!"

"But why? And where, for mercy's sake, do Steve and I come in?"

"Uncle Elisha, I suppose you think I have been perfectly satisfied to
let you take care of me and of my brother, and give us a home and all
that we needed and more. No doubt you thought me selfish enough to be
contented with that and go on as I am--as we are--living on your bounty.
You had reason to think so. But I have not been contented with that, nor
has Steve. He and I have made our plans, and we shall carry them out. He
will leave college in two years and go to work in earnest. Before that
time I shall be ready to teach. I have been studying with just that idea
in view."

"Good land! Why, no, you ain't! You've been studyin' to help me and
Annie run this house."

"That was only part of it--the smallest part. I haven't told you before,
Uncle, but one of the Domestic Science teachers at the University is a
girl I used to know slightly. She is going to be married next year, and,
if all goes