gage shouldn't be left on the sidewalk, Susanna. Get Moses to
help you bring it in. If a tramp should happen to pass he might make off
with it."

By which quiet rejoinder Kate understood that she had been "accepted;"
also that the house-mistress was not disturbed by the threat of her
handmaid. Indeed, she discovered afterward that it was the widow's habit
to threaten thus whenever her temper was a trifle ruffled; also, that
nothing save death was apt to sever her relationship with the Maitland
family, which she held far dearer than her own.

"Tramps? Do you have tramps in this out-of-the-way village? I'm afraid
of tramps, myself, and they're about the only things I am really afraid
of," said Kate, following Aunt Eunice back into the sitting-room.

"I never knew one to pass through Marsden, and I've lived here always;
but Susanna has read of them and their depredations, and is constantly
on the lookout for one. Except for the trouble between the cat and dog
she wouldn't have left your things in the street a moment after she had
satisfied her curiosity concerning you. But you will like Susanna when
you have become accustomed to her. A better-hearted woman never lived."

To this assurance the girl replied with a doubtful laugh and the words:

"I never should have dreamed it;" then stationed herself at the window
to watch the proceedings outside.

The Widow Sprigg had vanished through a back kitchen and now appeared
around the corner of the house, having in tow an elderly man, who
followed her with evident reluctance. She had thrown on a "slat"
sunbonnet, and pinned a red shawl about her shoulders, but had shaken
her head so vigorously that the shawl had slipped down and the sunbonnet
back, while the frills of her muslin cap waved blindingly before her
spectacles.

"Who is that? Is he 'Moses'? Does he live here?" asked Kate, laughing
not only at the appearance but behavior of the two.

"Yes. He is my hired man. His name is Moses Jones. He is not as old as
he looks, and is one of our likeliest citizens. He's quite intelligent,
and has even been mentioned for a constable--if Marsden should ever need
one. If enough city people should come here to warrant such an office,"
finished the lady, with unconscious sarcasm.

Kate's head came around with a jerk. "Constable? That's a policeman,
isn't it?"

"Yes."

"And is it only 'city people' who do wrong and need arresting? Because,
you see, I'm a 'city' person myself, and