e an actual weight. Do advise me, Susanna."

From which it appears that the widow's curiosity had already been
satisfied concerning the fabulous "find" in the Maitland forest, and she
readily assented to her companion's idea.

"No, Eunice, we couldn't do better. Let him be. Poor wretch, he won't
trouble nobody long, by the sound o' that cough. An' if Squire Pettijohn
is mean enough an' onfeelin' enough to treat him like he vowed he would
ary tramp, 'even his own son,' I guess we can let the Lord 'tend to
_him_. He wouldn't know another day's peace, not if he's human; 'cause
once that mis'able creatur', no matter what he is now, was a baby--a
baby in arms. But--my suz, Eunice! I've just figured it out! How can the
Squire 'rest anybody? He ain't no constable. Nobody ain't a constable
here in Marsden. Ain't been none sence Isaac Brewster died, an' nobody
would take his place. 'Less I'm one, myself, as Moses said."

At which she laughed heartily, then hastily added:

"But we must be gettin' home to oncet. I'll step up attic an' get a
couple o' shawls to wrop 'round us, heads an' all. I do hope we shall be
pervented from takin' cold temptin' Providence the way we have, at our
time o' life. Nate, he won't stir no more to-night. He's too tuckered
out an' too well fed. Sleep's the best medicine for him, so we'll shut
up quiet like an' start. But where in the world'll you get clothes, as
you said? Man's clothes, you an' me, old women without a man betwixt us,
except Moses, an' it bein' kep' secret from him still. If you tell him
he'll tell the deacon, an' what the deacon knows belongs to the hull
community."

"I'll find them, Susanna; I'll send an order for all he needs by the
morning stage."

"Tell Reub Smith! My suz! Might as well proclaim it from the church
steeple!"

"No, indeed. I shall not tell him, but simply send an order by him when
he goes to town in the morning."

Then they hurried home, and Miss Maitland rested better that night than
she had done since the children brought her the brass bound box from out
the forest.

* * * * *

Next morning Monty "hooked school." Not that this was an extraordinary
thing to happen, although its purpose was mysterious. He did not seek
either woods or river, for nuts or fishes, but hung about the
post-office till Reuben Smith drove tooting down South Hill into the
village street on his way outward toward the county town. The stage drew
up wit