hard and
unsympathetic; I can see you are not used to our ways of living, and
looking at things, but we are sincere, and we want you to stay with us;
indeed, we do."

She gave him a wealth of gratitude from her beautiful brown eyes. "It
is not that I find the place hard, Mr. David. Every one has been so
kind to me that I would be glad to stay, but--but----"

He did not press her for her reason. "You have been ill, I believe you
said?"

"Yes, very ill indeed, and there are not many who would give work to a
delicate girl. Oh, I am sorry to go----" She broke off wildly, and
the tears filled her eyes.

"Miss Anna, when one is ill, it's hard to know what is best. Don't
make up your mind just yet. Stay for a few days and give us a trial,
and just call on me when you want a bucket of water or anything else
that taxes your strength."

She tried to answer him but could not. They were the first words of
real kindness, after all these months of sorrow and loneliness, and
they broke down the icy barrier that seemed to have enclosed her heart.
She bent her head and wept silently.

"There, there, little woman," he said, patting her shoulder when he
would have given anything to put his arm around her and offer her the
devotion of his life. But Dave had a good bit of hard common sense
under his hat, and he knew that such a declaration would only hasten
her departure and the wise young man continued to be brotherly, to urge
her to stay for his mother's sake, and because it was so hard for a
young woman to find the proper kind of a home, and really she was not a
good judge of what was best for her.

And Anna, whose storm-swept soul was so weary of beating against the
rocks, listened and made up her mind to enjoy the wholesome
companionship of these good people, for a little while at least.

CHAPTER XI.

RUSTIC HOSPITALITY.

"Blest be those feasts with simple plenty crowned,
Where all the ruddy family around
Laugh at the jests or pranks that never fail,
Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale."--_Goldsmith_.

Sanderson's clothes, his manner, his slightly English accent, were all
so many items in a good letter of credit to those simple people. The
Squire was secretly proud at having a city man like young Sanderson for
a neighbor. It would unquestionably add tone to Wakefield society.

Kate regarded him with the frank admiration of a young woman who
appreciates a smart appearance, good manner, a