ly that made him step quick. But as
he approached Squire Lee's house, his pace slackened, and he seemed to
be very uneasy. When he reached the great gate that led up to the
house, he stopped for an instant, and thrust his hands down very deep
into his trousers pockets. I cannot tell what the trousers pockets
had to do with what he was thinking about; but if he was searching for
anything in them, he did not find it; for after an instant's
hesitation he drew out his hands, struck one of them against his
chest, and in an audible voice exclaimed,--

"Now or never."

All this pantomime, I suppose, meant that Bobby had some misgivings as
to the ultimate success of his mission at Squire Lee's, and that when
he struck his breast and uttered his favorite expression, they were
conquered and driven out.

Marching with a bold and determined step up to the squire's back
door,--Bobby's ideas of etiquette would not have answered for the
meridian of fashionable society,--he gave three smart raps.

Bobby's heart beat a little wildly as he awaited a response to his
summons. It seemed that he still had some doubts as to the
practicability of his mission; but they were not permitted to disturb
him long, for the door was opened by the squire's pretty daughter
Annie, a young miss of twelve.

"O, Bobby, is it you? I am so glad you have come!" exclaimed the
little lady.

Bobby blushed--he didn't know why, unless it was that the young lady
desired to see him. He stammered out a reply, and for the moment
forgot the object of his visit.

"I want you to go down to the village for me, and get some books the
expressman was to bring up from Boston for me. Will you go?"

"Certainly, Miss Annie, I shall be very glad to go for _you_,"
replied Bobby, with an emphasis that made the little maiden blush in
her turn.

"You are real good, Bobby; but I will give you something for going."

"I don't want anything," said Bobby, stoutly.

"You are too generous! Ah, I heard what you did this forenoon; and pa
says that a great many men would not have dared to do what you did. I
always thought you were as brave as a lion; now I know it."

"The books are at the express office, I suppose," said Bobby, turning
as red as a blood beet.

"Yes, Bobby; I am so anxious to get them that I can't wait till pa
goes down this evening."

"I will not be gone long."

"O, you needn't run, Bobby; take your time."

"I will go very quick. But, Miss Annie, is your fa