most two hours."

She burst out laughing and, because she was overwrought and a trifle
hysterical, she laughed a good deal. Galusha laughed even longer than
she did, not because he was hysterical, but because laughing was very
much easier and safer than answering embarrassing questions.

When it really was time to leave for the railroad station and Galusha,
NOT wearing the earlapped cap, but hatted and garbed as became his rank
and dignity, was standing on the stone step by the outside door, she
said:

"Now do be careful, Mr. Bangs."

"Yes--yes, I will, I promise you. I shall keep one hand in my pocket,
holding the pocketbook with the certificate in it, until I get to the
office. I shall think of nothing else."

"Mercy me, think of SOMETHIN' else, please! Think of yourself when
you're goin' across those Boston streets or you'll be run over. I
declare, I don't know as I ought to let you go."

"Oh, I shall be quite safe, quite. But, really," he added, with a
puzzled smile, "I can't tell you how odd this seems. When I was a boy my
Aunt Clarissa, I remember, used to caution me about--about crossing the
streets, and so on. It makes me feel quite young again to have you do
it, Miss Martha. I assure you it does."

Martha regarded him gravely.

"Hasn't anybody since ever told you to be careful?" she asked; "anybody
since your aunt died, I mean?"

"Why, no, I think not. I presume," he added, with the air of one
suggesting a happy explanation, "I presume no one has--ah--been
sufficiently interested. It would have been peculiar if they had been,
of course."

"Hum!... Well, I hope you won't think I am impudent for remindin' you to
look out."

"Oh, no, indeed. It is very nice of you to take the trouble. I like it,
really I do."

The office of Cabot, Bancroft and Cabot was closed when his train
reached Boston, so he went to a hotel and remained there over-night.
But he was on hand at the banking office early the next morning. In the
interval he had time for more reflection and, as a result, he determined
not to go to Mr. Barbour with his business. The fear that knowledge of
what he was about to do would reach Cousin Gussie's ears was strong upon
him. Doubtless it was a fact that he had a right to do what he pleased
with his own money, but it was also a fact that Cousin Gussie seemed
to think he had no such right. Barbour was the Cabot secretary, or
assistant secretary, so decidedly it was best not to go to Barbour.