he
unfriendly gossip he kin fetch. Huh! I ain't got a mite o' use fer
sech folks."

Uncle Jason was up, pacing the kitchen back and forth in his stocking
feet. He was much stirred over Janice's grief. Aunt 'Mira was in
tears, too. Marty went out on the porch, ostensibly for a pail of
fresh water, but really to cover his emotion.

None of them could comfortably bear the sight of Janice's tears. As
Marty started the pump a boy ran into the yard and up the steps.

"Hullo, Jimmy Gallagher, what you want?" demanded Marty.

"I'm after Janice Day. Got a note for her," said the urchin.

"Hey, Janice!" called her cousin; but the young girl was already out on
the porch.

"What is it, Jimmy? Has Nelson----"

"Here's a note from Miz' Drugg. Said for me to give it to ye," said
the boy, as he clattered down the steps again.

CHAPTER XI

"MEN MUST WORK WHILE WOMEN MUST WEEP"

Janice brought the letter indoors to read by the light of the kitchen
lamp. Her heart fluttered, for she feared that it was something about
Nelson. The Drugg domicile was almost across the street from the
Beaseley cottage and the girl did not know but that 'Rill had been
delegated to tell her something of moment about the young schoolmaster.

Marty, too, was eagerly curious. "Hey, Janice! what's the matter?" he
whispered, at her shoulder.

"Mr. Drugg has to be away this evening and she is afraid to stay in the
house and store alone. She wants me to come over and spend the night
with her. May I, Auntie?"

"Of course, child--go if you like," Aunt 'Mira said briskly. "You've
been before."

Twice Mr. Drugg had been away buying goods and Janice had spent the
night with 'Rill and little Lottie.

"Though what protection I could be to them if a burglar broke in, I'm
sure I don't know," Janice had said, laughingly, on a former occasion.

She went upstairs to pack her handbag rather gravely. She was glad to
go to the Drugg place to remain through the night. She would be near
Nelson Haley! Somehow, she felt that being across the street from the
schoolmaster would be a comfort.

When she came downstairs Marty had his hat and coat on. "I'll go
across town with ye--and carry the bag," he proposed. "Going to the
reading room, anyway."

"That's nice of you, Marty," she said, trying to speak in her usual
cheery manner.

Janice was rather glad it was a moonless evening as she walked side by
side with her cousin down Hillside Aven