eated you. No, no; I'm goin' to die and
go--"

"You're goin' to have breakfast, that's what you're goin' to have. And
it shan't be warmed up fried clams either. Emily, you stay with him. I'm
goin' to the kitchen."

She fled to the kitchen, where, between fits of crying and laughing,
which would have alarmed Imogene had she been there, she tried to
prepare a breakfast which might tempt the repentant money-lender. Emily
joined her after a short interval.

"He won't listen to anything," said the young lady. "He has been
frightened almost to death, that's certain. He is praying now. I came
away and left him praying. Oh, Auntie, isn't it wonderful! Isn't it
splendid!"

Thankful sighed. "It's so wonderful I can scarcely believe it," she
said. "To think of his givin' up money--givin' it away of his own
accord! I said last night that Jedediah's comin' home was a miracle.
This one beats that all to pieces. I don't know what to do about takin'
that thousand from him," she added. "I declare I don't. 'Course I shan't
take it in the long run; I'll pay it back soon as ever I can. But should
I pretend to take it now? That's what troubles me."

"Of course you should. He is rich and he doesn't need it. What have you
done with that receipt? Put it away somewhere and in a safe place. He
is frightened; that--that something, whatever it was, last
night--frightened him so that he will give away anything now. But, by
and by, when his fright is over he may change his mind. Lock up that
paper, Aunt Thankful. If you don't, I will."

"But what was it that frightened him, Emily? I declare I'm gettin'
afraid to stay in this house myself. What was it he heard--and we
heard?"

"I don't know, but I mean to find out. I'm a sensible person this
morning, not an idiot, and I intend to lay that ghost."

When they went back into the dining-room they were surprised at what
they saw. Solomon was still sitting by the window, but Georgie was
sitting in a chair beside him, exhibiting the pictures in one of
his Christmas books and apparently on the best of terms with his new
acquaintance.

"I'm showin' him my 'Swiss Family Robinson,'" said the boy. "Here's
where they built a house in a tree, Mr. Cobb. Emmie told me about their
doin' it."

Solomon groaned.

"You better take this child away from me," he said. "He came to me of
his own accord, but he hadn't ought to stay. A man like me ain't fit to
have children around him."

Thankful had an inspir