inutive trunk. The boy followed
her, chattering happily as she worked. She also had noticed the change
in him, and suggested that perhaps, as he had gained such a start toward
health, he need not return, but would do quite well at home.

"He's a care to you, Doctor, although you're that kind and patient,--I
don't see how ever we can thank you enough for all you've done!" Then
Hoyle, to their utter astonishment, threw himself on the ground at the
doctor's feet and burst into bitter weeping.

"Why, son, are ye cryin' that-a-way so's you can get to go off an' leave
maw here 'lone?" But he continued to weep, and at last explained to them
that the "Lord done crooked him up that-a-way so't he could git to go
an' learn to be a painter an' make a house full of pictures," and that
the doctor had said he might. Doctor Hoyle lifted him to his knees with
many assurances that he would keep his word, but for a long time the
child sobbed hysterically, his face pressed against the old man's
sleeve.

"What's that you sayin', child, 'bouts the Lord twistin' yer neck?
Bettah lay sech as that to the devil, more'n likely."

At the mention of that sinister individual, the babe wakened and
stretched out his plump, bare arms, with little pink fists tightly
closed. He yawned a prodigious yawn for so small a countenance, and
gazed vacantly in his grandmother's face. Then a look of intelligence
crept into his eyes, and he smiled one of those sweet, evanescent smiles
of infancy.

"Look at him now, laughin' at me that-a-way. He be the peartest I eveh
did see. Cass, she sure be mean not to tell his fathah 'at he have a
son, she sure be."

Cassandra came and tenderly took the babe in her arms and held him to
her breast. "There, there. Sleep, honey son, sleep again," she cooed,
swaying her body to the rhythm of her speech. "Sleep, honey son, sleep
again."

"Don't you reckon she be mean to Doctah David, nevah to let on 'at he
have a son, and he a-growin' that fast? You a-doin' his fathah mean,
Cassandry." Still Cassandra swayed and sang.

"Sleep, honey son, sleep again."

"He nevah will forgive you when he finds out how you have done him. I
can't make out what-all ails ye, nohow."

"Hush, mother. I'm just leaving his heart in peace. He'll come when he
can, and then he'll forgive me."

As the doctor walked slowly at her side that evening, carrying the
sleeping child back to her cabin, he also ventured a remonstrance, but
without avail.