A few choice hens and roosters strutted around the
rear of the cabin quite at home, and a bright yellow cat purred and
dozed on the tiny porch by day and slept in the lean-to bedroom by
night.

"She takes a mighty heap of trouble to hide her tracks," Norman Teale
confided to Tansey Moore; "but spy is writ large and plain all over
her. I put it to you, Moore, would any one that didn't have to, come
to Trouble Neck?"

Tansey thought not, decidedly.

"And did you ever hear on a woman doctor?"

Again Tansey shook his head.

"That woman's bent on mischief," Teale went on. "I got chivalry and
I've got honour for womanhood in my nater when womanhood keeps to its
place, but I tell you, Moore, right here and now, if that young person
from Trouble Neck comes loitering 'round my business, I'm going to
treat her like what I would a man. No better; no worse."

Moore considered this a very broad and charitable way of looking upon
what was, at best, a doubtful business.

But Marcia Lowe did not seek Teale out, and if his affairs interested
her, she hid her sentiments in a charming manner. Her aim, apparently,
was to reach the women and children. To her door she won Sandy Morley
with the lure of money for his wares. The second time Sandy called he
told her of his ambitions and she fired him to greater effort by
telling him of her home state, Massachusetts.

"Why, Sandy," she explained, "when you are ready, do go there. In
exchange for certain work they will make it possible for you to get an
education. I know plenty of boys who have worked their way through
college with less than you have to offer. Get a little more money and
learning, and then go direct to Massachusetts!"

Sandy's breath came quick and fast. Work was part of his daily life,
but that it and education could be combined he had not considered.
From that time on his aim became localized and vital.

"Perhaps I can help you a bit?" Miss Lowe had suggested. She was often
so lonely that the idea of having this bright, interesting boy with her
at times was delightful.

"I'll--I'll bring all your vegetables to you if you will," Sandy
panted. "I'll dig your garden and weed it. I'll----"

"Stop! stop! Sandy." Miss Lowe laughed, delighted. "If you offer so
much in Massachusetts they will give you _two_ educations. They're
terribly honest folks and cannot abide being under obligations."

So Sandy came; did certain chores and was given glimpses of fi