ed Reuben immediately.

With a feeling of satisfaction certainly, Mrs. Derrick at last locked
and bolted the front door, shutting out the driving mist and all that
might hide within it; and then went to look after the only treasure the
house contained. She wasn't far to seek, for as the locking and bolting
sounded through the house, Faith came down and went with her mother
into the sitting-room.

"Have you had nothing to eat yet, mother!" she exclaimed as her eye
fell on the orderly tea-tray.

"No child--nor sha'n't want it, till I see you have something."

Faith smiled a little, came and put her arms round her and kissed her;
and then set about the whole work of getting tea over again. It was
with a very pale face yet; only the silver ring of her voice told the
change of the mental atmosphere. Her mother looked at her--but was
perhaps afraid to ask any questions to disturb the quiet.

"Reuben's a good boy!" she said, feeling that remark to be perfectly
safe.

"I'm glad he's there," Faith answered gravely. "I heard all Dr.
Harrison said, mother."

"Yes child," said her mother--as if she knew that before,--"I thought
you'd see Reuben too."

"Reuben said the same, mother. And Mr. Linden himself sent word there
was no cause to be anxious."

Faith did not say he had written that word to her. Perhaps her own
consciousness might have made her shy of the subject--or perhaps what
she judged to be people's false reports had left a sore spot in her
heart and she was afraid of touching _that_. But she did not speak of
the little note which had come to her. She was preparing her mother's
tea with all speed, while Mrs. Derrick on her part peeped into the
sugar-bowl to see if it wanted filling, and began to cut the bread.

"I'm glad to hear it, child," she said. "Dr. Harrison's too smart for
me--I can't get a bit of good out of _him_. My, Faith! I suppose Mr.
Linden can manage him, but if I had that man buzzing round _me_, I
shouldn't know whether I was sick or well. When is he coming back,
child?"

"I don't know, mother."--Then with the invincible instinct of truth,
she added, "He wants my work to be ready for him Monday."

"Reuben's got a great deal of gumption!" said Mrs. Derrick, her heart
quite expanding with the pleasure of hearing Faith talk once more. "Now
half the boys in town would have blurted that right out to me and Dr.
Harrison together,--and I wouldn't trust _him_ for not asking
questions. But I'm sure