oat over the horizon.
But perhaps his words had brought her mind back to the question of
supper for she asked again,

"What are you to have for tea to-night, Mr. Linden?"

"May I take a great liberty?" he said with a look as grave as before.

"I don't know how you can,"--she said and with eyes somewhat surprised,
that said in their own way it was impossible.

A little smile--which she scarce saw--came first, and then her hand was
brought to his lips. But it was done too gravely and gently to startle
even her.

"Now you must go and rest," Mr. Linden said. "I want nothing for tea
that shall cost one extra step."

Faith went about as silently and demurely as a cat that has had her
ears boxed and been sent out of the dairy. Only in this case she went
_to_ her dairy; from whence in due time she emerged with cream and
butter and made her appearance in the kitchen.

"Well _child!_" said Mrs. Derrick. "When did you get home? and what did
you do with yourself? I've looked and looked for you till I was tired,
and if you'd staid five minutes more I should have run all over town
after you."

"Why mother!" said Faith, "I was in my own room for a good while. I got
home in usual time."

"Well!"--said her mother, "I hope next time you'll say as much--that's
all. Do you know we've got company, Faith?"

"Who, mother?--O I've seen Mr. Linden."

"I meant him," said Mrs. Derrick. "I'm sure the house seems as if it
had twice as many in it since he came."

"He ought to have tea, now, mother. Isn't Cindy home yet?"

"No, but that's no matter--I'll take it up in two minutes. Where's the
teapot--"

"I think, mother," said Faith as she was adding the last touches to the
tray which was to go up stairs,--"I must have put Mr. Linden in mind of
his sister, or somebody, this afternoon. I am afraid he misses them
now."

"What do you mean by somebody?" said Mrs. Derrick.

"Some of his own family, I mean. I thought so."

"I don't believe you ever put anybody in mind of anybody else," said
Mrs. Derrick confidently. "What made you think so, child?"

"Something made me think so,"--said Faith rather abstractly. "Now
mother--it is ready, and I'll take it up stairs if you'll take it then."

"I guess I'm up to as much as taking it all the way," said her mother,
lifting the tray. "I'll be down presently, dear,--you must want _your_
tea." And up stairs she went.

Reuben came to stay all night, so the ladies had only to take their own