alking or
running home, or playing ball by the way. Mr. Linden's carriage was a
little behind them all, but he came at last, and gave her a bow and a
smile from the gate though she thought herself standing too far back to
be seen.

"Now Mr. Linden," said Faith when he came in,--"I am so glad to speak
to you again! How do you do?" The question was not lightly given.

"Miss Faith, did you finish your dinner?"

"No--" said Faith hesitating,--"but I am going to have some tea by and
by. Aren't you well tired, Mr. Linden?"

"Pretty well--Why didn't you?"

"I wanted to be doing something else,"--said Faith, giving the easy
chair a little push into place, and then brightening up the fire. "I
shall have tea in here to-night, Mr. Linden. But we must wait a little
while for it, for Cindy is out. You won't be sorry to rest first."

She was summarily, though very respectfully put in the easy chair
herself.

"By what rule of right and wrong did you do anything else first? Do you
know, Miss Faith, I did not finish mine either--I wanted another piece
of bread, and could not get it!"

"Why not, Mr. Linden? I am sure there was bread on the table. But I am
glad if you are hungry, for I have got something that you like. Now
please rest!" she said springing up and beginning to arrange the table.

"I am sure I asked you for it politely," he said with a smile, as he
yielded to her "please rest." "What have you been about all day?"

"I have been learning my lessons--and trying how well I could get on by
myself."

"Get on by yourself?" he said rather slowly and inquiringly. "In what?"

"In the books--in my studies, Mr. Linden."

"Are you tired of my help, Miss Faith?"

She gave all her eyes to the answer, both in their sweetness and their
gravity. "Do you think I could let you spend all your time upon me, Mr.
Linden, when your whole day is given to such work? I'll come to you for
help whenever I can't get on without it," she said with a smile, not
exactly an enjoying one,--"but I know I can do a good deal by myself."

His eyes were given to the answer too, a little intently, but the smile
that followed was different.

"I think you will let me do what I shall do, Miss Faith."

"I suppose that!" said Faith with a bright gleam in her eyes. She went
out to see if Cindy had come back; but returned immediately, sat down
and looked gravely into the fire.

"What is the use of startling people in that way?" Mr. Linden said,
lookin