inking of for the last half-hour; and
that ain't much to the purpose to any one but myself."

"Just so, Harry; well, I'm not going to offer you a penny for your
thoughts, but I'm sure you would give a good many pence for mine.
However, I'll make no charge on the present occasion, but will tell you
out at once--Miss Julia that was is coming back to us to her old home,
perhaps to-morrow or next day. My father has sent for her. Now, isn't
that stunning?"

It certainly looked so in Harry's case, for the old man dropped a large
silver fork on to the ground, and stood, with his mouth and eyes wide
open, staring at Walter, the very picture of amazement.

"All, I thought so," said Walter. "Well, Harry, it's true. Isn't that
good news?"

Yes; it was joy and gladness to the faithful old servant's heart. One
big tear after another rolled down his cheeks, and then he said in a low
voice, "The Lord be praised! I've prayed as it might come to this some
day; and so it has at last. And you're sure of it, Master Walter;
you're not a-cramming of me?"

"Nothing of the sort, Harry; I couldn't have the heart to do it. No, it
is perfectly true. And now, what shall we do? Shall we pile up a great
bonfire, and light it the same night she comes back? What do you say to
that?"

"I don't know, Master Walter, I don't know. Somehow or other it don't
seem to me quite suitable. I think master would hardly like it. You
see, it isn't as if she'd been and married a creditable person, or were
coming back after all had gone on straight and smooth like. There's
been faults on both sides, maybe; but it seems to me as we'd better do
our rejoicing in a quieter sort of way, and light the bonfires in our
hearts, and then we shan't give offence to nobody."

"Harry, I believe you're right," said Walter. "You're a regular old
brick, and nothing but it; thank you for your sensible advice."

When dinner was over, and Miss Huntingdon had retired for a few minutes
to her own room, she received a visit from Walter. "Auntie," he said,
"I am come for a lesson on moral courage, and for a little
encouragement. Now, you know all the circumstances of our grand scene
with that shocking scoundrel at Dufferly; so you must tell me who is
your special hero for moral courage in whose steps Amos trode on that
occasion."

"Yes, I can do that, my dear boy," replied his aunt; "but, first of all,
I must speak a word of congratulation and praise to another h