"

"Hear the child talk! Wal, you kin help me with the work, a little, an'
then we must come to an understandin'."

Marjorie worked with a nervous haste that betrayed her inexperience as
well as her willingness, and after a time the plain little house was in
order.

Mr. Geary came in from doing his out-of-door "chores," and Marjorie saw
the "understandin'" was about to be arrived at. But she was prepared;
she had made up her mind as to her course, and was determined to pursue
it.

"Now, fust of all," said Mr. Geary, kindly, but with decision, "what is
your name?"

"Jessica Brown," said Marjorie, promptly.

She had already assured herself that as she had no real right to the
name she had always used, she was privileged to choose herself a new
one. Jessica had long been a favorite with her, and Brown seemed
non-committal.

Mr. Geary looked at her sharply, but she said the name glibly, and
Jessica was what he called "highfalutin" enough to fit her evident
station in life, so he made no comment.

"Where do you live?" he went on.

"I have no home," said Marjorie, steadily; "I am a findling."

"A what?"

"A findling,--from the asylum."

The term didn't sound _quite_ right to her,--but she couldn't think of
the exact word,--and having used it, concluded to stick to it.

Zeb Geary was not highly educated, but this word, so soberly used,
struck his humorous sense, and he put his brawny hand over his mouth to
hide his smiles.

"Yep," he said, after a moment, "I understand,--I do. And whar'd ye set
out fer?"

"I started for New York, but I've decided not to go there."

"Oh, ye hev, hev ye? An' jes' what do ye calkilate to do?"

"Well, Mr. Geary," Marjorie looked troubled,--"and Mrs. Geary, I'd
_like_ to stay here for a while. I'll work for you, and you can pay me
by giving me food and lodging. I s'pose I wouldn't be worth very much at
first, but I'd learn fast,--you know,--I do everything fast,--Mother
always said so,--I,--I mean, the lady I used to live with, said so. And
I'd try very hard to please you both. If you'd let me stay a while,
perhaps you'd learn to like me. You see, I've _got_ to earn my own
living, and I haven't anywhere to go, and not a friend in the world but
you two."

These astonishing words, from the pretty, earnest child, in the dainty
and fashionable dress of the best people, completely floored the old
country couple.

"Well, I swan!" exclaimed Mr. Geary, while Mrs. Geary said, "My