firmness which sounded strangely from one so mild, "you are not to
go away this day, no matter what may be done later. We will talk about
my plan after dinner, and then perhaps you'll feel like explaining why
you think it necessary to go further in search of work after I have
given you a chance to earn what you and the dog may need."

Then Gladys' voice was heard in the distance as she urged Snip on in
his pursuit of a butterfly, and Aunt Hannah went quickly into the
dwelling, leaving Seth gazing after her wistfully as he muttered:

"I never believed there was such a good woman in this world!"

CHAPTER IV.

THE FLIGHT.

NEITHER Gladys nor Snip came into the barn immediately after their
return, probably because the former had some report to make as to the
message with which she had been entrusted, and Seth was left alone to
turn over in his mind all that Aunt Hannah had said.

A very disagreeable half hour he spent in the conflict between what he
believed to be his duty and his inclination.

It seemed that all his troubles would be at an end if he might remain
in that peaceful place, as the little woman had suggested, and he knew
full well that he could never hope to find as pleasant an abiding
place.

As the matter presented itself to his mind, he was not at liberty to
accept the generous invitation unless the story of why he left New
York was first told; and once Aunt Hannah was aware that he had
transgressed the law by passing counterfeit money, it seemed certain
she would look upon him as a sinner too great for pardon.

He believed it was better to go without explanations than be utterly
cast off by the little woman whom he was rapidly beginning to love,
and, in addition, forfeit her friendship forever. So long as she could
only guess at the reasons for his flight, she might think of him
kindly, and, perhaps, in time, he would be able to prove that he was
worthy of confidence.

"I'll come back when I'm a man, an' then she'll have to believe I
didn't mean to do anything so terrible bad when I passed the lead
nickel," he said to himself, in an effort to strengthen the resolution
just made. "It would be mighty nice to live here, an' what a good time
Snip could have!"

Then he tried to convince himself that his pet should be left behind;
but the thought of going away from that charming home--which might
have been his but for the carelessness in handling the counterfeit
money--leaving behind the only