gloomily. "We'd both love to
stay mighty well, but we can't."

"I'd like to know why"; and now Gladys was on her feet, looking
sternly at the sorrowful guest. "Neither you nor Snip have got a home,
an' here's one with the best woman who ever lived--that much I know to
a certainty."

"I believe you, but it can't be done." And the boy walked to the other
side of the barn as if to end the conversation.

Gladys looked after him for a moment in mingled surprise and
petulance, and then, taking Snip in her arms, she walked straight into
the house, leaving him seemingly more alone than ever.

During the remainder of the forenoon neither Aunt Hannah, Gladys, nor
Snip came out of the door, and then the little woman summoned him to
dinner.

Seth entered the house much as a miserable culprit might have done,
and, after making a toilet at the kitchen sink, sat down at the table
in obedience to Aunt Hannah's instructions.

This time he half expected she would pray, and was not mistaken. Not
having been taken by surprise, he heard every word, and his cheeks
crimsoned with mingled shame and pleasure as she asked her Heavenly
Father to bless and guide the homeless stranger who had come to them,
inclining his heart to the right path.

Aunt Hannah did not use many words in asking the blessing; but to Seth
each one was full of a meaning which could not be mistaken, and he
knew she was pleading that he might be willing to confess his sins.

Perhaps if the good woman had asked at the conclusion of the prayer
why he left New York, Seth would have told her everything; but no word
was spoken on the subject, and by the time dinner had come to an end
he was more firmly convinced than ever that she could not forgive him
for having passed the counterfeit money.

Nothing was said regarding his departure or the proposition that he
should become a member of the household; but Gladys gave the outlines
of a journey she proposed making with Snip that afternoon, and the
heavy-hearted boy understood that it was not her purpose to return
until nightfall.

Then Aunt Hannah asked if he felt equal to the task of spading up a
small piece of ground behind the barn, where she counted on making a
garden, and he could do no less than agree to undertake the task.

Therefore did it seem to him as if he was in duty bound to remain at
the farm during the remainder of that day at least; but there was in
his mind the fact that he must continue his aimless j