I guess you'll be glad to lie down, for spading up a
piece of grass land isn't easy work."

Understanding from these remarks that he was expected to retire
without delay, Seth took Snip in his arms immediately the meal had
come to a close, and said, as he stood waiting to be shown the way to
his room:

"You've been mighty good to us, Miss--Aunt Hannah, an' I hope we'll
have a chance to pay you back some day."

"You've done that this afternoon," Gladys cried laughingly. "Aunt
Hannah has wanted that garden spot spaded ever since the snow went
away, and the boys around here were too lazy to do it. All hands,
including Snip, will have a share in the planting, and I wouldn't be
surprised if we beat our neighbors, even though it is late for such
work."

Seth would have liked to take leave of these two who had been so kind
to him, for he was still determined to leave the house secretly as
soon as was possible; but he did not dare say all that was in his mind
lest his purpose be betrayed, and followed Aunt Hannah as she led the
way to the room above the kitchen.

"You won't forget to say your prayers," she said, kissing him
good-night, an act which brought the tears to his eyes; and Seth shook
his head by way of promise, although never did he remember having done
such a thing.

After undressing, and when Snip had been provided with a comfortable
bed in the cushioned rocking-chair, Seth attempted to do as he had
promised, and found it an exceedingly difficult task. There was in his
heart both thanksgiving and sorrow, but he could not give words to
either, and after several vain efforts he said reverentially:

"I hope Aunt Hannah will have just as snifty a time in this world as
she deserves, for she's a dandy, if there ever was one!"

Then he crept between the lavender-scented sheets and gave himself up
to the pleasure of gazing at his surroundings.

Never before had he seen such a room, so comfort-inviting and cleanly!
There were two regular pillows on the bed, and each of them enclosed
in a snowy white case which was most pleasing to the cheek, while the
fragrant sheets seemed much too fine to be slept on.

Snip was quite as well satisfied with the surroundings as his master.
The chair cushion was particularly soft, and he curled himself into a
little ring with a sigh of content which told that if the question of
leaving the Morse farm might be decided by him, he and his master
would remain there all their lives.