opportunity of helping your father," said Mrs. Frost.

"Suppose we don't tell him, mother," suggested Frank; "but when he gets
home surprise him with the amount of our savings."

"No," said Mrs. Frost, after a moment's thought, "your father will be
all the better for all the good news we can send him. It will make his
life more tolerable."

Frank harnessed his horse to a light wagon and drove down to the tavern.

Henry Morton was sitting on the piazza, as the day was unusually-warm,
with a book in his hand.

"Well," he said, looking up with a smile, "I hope you have come for me."

"That is my errand, Mr. Morton," answered Frank. "If your trunk is
already packed, we will take it along with us."

"It is quite ready. If you will come up and help me downstairs with it,
I will settle with the landlord and leave at once."

This was speedily arranged, and the young man soon occupied a seat
beside Frank.

Arrived at the farmhouse, Frank introduced the new boarder to his
mother.

"I hope we shall be able to make you comfortable," said Mrs. Frost, in a
hospitable tone.

"I entertain no doubt of it," he said politely. "I am easy to suit, and
I foresee that Frank and I will become intimate friends."

"He was very urgent to have you come. I am not quite sure whether it
would have been safe for me to refuse."

"I hope he will be as urgent to have me stay. That will be a still
higher compliment."

"Here is the room you are to occupy, Mr. Morton," said Mrs. Frost,
opening a door at the head of the front stairs.

It was a large square room, occupying the front eastern corner of the
house. The furniture was neat and comfortable, though not pretentious.

"I like this," said the young man, surveying his new quarters with an
air of satisfaction. "The sun will find me out in the morning."

"Yes, it will remain with you through the forenoon. I think you will
find the room warm and comfortable. But whenever you get tired of it you
will be welcome downstairs."

"That is an invitation of which I shall be only too glad to avail
myself. Now, Frank, if you will be kind enough to help me upstairs with
my trunk."

The trunk was carried up between them, and placed in a closet.

"I will send for a variety of articles from the city to make my room
look social and cheerful," said Mr. Morton. "I have some books and
engravings in Boston, which I think will contribute to make it so."

A day or two later, two large boxes arrived, on