e last time. This one
friend of his was out of sorts with him, wouldn't let him come again;
and the little Dora, who had showed him about making all the letters and
figures, he was to see no more. All the tender and gentle in his heart,
and there was a good deal, swelled up again. There were tears in his
eyes when he looked back at Mr. Hastings with his message.

"Would you please tell your little girl that I'm glad about the letters
and figures, and I'll never forget 'em; and--and--if I can ever do some
little thing for you I'll do it."

Someway Mr. Hastings was growing annoyed. He spoke in mock dignity.

"I shall certainly remember your kindness," he said, bowing low. "And if
ever I should be in need of your valuable assistance, I shall not
hesitate to send for you."

So Tode went out from the Hastings' mansion feeling sore-hearted,
realizing thus early in his pilgrimage that there were hard places in
the way. He walked down the street with a troubled, perplexed air. What
to do next was the question. That is, having settled affairs with Mr.
Roberts, and slept for the last time in his little narrow bed, whither
should he turn his thoughts and his steps on the morrow? Tode had been
earning his living, and enjoying the comforts of a home long enough to
have a sore, choked feeling over the thought of giving them up. A sense
of desolation, such as he had not felt during all his homeless days,
crept steadily over him; and as he walked along the busy street, with
his hands thrust drearily into his pockets, he forgot to whistle as was
his wont.

Mr. Stephens was hastening home from his office with quick business
tread. He was just in front, and instinctively the boy quickened his
step to keep pace with the rapid one. Tode knew him well, had waited on
him at table when there came now and then a stormy day, and he sought
the hotel at the dining hour instead of his own handsome home. He halted
presently before a bookstore and went in. Tode lounged in after him.
Already the old careless feeling that he might as well do that as any
thing had begun to control him again. Mr. Stephens made his purchase,
gave a bill in payment and waited for his change, and from his open
pocket-book, all unknown to him, there fluttered a bit of paper, and
lodged at Tode's feet. Tode glanced quickly about him, nobody else saw
it. Mr. Stephens was already deep in conversation with an acquaintance,
and might have dropped a dozen bits of paper withou