Sampson stopped at his own gate. He watched him going up
the hill.

"He's goin' along up to the widow Jones' now, I'll bet. I shouldn't
wonder if he was a goin' to lose me my chance of getting her place. It
kind o' seems as though I ought to have it; it fits on so nice to mine.
And they say old Skinflint is going to foreclose right off. I'll have
to make things fit pretty tight this winter, if I have to raise the
cash. But it does seem as if I ought to have it. Maybe it's Celestia
the Squire wants, and not the farm."

He came back to close the gate which, in his earnestness, he had
forgotten, and leaned for a moment over it.

"Well, now, it does beat all. Here have I been forgetting all about
what I have heard over yonder to the meeting-house. Deacon Sterne
needn't waste no more words, to prove total depravity to me. I've got
to know it pretty well by this time;" and, with a sigh, he turned toward
the house.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

The next week was a busy one to all. Mr Elliott, during that time,
took up his residence at Judge Merle's, only making daily visits to the
little brown house behind the elms where Janet and the bairns were
putting things to rights. There was a great deal to be done, but it was
lovely weather, and all were in excellent spirits, and each did
something to help. The lads broke sticks and carried water, and Janet's
mammoth washing was accomplished in an incredibly short time; and before
the week was over the little brown house began to look like a home.

A great deal besides was accomplished this week. It was not all devoted
to helping, by the boys. Norman caught three squirrels in a trap of his
own invention, and Harry shot as many with Mr Snow's wonderful rifle.
They and Marian had made the circuit of the pond, over rocks, through
bushes and brambles, over brooks, or through them, as the case might be.
They came home tired enough, and in a state which naturally suggested
thoughts of another mammoth washing, but in high spirits with their
trip, only regretting that Graeme and Janet had not been with them. It
was Saturday night, after a very busy week, and Janet had her own ideas
about the enjoyment of such a ramble, and was not a little put out with
them for "their thoughtless ruining of their clothes and shoon." But
the minister had come home, and there was but a thin partition between
the room that must serve him for study and parlour, and the general room
for the family, an