ou are--"

"Robert Bright, sir."

"My brave little fellow! I am heartily glad to see you;" and the
bookseller shook the hand he held with hearty good will. "I was
thinking of you only a little while ago."

"This fellow calls me a liar," said Bobby, pointing to the astonished
Mr. Timmins, who did not know what to make of the cordial reception
which "Country" was receiving from his employer.

"Well, Robert, we know that he is a liar; this is not the first time he
has, been caught in a lie. Timmins, your time is out."

The spruce clerk hung his head with shame and mortification.

"I hope, sir, you will--" he began, but pride or fear stopped him
short.

"Don't be hard with him, sir, if you please," said Bobby. "I suppose I
aggravated him."

Mr. Bayard looked at the gentleman who stood by his side, and a smile
of approbation lighted up his face.

"Generous as he is noble! Butler, this is the boy that saved Ellen."

"Indeed! He is a little giant!" replied Mr. Butler, grasping Bobby's
hand.

Even Timmins glanced with something like admiration in his looks at the
youth whom he had so lately despised. Perhaps, too, he thought of that
Scripture wisdom about entertaining angels unawares. He was very much
abashed, and nothing but his silly pride prevented him from
acknowledging his error, and begging Bobby's forgiveness.

"I can't have a liar about me," said Mr. Bayard.

"There may be some mistake," suggested Mr. Butler.

"I think not. Robert Bright couldn't lie. So brave and noble a boy is
incapable of a falsehood. Besides, I got a letter from my friend
Squire Lee by this morning's mail, in which he informed me of my young
friend's coming."

Mr. Bayard took from his pocket a bundle of letters, and selected the
squire's from among them. Opening it, he read a passage which had a
direct bearing upon the case before him.

"'I do not know what Bobby's faults are,'"--the letter said,--"'but
this I do know: that Bobby would rather be whipped than tell a lie. He
is noted through the place for his love of truth.'--That is pretty
strong testimony; and you see, Bobby,--that's what the squire calls
you,--your reputation has preceded you."

Bobby blushed, as he always did when he was praised, and Mr. Timmins
was more abashed than ever.

"Did you hear that, Timmins? Who is the liar now?" said Mr. Bayard,
turning to the culprit.

"Forgive me, sir, this time. If you turn me off now, I cannot get
another pl