u are my niece, and you kin come inside the office and
mend all you like, and it ain't nobody's business. You see, sister
died last year, and I ain't had nobody to fix up the things for me
since."

"I'll be very glad to do what I can," said Tavia, "but I never was
much good at sewing. However, I'll do the very best I can, Uncle Sam."

"Sure you will, and that'll be all right. Here we are. Now, you just
wait while I get the horse's oats, and then we'll get ours."

The house before which he drew up was of the old Colonial type--the
posts had been white, and imposing at some time, but they were now
neither white nor any other true color. Also, they threatened to
topple over on the vines, that so kindly did their part in trying to
make the old place look alive.

An old man sat on the porch, smoking his pipe. Sam Dixon spoke to him
as he passed around the house to get the horse his breakfast.
Presently a woman, enveloped in gingham dress, and lost in a gingham
sunbonnet, came out and stood in wonderment, looking at Tavia. She
glared at her for a moment or two, and then, without speaking a word,
entered the house again. This was not a very cordial welcome for
Tavia, but she patted the horse, and pretended not to notice the
slight. Then Sam came limping along with the oats in a nose bag for
Major.

"Now eat," ordered Sam, "and----" Then it struck him that he had not
fixed on a name for his "niece." Tavia saw his embarrassment, but
before she could suggest a name, he added, "Betsy, you and me's hungry
too, I reckon. Let's see what Sarah has to eat in the kitchen."

"All right, Uncle Sam," replied "Betsy," with a smile, "I am hungry."

They entered the house, and soon were seated on the old-fashioned
hickory chairs, before some steaming cakes, and equally steaming
coffee. Tavia was indeed hungry, and she "fell to," as did Sam,
without any unnecessary ceremony.

How strange it was! But what if the folks at camp thought her drowned?
At any rate she must earn her ticket back.

What an eternity it seemed since she stole away to that little
bridge--she could not bear to think of it now! And what would Dorothy
think. Ah, how little Tavia knew what poor Dorothy was thinking at
that very moment!

"Now, when you're ready, we'll hop along," said Sam as Sarah came in
the room, and looked to see if her guests would take more coffee.
"How's things to-day, Sarah?"

"Ain't you heard?" she replied ambiguously.

"No, what?" press