es were dangerously prone
to have twinkles in the corners of them, yet I believe I met their
derisive questioning with a simple seriousness in my own.

"Well, that's right!" he exclaimed. "Stick to 'em! Stick to 'em! I'll be
down to conduct another--humph! another examination in a week or two.
Good-bye!" and he gave me his hand, and was off almost before the little
line of mourners had disappeared over the crest of the hill. Yet I
remember that Grandma Bartlett, who had been deterred by the infirmity of
age from joining the procession, and had remained at the window, alone,
regaled the Wallencampers, on their return, with a choice fancy, in which
the Turkey Mogul and I had stood "talkin' and chatterin' on the
school-house steps, for an hour or more." Grandma Bartlett, though not
actively disposed to work mischief, nor possessed, indeed, of any animate
quality, still cherished a few of the dry formulas of scandal, which she
applied to any seemingly favorable combination of circumstances. The
Wallencampers, at any time, paid but little attention to her words.

And, at the close of this strange day, I sat alone, in my little room in
the Ark, and indited a letter to the following effect:--

"Having received gratifying overtures from the people of my charge, I had
decided, for reasons which I could not then explain, to remain at
Wallencamp until May, to which time I looked forward with the delightful
hope of seeing my dear ones once more.

"Meanwhile, I hoped they would not consider it strange, or ungracious of
me to say that I should very much prefer not to have Brother Will, or any
one else, come to Wallencamp to look after me, as Brother Will and some
others had kindly suggested doing. It would seem to imply that I was not
capable of taking care of myself, a mania which I trusted no longer held
possession of the family brain. Moreover, Wallencamp, though so charming
a place, had but few facilities for the accommodation of guests. I should
draw on my salary, now, very shortly, and would then remit the sums I had
borrowed in mere temporary embarrassment," etc.

CHAPTER XII.

BECKY'S CONFESSION.

The Wallencamp bonfire, like Christmas or a Fourth of July celebration in
less ingenious and erratic communities, came only once a year. It was
kindled on Eagle Hill, that runs out from the mainland of Wallencamp into
Herrin' River,--the Wallencampers called the Hill an island,--and from
most points of view it answere