ld, and they see
things different; and when they do, it ain't much use tryin' to make
them walk alongside and see things alike. Their eyes have got
different cants, and they ain't able to help it. Now this girl she's
related to the old Squire, and she's been brought up different, and
she started ahead, even if her father did lose all his property. She
'ain't never eat in the kitchen, nor been scart to set down in the
parlor, and satin and velvet, and silver spoons, and cream-pots
'ain't never looked anything out of the common to her, and they
always will to you. No matter how many such things you may live to
have, they'll always get a little the better of ye. She'll be 'way
above 'em; and you won't, no matter how hard you try. Some ideas
can't never mix; and when ideas can't mix, folks can't."

"I never said they could," returned Thomas, shortly. "I can't stop to
talk any longer, father. I must go home."

"No, you wait a minute, Thomas. I'm goin' to say out what I started
to, and then I sha'n't ever bring it up again. What I was comin' at
was this: I wanted to warn ye a little. You mustn't set too much
store by little things that you think mean consider'ble when they
don't. Looks don't count for much, and I want you to remember it, and
not be upset by 'em."

Thomas gave a great start and colored high. "I'd like to know what
you mean, father," he cried, sharply.

"Nothin'. I don't mean nothin', only I'm older'n you, and it's come
in my way to know some things, and it's fittin' you should profit by
it. A young woman's looks at you don't count for much. I don't s'pose
she knows why she gives 'em herself half the time; they ain't like
us. It's best you should make up your mind to it; if you don't, you
may find it out by the hardest. That's all. I ain't never goin' to
bring this up again."

"I'd like to know what you mean, father." Thomas's voice shook with
embarrassment and anger.

"I ain't goin' to say anything more about it," replied the old man.
"Mary Ann Pease and Arabella Mann are both in the settin'-room with
your mother. I thought I'd tell ye, in case ye didn't want to see
'em, and wanted to go to work on your sermon."

Thomas made an impatient ejaculation as he strode off. When he
reached the large white house where he lived he skirted it carefully.
The chirping treble of girlish voices came from the open sitting-room
window, and he caught a glimpse of a smooth brown head and a high
shell comb in front of