and Mrs. Allen's
gracious nod enabled him to face the eyes of the interested
congregation, the younger portion of which stared steadily at him all
sermon time, in spite of paternal frowns and maternal tweakings in the
rear.

But the crowning glory of the day came after church, when the Squire
said to Ben, and Sam heard him:

"I've got a letter for you from Miss Celia. Come home with me and bring
your father. I want to talk to him."

The boy proudly escorted his parent to the old carry-all, and tucking
himself in behind with Mrs. Allen, had the satisfaction of seeing the
slouched felt hat side by side with the Squire's Sunday beaver in front,
as they drove off at such an unusually smart pace that, it was evident,
Duke knew there was a critical eye upon him. The interest taken in the
father was owing to the son at first, but, by the time the story was
told, old Ben had won friends for himself, not only because of the
misfortunes which he had evidently borne in a manly way, but because of
his delight in the boy's improvement, and the desire he felt to turn his
hand to any honest work, that he might keep Ben happy and contented in
this good home.

"I'll give you a line to Towne. Smithers spoke well of you, and your own
ability will be the best recommendation," said the Squire, as he parted
from them at his door, having given Ben the letter.

Miss Celia had been gone a fortnight, and every one was longing to have
her back. The first week brought Ben a newspaper, with a crinkly line
drawn round the "marriages" to attract attention to that spot, and one
was marked by a black frame with a large hand pointing at it from the
margin. Thorny sent that, but the next week came a parcel for Mrs. Moss,
and in it was discovered a box of wedding-cake for every member of the
family, including Sancho, who ate his at one gulp and chewed up the lace
paper which covered it. This was the third week, and as if there could
not be happiness enough crowded into it for Ben, the letter he read on
his way home told him that his dear mistress was coming back on the
following Saturday. One passage particularly pleased him:

"I want the great gate opened, so that the new master may go in that
way. Will you see that it is done, and all made neat afterward. Ronda
will give you the key, and you may have out all your flags if you like,
for the old place cannot look too gay for this home-coming."

Sunday though it was, Ben could not help waving the