ht
to have the pleasure of helping Allison's brother; and he said to
himself:

"I'll bide a wee. He has not mentioned Mr Hadden's name, nor his own,
for that matter. Yes, I'll bide a wee, and we'll manage it in some
way."

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

"Let us be content to work--
To do the thing we can, and not presume
To fret because 'tis little."

And it was managed very much to John's satisfaction, and very easily
managed. One morning John hailed an early market-man, returning home
with his empty waggon, and asked him if he would take passengers for a
little way into the country. The man hesitated only for a minute.

"Well, yes, I guess so--just as well as not. Glad of your company,"
said he, after a second glance at John's face, and away they went
together. It paid to have their company their new friend told them, as
he took his leave of them.

"If you think of walking back to town to-night, I guess you've come far
enough," said he, when they came to the top of the hill.

He left them on a little knoll, sheltered by a few great maple-trees,
and having a sloping, stony pasture between it and the lake, and here
they spent the morning. John had a book, and he enjoyed it, while his
patient slept. But he could not quite put away all anxious thoughts,
and he laid it down at last to face them.

What was to be done with this silent lad, who had fallen into his hands?
Since the night of their meeting, he had spoken no word about himself,
except as he had muttered or cried out unconsciously while the fever was
upon him. He had not asked a question or hesitated a moment in letting
John do with him as he would, accepting all help and tendance as quietly
and naturally as they were cheerfully given.

And John liked all this, in a way. But it could not continue. For the
lad's sake something must be said, something must be done.

"He must be made stronger, and put in the way of doing for himself,
before I leave," said John, thinking rather of the lightness of his
purse than of any desire he had to see the country or even to get home
again.

"Yes, we must lose no time," he repeated, and looked up to meet the
lad's eyes fixed on him.

"You have never told me your name," said he gravely.

John laughed.

"Have I not? Well, it is John Beaton. Did you ever hear it before?"

"No, I have never heard it."

"And you have not told me yours. It is rather queer, too. The name is
usually the first ex