to his father.

"Come," said Mead to his old comrade; "many days have passed since I
gave thee an invitation to my abode; but as I have not since then been a
free agent, I could not have received thee as I desired."

CHAPTER FIVE.

Wenlock Christison and his son proceeded up Cornhill a short time after
the events which have been described. They were examining the various
signs over the shop doors, in search of that which distinguished Master
Mead's abode.

"Ah! there it is," said Wenlock; "that must be the `Spinning Wheel' he
told us of."

A demure youth with well-brushed hair was standing at the door, in
courteous language inviting passers-by to enter and inspect his master's
goods.

"Is this Master Mead's abode, young man?" inquired Captain Christison.

"Verily, friend, it is," answered the shopman. "If thou wilt enter,
thou wilt find thy money's worth for any goods thou mayst purchase.
Master Mead bringeth good judgment to bear on his purchases, and buys
only such goods as those in which he has confidence. Enter, friend;
enter, I pray thee."

"Thank you," said Christison; "but I wish to see Master Mead himself."

"If thou wilt enter through this door, thou wilt find him in the upper
story with his family," answered the shopman, leading the way; and
Christison and Wenlock proceeded upstairs.

Master Mead cordially welcomed his old friend, introducing him to a
comely matron whom he spoke of as his wife Martha. "And here is my
daughter Mary," he added, pointing to a remarkably pretty and
fair-haired girl, who smiled sweetly, and held out her hand to her
father's guests. She might have been two or three years younger than
Wenlock, though, being well grown, there seemed but little difference in
their ages. While their elders were talking, the young people, after a
few desultory remarks, found themselves drawn into conversation.

"I hear from my father that thou hast been a great traveller already,"
said Mary Mead.

"Yes, indeed," answered Wenlock. "I scarcely remember ever remaining
more than two or three months in one place. When my mother died, my
father left our home in New England, ever after seeking for some spot
where he might settle, but finding none, till at length he determined to
go back to the old country."

"You can have had but little time for obtaining instruction then?" said
Mary, "I thought boys were always sent to school."

"I picked up what I could out of what my father call