en up to?" asked Uncle Ike, opening his eyes.

"Nothing," said Quincy, "and that's the trouble. When I went to Deacon
Mason's nobody told me that his daughter was engaged to Ezekiel
Pettengill."

"And she isn't," interjected Uncle Ike.

"Well," said Quincy, "they have been keeping company together, but I
didn't know it. Miss Mason is a pretty girl and a very pleasant one.
Time hung heavily on my hands and I naturally paid her some attentions;
gave her flowers and candy, and took her out to ride, but I never
thought of falling in love with her, and I am not conceited enough to
think she is in love with me."

"Well, I don't know," said Uncle Ike reflectively. "Perhaps she has
heard your father was worth a million dollars."

"No, I don't believe that," said Quincy. "Miss Mason is too true and
honest a girl to marry a man simply for his money."

"Well, I think you are right there," remarked Uncle Ike.

"New Year's night," said Quincy, "at the concert in the Town Hall,
Strout, the singing teacher, got down on me because Miss Putnam and I
received so much applause for singing a duet together. Then I broke his
heart by whistling a tune for the girls and boys, and then again he
doesn't like me because I am from the city! he hired a fellow to whip
me, but the fellow didn't know how to box and I knocked him out very
quickly. Now that Strout can't hurt me any other way he has gone to work
making up lies, and the village is full of gossip about Miss Mason and
me. Deacon Mason was going to talk to me about it, but I told him
yesterday morning that I was going to get another boarding place, and I
should have done so yesterday but for a very unfortunate accident."

"Accident?" said Uncle Ike; "why, you seem to be all right."

"I wish I had been the victim," said Quincy, "instead of Miss Mason. I
took her out riding yesterday and the buggy got tipped over right in
front of Deacon Mason's house, and Miss Mason had her left arm broken
above the elbow. I have done all I could to atone for my carelessness,
but I am afraid 'Zeke Pettengill will never forgive me. I wish, Mr.
Pettengill, you would make him understand my position in the matter. I
would like to be good friends with him, for I have nothing against him.
He is the most gentlemanly young man that I have seen in the town. I
value his good opinion and I want him to understand that I haven't
intentionally done anything to wrong or injure him."

Uncle Ike covered his eyes wi