his sudden journey,
he said: He had a notion that something ailed Katy, and he was going
to see.

No one ever thought of opposing Uncle Ephraim, and the following day
found him ready for the journey Aunt Betsy had taken before him.

Presuming upon her experience as a traveler, that good dame had
proffered sundry pieces of advice with reference to what it was best for
him to do on the road, telling him which side of the car to sit, where
to get out, and above all things not to shake hands with the conductor
when asked for his ticket.

Uncle Ephraim heard her good-humoredly, and stuffing into his pocket the
paper of ginger-snaps, fried cakes and cheese, which Aunt Hannah had
prepared for his lunch, he started for the cars, and was soon on his way
to New York.

In his case there was no Bob Reynolds to offer aid and comfort, and the
old man was nearly torn in pieces by the burly hackman, who, the moment
he appeared to view, pounced upon him as lawful prey, each claiming the
honor of taking him wherever he wished to go, and raising such a din
about his ears that he finally turned away thoroughly disgusted, telling
them:

"He had feet and legs, and common sense, and he guessed he could find
his way without 'em. 'Bleeged to you, gentlemen, but I don't need you,"
and with a profound bow the honest-looking old deacon walked away,
asking the first man he met the way to Madison Square, and succeeded in
finding the number without difficulty.

"This is it," he said, stopping in front of the tall building, and
examining it closely from the roof to the basement.

Now that he was really there, a misgiving as to the propriety of the act
assailed him for the first time, and he began to wish he had not come.

"I won't pull that nub," he said, glancing at the silver knob. "I'll go
down to the kitchen door, as like enough they've company."

Accordingly Esther, who chanced to be in the basement, was startled by a
heavy knock, and was startled still more at the tall, white-haired man
who addressed her as "Sis," and asked if "Miss Cameron was to hum."

"A man in the kitchen asking for me!" Katy exclaimed, when Esther
reported the message, and with her mind full of possible news from
Wilford, she ran hastily down the basement stairs, and with a loud
scream of joy threw herself into Uncle Ephraim's arms, an act which so
astonished Phillips that she dropped the dish of soup she was preparing
for the dinner table, the greasy liquid bes