'em," replied Mrs.
Peakslow, gratefully. "The chances for schoolin' is dreffle slim in this
country; we've no school-house within nigh two mile. But how shall I pay
ye?"

"You needn't mind about that."

"Yes, I shall mind too. We must do somethin' for you in return."

"Well, then," said Vinnie, "if you like, you may let one of the girls
help a little in my sister's kitchen, to make up for the time I spend
with them."

"I'll do it, sartin! You shall have Lyddy. She's a good smart hand at
housework, and you may git all out of her you can."

So it was arranged. The little school of two was increased to five; the
"parlor"--used only to store grain in hitherto--was turned into a
school-room; and Lyddy worked in Mrs. Betterson's kitchen.

"Lavinia dear, you _are_ an extraordinary girl!" said Caroline. "It
seems the greatest miracle of all to see one of the Peakslows washing
_our_ dishes!"

No one was better pleased with this arrangement than Jack, who could
never be reconciled to seeing Vinnie--with all her health and strength
and cheery spirits--doing the hardest of the housework.

Jack took early occasion, on visiting Long Woods, to go and see Mr.
Peakslow, and make him a frank apology for having once suspected Zeph of
taking his compass. But he got only an ugly scowl and surly grunt for
his pains.

For a while Peakslow did not go near his family, quartered in his
enemy's house; but slept in the haystack, with Dud and Zeph, and ate the
meals his wife cooked and sent to him three times a day.

But soon Dud went to sleep at the "castle," and found he had nothing
more formidable to meet than Vinnie's bright eyes,--for Dud had suddenly
developed into a bashful youth.

Zeph in a night or two followed his example, and Peakslow was left alone
in his haystack.

And the nights were growing chill; and the repair of the buildings went
on slowly, carpenters being scarce; and Peakslow, who had a heart for
domestic comforts, began to yearn for the presence of his family at
mealtime and bedtime.

At length he stole into the house after dark one evening, and stole out
again before light the next morning. That did not seem to hurt him; on
the contrary, it suited Peakslow; his neighbor's house was better than a
haystack. Then he came to supper and stayed to breakfast. Then there was
no good reason why he should not come to dinner; and he came
accordingly.

Then he stopped after dinner one day to see how Vinnie conducted h