l know it."

"You'll make yourself a fool, one of these fine mornings; that's what I
count upon," said Miss Cecilia. "He's a match for you, I have a
presentiment, Sam."

"He won't be for you," said the Squire with some heat.

"There's Mr. Simlins goin' along," said Joe, who having finished his
supper was gazing out of the window. "O my! if he was cut up into real
simlinses, what a many there'd be!"

"You hush, Joe!" said his sister wrathfully. "He's comin' in."

And Mr. Simlins' tall figure did indeed come through the gate and up
the walk, from which a very few more steps and minutes brought him to
the tea table.

"Well, Mr. Simlins!" said Miss Cecilia as she gave him his
cup,--"you've got back. I heard you were returned."

"Yes!" said the farmer deliberately stirring his tea,--"I've got back!
And I'm glad, for one. I've been visiting my relations in New Jersey;
and I've made up _my_ mind that the Simlinses made a good move when
they come to Connecticut."

"You found them all well?" said Miss Cecilia politely.

"Well, no, I didn't," said Mr. Simlins. "How's a man to find five
hundred and fifty people all well? 'Taint nature. How's things with
you, Squire?"

"Wheat's done well--corn middlin'," replied the Squire, while Joe got
behind his sister's chair and whispered,

"There's another name in the diction'ry _sounds_ like your'n, though
they aint spelled just alike."

"Goin' to school, Joe?" growled Mr. Simlins.

"No _sir_," said Joe. "Mr. Linden teached me all he knowed in a
jiffy,--and all I know, too."

"Well--are the other boys learnin' yet?" said Mr. Simlins, as he spread
a slice of bread pretty thick with butter.

"S'pose so"--said Joe,--"all they kin."

"It's hard work!" said Mr. Simlins. "I feel it now! Never ploughin'
made my back ache like learnin'. I wonder whatever they made me school
trustee for, seein' I hate it like pison. But s'pose we mustn't quarrel
with onerous duties," said the farmer, carrying on sighing and bread
and butter and tea very harmoniously together. "I shouldn't mind takin'
a look at your last copy-book, Joe, if it would be agreeable."

"O Mr. Linden kep' that," said Joe unblushingly, "'cause it was so good
lookin'."

"He was so fond of you?" said Mr. Simlins. "How come he to let you go?"

"I staid away," said Joe, drumming on the back of Miss Cecilia's chair.
"Cilly's got the rest of the copy-books--she likes the writin' too."

"Joe, behave yourself!" said his sis