! Had she been a degree less proud, had she
looked upon Ishmael as a human being with like passions and emotions as
her own, she might have been more reserved in her manner. But being as
proud as she was, she caressed and protected the noble peasant boy as a
kind-hearted little lady would have caressed and protected a noble
specimen of the canine race! Therefore, what might have been considered
very forward and lowering in another little lady, was perfectly graceful
and dignified in Miss Merlin.

But, meanwhile, the poor, earnest, enthusiastic boy! He didn't know that
she rated him as low as any four-footed pet! He thought she appreciated
him, very highly, too highly, as a human being! And his great little
heart burned and glowed with joy and gratitude! And he would no more
have taken pay for doing her uncle a service than he would have picked a
pocket or robbed a henroost! He just adored her lovely clemency, and he
was even turning over in his mind the problem how he, a poor, poor boy,
hardly able to afford himself a halfpenny candle to read by, after dark,
could repay her kindness--what could he find, invent, or achieve to
please her!

Of all this Miss Claudia only understood his gratitude; and it pleased
her as the gratitude of Fido might have done.

And she left his side for a moment, and raised herself on tiptoe and
whispered to her uncle:

"Uncle, he is a noble fellow--isn't he, now? But he loves me better than
he does you. So let me give him something."

Mr. Middleton placed the five dollar piece in her hand.

"No, no, no--not that! Don't you see it hurts his feelings to offer him
that?"

"Well--but what then?"

"I'll tell you: When we drove up to Hamlin's I saw him standing before
the shop, with his hands in his pockets, staring at the books in the
windows, just as I have seen hungry children stare at the tarts and
cakes in a pastry cook's. And I know he is hungry for a book! Now uncle,
let me give him a book."

"Yes; but had not I better give it to him, Claudia?"

"Oh, if you like, and he'll take it from you! But, you know, there's
Fido now, who sometimes gets contrary, and won't take anything from your
hand, but no matter how contrary he is, will always take anything from
mine. But you may try, uncle--you may try!"

This conversation was carried on in a whisper. When it was ended Mr.
Middleton turned to Ishmael and said:

"Very well, my boy; I can but respect your scruples. Follow us back to
Ha