e heard his question, Randy took her parcels, and gave
Joel her bill. Joel took the money, but he could not resist the temptation
to ask one more question.

"Mebbe ye didn't know that yer pa bought a pair er shoes jest that size
t'other night, did ye?"

No one person was ever known to have bought two pairs of shoes and two
dresses at Barnes' store within a week, and the clerk was wild with
curiosity, but just as he was about to repeat his question, Jotham entered
the store, and Joel turned to see what his errand might be.

"Nothing to-day," said Jotham, "I saw Randy in here, and I thought I'd
offer to take her bundles."

Together they left the store, and as they turned into the quiet, shady
road Randy said,

"I think I never was more glad to see you, Jotham, than when I turned and
saw you in the doorway of the store."

"Then I'm doubly glad I came," said Jotham.

"Well, Joel Simpkins thought 'twas the funniest thing that I should be
buying something when father was not with me, and he asked just every
question that he could think of except one. He didn't ask me where I got
my money, and I do believe he would have asked me that if you hadn't come
in just when you did."

"O Randy, it's a funny sight to see you provoked," said Jotham with a
hearty laugh. "I know that he is an inquisitive fellow.

"You know I've been studying this summer with the young professor who has
been boarding at our house, and father has arranged it so that when he
returns to teach at the university I shall go back with him, not to the
college of course, but as his private pupil. I shall work very hard at my
studies and hope another year to enter college.

"Well, father was speaking to Mr. Barnes of my aspirations, and his plans
for me, when Joel stepped over to where they stood talking, and said he,

"'Ain't that goin' ter be pooty expensive, Mr. Potts, an' likely ter put
kind er high notions inter Jotham's head?'

"Father turned and looked at him, then he said,

"'I'm not likely to incur any bills which I am unable to meet, and as to
Jotham's head, I truly believe it is level.'"

They both laughed to think of Joel's discomfiture, and under the shade of
overhanging branches they sat down upon a large rock at the side of the
road and Randy, turning toward Jotham said,

"There, now I'll tell you what I could not tell this morning, because dear
little Prue cannot keep a secret, and you can, and will."

[Illustration: "I'll tell you