and he enjoyed the prospect.

CHAPTER XXII

TWO PERSONS ARE SURPRISED

"Aunt," said Robert, his face aglow with excitement, "I am going to make
a journey. I hope you won't feel lonely while I am away."

"A journey!" exclaimed Mrs. Trafton in astonishment.

"Yes, I am going away on business for the hermit."

"Where are you going?"

"To Boston first."

"To Boston? Land's sake! How can a boy like you find your way round in
such a great city as Boston?"

"A boy of my age ought to be able to take care of himself."

"Why, child, you'll lose your way! There's ever so many streets and
roads. I went to Boston once, and I got so puzzled I didn't know whether
I stood on my head or my heels. If there was some older person going
with you, now----"

"Aunt, don't make a baby of me. I guess I can get along as well as
anybody."

"Well, you can try it. When will you be back?"

"When I get my business done."

"You won't be gone over two days, I calculate."

"I may be gone two months or more."

"Well, I never!" exclaimed the astonished woman, staring at Robert as if
she thought his mind was wandering. "What sort of business is it that's
going to take so long?"

"The hermit wants it kept secret, Aunt Jane."

"But how am I going to get along without you?" asked his aunt in dismay.
"I can't go out fishing, and the money I earn by sewing is almost
nothing."

Robert smiled, for he knew he could allay his aunt's fears.

"The hermit will pay you five dollars a week while I am gone, and here
is the first week's pay," he said, drawing from his pocket a bill.

"Well, I must say your friend the hermit is a gentleman. Five dollars a
week is more than I can spend."

"Then save a part of it if you like, aunt."

"But what shall I do, Robert, if Mr. Jones comes upon me to pay the
mortgage when you arc gone?" said his aunt, with new alarm.

"The hermit has agreed to pay off the mortgage and take one himself for
the same amount."

"He is very kind, Robert. Don't you think that I ought to call and thank
him?"

"What! Call at the cave?"

"Yes!"

"No, aunt," said Robert hastily. "He would not like to have you. You can
wait till you see him. But mind you don't tell anybody--least of all,
Mr. Jones--that you will be able to pay the mortgage. As he is so mean,
we want to give him a surprise."

"Just as you say, Robert. I am glad we'll be able to disappoint him, for
he is certainly a very mean man. Now, when do you w