Both fearing and fascinated, she dogged
his steps most of the afternoon, but saw nothing to confirm her
mother's view that any spell was working. She scarcely understood why
he looked so long at field, thicket, and woods, as if he saw something
invisible to her.

In planning future work and improvements, the farmer had attained a
quieter and more genial frame of mind. When, therefore, he sat down and
in glancing about saw Jane crouching behind a low hemlock, he was more
amused than irritated. He had dwelt on his own interests so long that
he was ready to consider even Jane's for a while. "Poor child!" he
thought, "she doesn't know any better and perhaps has even been taught
to do such things. I think I'll surprise her and draw her out a
little. Jane, come here," he called.

The girl sprang to her feet, and hesitated whether to fly or obey.
"Don't be afraid," added Holcroft. "I won't scold you. Come!"

She stole toward him like some small, wild, fearful animal in doubt of
its reception. "Sit down there on that rock," he said.

She obeyed with a sly, sidelong look, and he saw that she kept her feet
gathered under her so as to spring away if he made the slightest
hostile movement.

"Jane, do you think it's right to watch people so?" he asked gravely.

"She told me to."

"Your mother?"

The girl nodded.

"But do you think it's right yourself?"

"Dunno. 'Taint best if you get caught."

"Well, Jane," said Holcroft, with something like a smile lurking in his
deep-set eyes. "I don't think it's right at all. I don't want you to
watch me any more, no matter who tells you to. Will you promise not
to?"

The child nodded. She seemed averse to speaking when a sign would
answer.

"Can I go now?" she asked after a moment.

"Not yet. I want to ask you some questions. Was anyone ever kind to
you?"

"I dunno. I suppose so."

"What would you call being kind to you?"

"Not scoldin' or cuffin' me."

"If I didn't scold or strike you, would you think I was kind, then?"

She nodded; but after a moment's thought, said, "and if you didn't look
as if you hated to see me round."

"Do you think I've been kind to you?"

"Kinder'n anybody else. You sorter look at me sometimes as if I was a
rat. I don't s'pose you can help it, and I don't mind. I'd ruther
stay here and work than go a-visitin' again. Why can't I work outdoors
when there's nothin' for me to do in the house?"

"Are you willing to work--to do