ouraged with that way of living?" the little
woman said reflectively.

"Well, it ain't so awful swell; but then you can't call it so terrible
bad. Perhaps some time I could have got money enough to start a
news-stand, an' then I'd been all right, you know."

"Why did you come into the country?"

"You see we had to leave mighty sudden, 'cause----"

Seth checked himself; he had been very near to explaining exactly why
he left New York so unceremoniously. Perhaps but for the "prayers
before breakfast" he might have told this kindly faced little woman
all his troubles; now, however, he did not care to do so, believing
she would consider he had committed a great crime in passing a lead
nickel, even though unwittingly.

Neither was he willing to tell so good a woman an absolute untruth,
and therefore held his peace; but the flush which had come into his
cheeks was ample proof to his hostess that in his life was something
which caused shame.

Aunt Hannah looked at him for an instant, and then as if realizing
that the scrutiny might cause him uneasiness, turned her eyes away as
she asked in a low tone:

"Do you believe it would be possible for you to find such work in the
country as would support you and the dog?"

"I don't know anything about it, 'cause you see I never was in the
country before," Seth replied, decidedly relieved by this change in
the subject of conversation. "Pip Smith thought there was milk an'
pies layin' 'round to be picked up by anybody, an' accordin' to his
talk it seemed as if a feller might squeak along somehow. If I could
always have such a bed as I got last night, the rest of it wouldn't
trouble a great deal."

"But you slept in the barn!" Gladys cried.

"Yes; it was nicer than any room Mother Hyde's got. Don't boys like me
do something to earn money out this way?"

"The farmers' sons find employment enough 'round home; but I don't
think you would be able to earn very much, my boy."

"I might strike something," Seth said reflectively. "At any rate, Snip
an' I'll have to keep movin'."

"Then you have no idea where you're going?" And Aunt Hannah appeared
to be distressed in mind.

"I wish I did," Seth replied with a sigh, and Gladys said quickly:

"You can't keep walkin' 'round all the time, for what will you do when
it rains?"

"Perhaps I might come across a barn, same's I did last night."

"And grow to be a regular tramp?"

"I wouldn't be one if I was willin' to work, would I?