Aunt Hannah. With three
spare rooms in the house and hardly ever a visitor to use one of them,
why couldn't he have a bed here?"

"He can, my dear, and it's my duty to give him a home, as I see
plainly; but you can't imagine what a cross it will be for me to have
a boy and a dog around the old place. I have lived here alone so many
years, except after you came, that a new face, even though it be a
friendly one, disturbs me."

"Surely you'd get used to him in a few days, and he's a boy who tries
to do all he can in the way of helping."

"I believe so, my dear, and, therefore, because it seems to be my
duty, I'm goin' to ask him to stay, at least until he can find a
better home; but at the same time I hold that it will be a dreadful
cross for me to bear."

Seth suddenly became aware that he was playing the part of a sneak by
thus listening; and although eager to hear more, turned quickly away,
busying himself at the opposite side of the barn, where it would not
be possible to play the eavesdropper in even so slight a degree.

Until now it had never come into his mind that this little woman,
whose home was so exceedingly inviting, might give him an opportunity
to remain, even for the space of twenty-four hours; but as it was thus
suggested, he realized how happy both he and Snip would be in such a
place, and believed he could ask for nothing more in this world if it
should be his good fortune to have an opportunity to stay.

There was little probability the officers of the law would find him
here, however rigorously the search might be continued, and it seemed
as if every day spent in such a household must be filled with
unalloyed pleasure.

He stopped suddenly in his work as the thought came that it had
already been decided he should have an invitation to remain, and a
great joy came into his heart just for an instant, after which he
forced it back resolutely, saying to himself:

"A feller who would bother a good woman like Aunt Hannah deserves to
be kicked. She's made up her mind to give me a chance jest 'cause she
thinks it's something that ought'er be done; but I ain't goin' to play
mean with her. It's lucky I happened to hear what was said, else I'd
have jumped at the chance of stayin' when she told me I might."

At that moment Snip came into the barn eager to be petted by his
master, and wearied with the fruitless chase after foolish and
annoying birds.

"It's tough on you, little man, 'cause a home like