Weary, as Seth was, he found it exceedingly difficult to prevent his
eyes from closing in slumber; yet sleep was a luxury he could not
indulge in at that time, lest he should not awaken at an hour when he
might leave the dwelling without arousing the other inmates.

Perhaps it would have been wiser had he not undressed himself; but
the temptation of getting into such a bed as Aunt Hannah had provided
for his benefit was greater than he could withstand, therefore must he
be exceedingly careful not to venture even upon the border of
dreamland.

It is needless to make any attempt at trying to describe Seth's
condition of mind, for it may readily be understood that his grief was
great. More than once did he say to himself it would be better to tell
Aunt Hannah all; but each time he understood, or believed he did, that
by such a course he should not only be cutting himself off from all
possibility of remaining longer at the farm, but would be forfeiting
her friendship.

To his mind he would be forced to leave the farm if he told the story,
and he could not remain without doing so; therefore it seemed wisest
to run away, thus avoiding a most painful scene.

Then came the time when his eyelids rebelled against remaining open;
and in order to save himself from falling asleep it seemed necessary
to get out of bed.

Crouching by the window, after having dressed himself, he gazed out
over the broad fields that were bathed by the moonlight, and pictured
to himself the pleasure of viewing them night after night with the
knowledge that they formed a portion of his home. And then, such a
revery being almost painful, he nerved himself for what was to be done
by taking Snip in his arms. The dog was sleeping soundly, and Seth
whispered in a voice which was far from being steady:

"It's too bad, old man; but we can't help ourselves. You'll be sorry
not to see Gladys when you wake; but you won't feel half so bad as I
shall, 'cause I know what a slim chance there is of our ever strikin'
another place like this."

Then he opened the door softly, still holding Snip in his arms.

Not a sound could be heard; he crept to the head of the stairs and
listened intently.

It was as if he and Snip were the only occupants of the house. Seth
had no very clear idea as to how long he had been in the chamber; but
it seemed as if at least two hours had passed since Aunt Hannah bade
him good-night, and there was no reason why he should not begin