in my shirt sleeves would be very impolite; but for an old man like
Uncle Ephraim, who has done it all his life and who never gave it a
thought, would, in my estimation, be a very different thing. Still, Mr.
Cameron may see from another standpoint. But I would not distress
myself. That love is not worth much which would think the less of you
for anything _outré_ which Uncle Ephraim may do. If Mr. Cameron cannot
stand the test of seeing your relatives as they are, he is not worth the
long face you are wearing," and Morris pinched her cheek playfully.

"Yes, I know," Katy replied; "but if you only could manage Uncle Eph I
should be so glad."

Morris had little hope of breaking a habit of years, but he promised to
try if an opportunity should occur, and as Mrs. Hull, the housekeeper,
had by this time gathered up the articles required for the morrow,
Morris himself took the basket in his own hands and went back with Katy
across the fields, which had never seemed so desolate as to-night, when
he felt how vain were all the hopes he had been cherishing.

"God bless you, Katy, and may Mr. Cameron's visit bring you as much
happiness as you anticipate," he said as he set her basket upon the
doorstep and turned back without entering the house.

Katy noticed the peculiar tone of his voice, and again there swept over
her the same thrill she had felt when Morris first said to her, "And did
Katy like this Mr. Cameron?" but so far was she from guessing the truth
that she only feared she might have displeased him by what she had said
of Uncle Ephraim; and as an unkind word breathed against a dear friend,
even to a mutual friend, always leaves a scar, so Katy, though saying
nothing ill, still felt that in some way she had wronged her uncle; and