'Ay!' answered Mr. Lockwood, coughing down his emotion at the young boy's
forethought and care for his sisters. 'If it pleases God, my boy, you
will live to make a right good, true-hearted Christian man; but if He
should take you home before me, I'll befriend your sisters as long as I
live. I like your Miss Anne, Stephen; but your master is a terrible
rascal, I fear.'

'Yes, sir,' said Stephen quietly.

'You don't say much about him, however,' replied Mr. Lockwood, smiling at
his few words.

'Please, sir, I am trying to love my enemies,' he answered, with a
feeling of shyness; 'if I was to call him a rascal, or any other bad
word, it 'ud throw me back like, and it's very hard work anyhow. I feel
as if I'd like to do it sometimes.'

'You are right, Stephen,' said Mr. Lockwood; 'you are wise in keeping
your tongue from evil speaking: for "therewith bless we God, even the
Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude
of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing." You have
taught an old parson a lesson, my boy. You had better leave your money
with me until my lawyer gives us his opinion. Now go home in peace, and
serve your master faithfully; but if you should need a friend before I
return, come here and ask for the clergyman who is going to take my duty.
I will tell him about you, and he will help you until I come home.'

That afternoon Stephen retraced his lonely path across the hills in great
gladness of heart; and when he came to Fern's Hollow, he leaped lightly
down the bank against which the old stove-pipe had been reared as a