"I wanted to learn things! I wanted to go to school. I prayed to have
father's heart softened, but it stayed--rocky. Then I began to worship
this"--the right hand waved toward the bleached and grinning skull--"and
my wish came true. I told the schoolmaster. Do you know Mr. Anton
Farwell?"

"I've heard of him."

"I told him I wanted to learn, and after he got through laughing he said
he'd been sent by my god to teach me all I wanted to know; but of course
he can't do that!"

"Do what?" Travers was fascinated by the child's naïvety.

"Teach me all I want to know. Why, I'm going to suffer and know many
things!"

"Good Lord!" ejaculated Travers; "you won't mind if I laugh?"

"I don't think there's anything to laugh at!" Priscilla held him sternly.
"Have you ever suffered?"

The laugh died from Travers's face.

"Suffered!" he repeated. "Yes! yes!"

"Well, doesn't it pay--when you get what you want and know things?"

"Why, see here, youngster--it does! You've managed to dig out of your