"And you think I may become a pitiable object?"

"You would be, indeed, if Mrs. Yocomb condemned you."

"Lead on," I exclaimed, with a gesture of mock tragedy; "this is the
hour of destiny."




CHAPTER VII

A FRIEND


"Richard Morton," said Mrs. Yocomb, as she sat down encouragingly near
me in the low-studded parlor, "thee does not look into my eyes as if
thee had a great burden on thy conscience."

"I have a great fear in my heart," I said.

"The two should go together," she remarked a little gravely; "and
strength will be given thee to cast away both."

The spirit of jesting left me at once, and I know that I looked into
her kind motherly face very wistfully and appealingly. After a moment
I asked:

"Mrs. Yocomb, did you ever treat an utter stranger so kindly before?"