"Ah, yes! I remember what you said. It's time you explained."

"Not yet." And I turned and answered Adah's perplexed and frowning
brow.

"You will find me in that paper, Miss Adah, as one of its chief
faults. I am one of its editors, and this fact will reveal to you the
calling from which I and many others, no doubt, have suffered. Thus
you see that, after all, I have revealed my secret to you only. To
your mother I revealed myself. I hope, sir, you will not reverse your
decision?" I said to Mr. Yocomb.

The old gentleman laughed heartily as he answered, "I have had my say
about editors in general. Mother and--I may add--something in thy own
manner, has inclined me to except present company. But I'll read thy
paper since Emily Warren takes it, so thee'd better beware."

I saw that Adah was regarding me with complacency, and seemed
meditating many other questions. I had fully decided, however, that
while I should aim to keep her goodwill I would not permit her to make
life a burden by her inane chatter, or by any sense of proprietorship
in me. She must learn, as speedily as possible, that I was not one of
her "half-dozen young men."

"Richard Morton, thee can keep thy room, and I hope thee will not find
our quiet, homely ways irksome, since we cannot greatly change them,"
said my hostess.

"I have a request to make, Mrs. Yocomb," I replied earnestly; "and I