"No, honey. Have your good times while ye may, my pretty creetur.
It's mighty nice of the Camerons to take you away with them. You go
and have a good time. Your trunk's all packed and ready, and your
young friend, Helen, would be dreadful disappointed if you didn't go.
Now, let's go down and git breakfast. Jabez has been up for some time
and I heard him just go out to the mill. That boy must be up and
dressed by now, for if he had been sick, Jabez would have hollered up
the stairs about it."

She was right. Fred Hatfield was completely dressed when they came
into the kitchen. Ruth did not look at him, but busied herself with
the details of getting breakfast. She did not speak to him, nor did
Fred speak to her. But Aunt Alvirah was as cheerful and as chatty as
ever.

Uncle Jabez was never talkative; but he was no more taciturn this
morning than was their guest. The boy ate his breakfast with downcast
eyes and only said timidly, at the end of the meal:

"I'm real obliged for your kindness, Mr. Potter. I think I'm all
right again now. Can't I do some work for you to pay--"

"I don't need another hand at the mill--and I couldn't make use of a
boy like you at all," said Mr. Potter, hastily. "You wait till Mr.
Cameron comes here this morning."

Ruth saw that there was an understanding between her uncle and Mr.
Cameron regarding this boy. But Fred said, still hesitating:

"If--if I can't do anything to repay you, I'd rather go on. I was