crouching down upon the step.

"I certainly do not know what I am doing," admitted Mr. Cameron.
"But that is your fault, not mine. If you would trust us--"

"I can't!" cried the boy, shaking as though with a chill.

"Then, you come along, young man," commanded the merchant.

He put a hand upon Fred's shoulder and the boy wriggled out from
under it and started to run. But Tom had got out of the automobile
and seemed rather expecting this move. He sprang for the other boy
and held him.

"Here! hold on!" he cried. "Put on this old overcoat of mine that
I've brought along, It's going to be cold riding. Put it on--and then
get into the auto with us. Aw, come on! What are you afraid of?
We aren't going to eat you."

Snivelling, but ceasing his struggles, Fred Hatfield got into the
coat Tom offered him, and entered the car. Ruth said never a word,
but she looked very grave.

Uncle Jabez came to the door of the mill and Ruth ran to him and
kissed the old miller goodbye. Not that he returned the kiss; Uncle
Jabez looked as though he had never kissed anybody since he was born!
But Aunt Alvirah hugged and caressed her "pretty creetur" with a
warmth that made up for the miller's coldness.

"Bless ye, deary!" crooned the little old woman, enfolding Ruth in