"Well, you can't do anything so friendly to me as to make everything pleasant for Miss Warren. How is her favorite, Old Plod?" I asked, following him into the barn. "Old Plod be hanged! She hasn't been near him in two weeks." "What!" I exclaimed exultantly. "What's the matter with thee, Richard? Thee and Emily are both queer. I can't make you out." "Well, Reuben, we mean well; you mustn't expect too much of people." CHAPTER XVI RICHARD I came in to breakfast with Reuben, feeling that Dapple had been more of a gentleman than I had, for he had treated the maiden with gentleness and courtesy, while I had thought first of myself. She looked up at me as I entered so humbly and deprecatingly that I wished that I had bitten my tongue out rather than have spoken so harshly. Straightforward Reuben went to the girl, and, holding out his hand, said: "Emily, I want to ask thy forgiveness. I've been like a bear toward thee. Thee's the bravest girl I ever saw. No country girl would have dared to do what thee did. I didn't need to have Richard lecture me and tell me that; but I thought thee was kind of down on Richard, and I've a way of standing by my friends." With a face like a peony she turned and took both of the boy's hands as she said warmly: "Thank you, Reuben. I'd take a much greater risk to win your friendship, and if you'll give it to me I'll be very proud of it. You are going to make a genuine man." "Yes, Reuben, thee'll make a man," said his mother, with a low laugh. "Thee is as blind as a man already." I looked at her instantly, but she dropped her eyes demurely to her plate. I saw that Mr. Hearn was watching me, and so did not look at Miss Warren. "Well," said he irritably, "I don't like such escapades; and Emily, if anything of the kind happens again, I'll have to take you to a safer place." His face was flushed, but hers was very pale. "It won't happen again," she said quietly, without looking up. "Richard," said Mr. Yocomb, as if glad to change the subject, "I've got to drive across the country on some business. I will have to be gone all day. Would thee like to go with me?" "Certainly. I'll go with you to the ends of the earth." "That would be too far away from mother. Thee always pulls me back very soon, doesn't thee?" "Well, I know thee comes," replied his wife. "Don't tire Richard out; he isn't strong yet." "Richard," said Mr. Yocomb, as we were driving up a long hill, "I want to congratulate thee on thy course toward Emily Warren. Thee's a strong-minded, sensible man. I saw that thee was greatly taken with her at first, and no wonder. Besides, I couldn't help hearing what thee said when out of thy mind. Mother and I kept the children away then, and Doctor Bates had the wink from me to be discreet; but thee's been a sensible man since thee got up, and put the whole thing away from thee very bravely." "Mr. Yocomb, I won't play the hypocrite with you. I love her better than my own soul."