"Forgot to tell!" cried Adah. "Why, what on earth did you tell? There is nothing about you in this paper that I can find." Mr. Yocomb looked perplexed, and I saw Miss Warren's quick glance at Mrs. Yocomb, who smiled back reassuringly. "Father," she said, "Richard Morton wishes to stay with us for a time, I have told him that he was welcome, and that thee would tell him so, too. I think thee will. Thee may ask him any questions thee pleases. I am satisfied." "Thee is mistress of thy home, mother, and if thee's satisfied I am. Richard Morton, thee's welcome. Thee was wise to get mother on thy side." "So I instinctively felt ever since I saw her at the meeting-house door." "Perhaps mother gave thee a bit of a sermon?" "She has given me two things that a man can't be a man without--hope and courage." "Well, thee does kind of look as if thee had plucked up heart." "You, too, are catching the infection of this home," Miss Warren said, in a low voice, as she stood near me. "So soon? I feel that I shall need an exposure of several weeks. There is now but one obstacle in the way." "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 shall derive no pleasure or benefit from my sojourn with you unless you grant it. It is, that your family life may go on just the same as if I were not here. As surely as I see that I am a source of restraint or extra care and trouble, you will drive me out into the wilderness again. You know why I wish to stay with you," I added meaningly. "We shall take thee at thy word," said Mrs. Yocomb, with a smile on her lips but a very wistful, kindly light in her eyes.