"Daniel," said he, "that man was my brother, and he died of cholera three days ago. He did wrong and made a lot of trouble, and he almost broke my father’s heart, but his death was an awful one, and perhaps we’d better not think about his part in this matter any more. He’s gone beyond our reach." "I didn’t know," said Dan awkwardly. "I’m sorry I said anything——" "It’s all right," said Charles heartily. "I saw how you felt, and I thought I’d better tell you all about it. I need your help, and it’s best to be frank. And now, how about it? Will you go with me to help find her? Will your family object? I’ll see to the expense, of course, and will make it as pleasant as I can for you." "I’ll go," said Dan briefly, but his tone meant a great deal. If he had lived in these days, he would have answered "Sure!" with that peculiar inflection that implies whole-souled loyalty. Charles understood the embarrassed heartiness, and took the reply as it was intended. "How soon can we start?" he asked anxiously. Every moment meant something to him, and he was impatient to be off. He took out his watch. It was quarter to six. "They told me there was a night-coach making connection with the early boat for New York. It starts at seven o’clock. Would that be too soon for you?" "That’s all right," said Daniel, in a voice that was hoarse with excitement. "I just got to change my clothes. Will you come in?" "Suppose I wait on the front stoop," suggested Charles, seeing the embarrassment in the boy’s face. "All right," said Daniel. "I won’t be long." Mrs. Butterworth looked up anxiously as Dan came into the kitchen. She had been watching the interview from the side window. "I’m goin’ to New York with one of Teacher’s friends, ma," he said, in the same tone he would have told her he was going to the village store. "Have I got a clean shirt?" "To New York!" echoed the woman, who herself had never been outside of the county. "To New York!"—aghast. "Now, you look out, Dan’l. You can’t tell ’bout strangers. He may want to get you way from your friends an’ rob you." "What is there to rob, I’d like to know? He’s welcome to all he can get." "You never can tell," said his mother, shaking her head fearfully. "You better take care, Dan’l." "What’s the matter with ye, Ma? Didn’t I tell you he’s a friend o’ Miss Montgomery? She told me all about him. We’re goin’ down to New York together to see her. Where’s my shirt? He’s invited me. You needn’t to worry. I may be gone a few days. I’ll write you a letter when I get there. I’m goin’ to take the dog. We’re goin’ on the seven o’clock stage an’ mebbe I’ll find out somethin’ about goin’ to college. I’m goin’ to college this fall if there’s any way. I don’t know whether he’s had any supper. You might give him a doughnut. He’s on the front stoop. Say, where is my clean shirt, Ma? It’s gettin’ late."