"Brandon would like to leave Waterford, but I don't believe he wants to work. It is all the better for me." "I don't believe in boys being idle, but there's no call for Brandon Bates to work if he don't want to. The squire's rich enough." And then the carpenter's brow contracted in perplexity. He couldn't understand why a rich man should take what did not belong to him, and he had never got over the impression made on him on the day of the robbery by the long tusk-like teeth of the masked figure. "Father," said Mrs. Dunham anxiously, "do you think it's safe for a boy as young as Dean to go out into the world alone? He's only a child." "I'm almost sixteen, aunt," said Dean mortified. "But you don't know nothin' of the world." "Neither do you or I, wife, though we're both risin' sixty. Dean has got to take his chances. I hope this Kirby's a likely man. What does he look like, Dean?" "Well, I don't fancy his appearance much," Dean admitted. "He is very dark and sallow, and there's something queer about the eyes. But I suppose he can't help his looks." "Handsome is that handsome does," replied Mrs. Dunham. "I've heard tell that villains is sometimes very scrumptious in appearance." "I guess he's all right, aunt. He didn't make himself, you know." "I wish you hadn't got to go to New York alone, Dean. Don't you think Mr. Kirby'd wait a day, and then you could go with him?" "I want to go alone, aunt. I hope I'm smart enough to find my way." "We'll trust him, wife," said Adin Dunham. "He means we'll, and if he's keerful he'll come out all right." At length the morning came for Dean's departure. He bade good-bye to the old folks, and walked proudly to the railroad station with a bundle of clothing under his arm. Rather to his surprise he found Squire Bates at the little depot, walking up and down on the platform. "So you're starting, are you, Dean?" said the squire. "Yes, sir." "I hope you'll do your duty by your employer." "I shall try to do so, sir." "I have indorsed you, and he has taken you on my recommendation." "I ought to thank you for that, sir." "I take it for granted that you will verify the good things I have said of you. If you don't—if you throw discredit on me and on your worthy uncle and aunt, why then—" and he paused. Dean listened to hear how he would end the sentence. "Then," resumed the squire, "I honestly advise you to stay away, and not return to Waterford." "I won't come back unless I can come back with a good record," said Dean impetuously. "A good resolution! Stick to it, my lad." The train came up with a rush, and Dean got on board He was a little disturbed by the squire's parting words. Why should he harp so much on Dean's acting discreditably? "It almost seems as if he expected I would," soliloquized Dean. "If I know myself, I know that I am honest, industrious and faithful. Mr. Kirby won't be disappointed in me, unless he is an unreasonable man."