But William Rives was no fool.... He said to himself that it behooved him to see Miss Lydia before Mrs. Barkley had a chance to impart to her those impolite views regarding himself. And that was why, as she was still sitting at her kitchen table, twinkling with happiness over the kindness of her world and piling her gold pieces in a little leaning tower, William knocked at the door. Miss Lydia threw an apron over the small, glittering heap and ran to let her caller in. When she saw who it was she whipped off the apron to display her wealth; the tears stood in her eyes, and her happy heart burst into words: "How good people are! Just think--$100! Why, it takes my breath away--" "It is a large sum of money," William said, solemnly, touching the gold with respectful fingers. "I would suggest a bank until you pay for the mending of your chimney. And you will get some interest if you defer payment for ninety days." "Mending my chimney?" Miss Lydia said, thoughtfully. "Well--that wouldn't take nearly all this." William's face brightened. "You are right to be prudent, Lydia," he said. "I admire prudence in a female; but still, masons and carpenters--in fact, all persons of that sort,--are--thieves!" Then he coughed delicately. "Lydia," he said, "I--I have been thinking--" "Yes?" said Miss Lydia, calmly. "We are so situated--each alone, that perhaps we might--we might, ah--marry--to our mutual advantage?" "_Marry?_" "Yes," William said, earnestly; "I should be pleased to marry, Lydy. I need a home. My health is not very good, and I need a home. You need a home, also." "Indeed I don't!" she said; "I've got a home, thank you." "I haven't," William said; and Lydia's blue eyes softened. "I am not very strong," he said ("though I see no reason why I should not live to old age); but I want a home. Won't you take me, Lydy?" Miss Lydia frowned and sighed. "I am very well satisfied as I am," she said; "but perhaps that is a selfish way to look at it." "Yes, it is," he told her, earnestly; "and you didn't use to be selfish, Lydia." Miss Lydia sighed again. "I suppose I could make you comfortable, William." "Do take me, Lydy," he entreated. And somehow or other, before she quite knew it, she had consented. As soon as the word was spoken, William arose with alacrity. "I don't like to be out in the night air," he said, "so I'll say good-night, Lydy. And, Lydy--shall we, for the moment, keep this to ourselves?" "Oh yes," said Miss Lydia, getting very red, "I'd rather, for the present." Then, smiling and friendly, she went out with him, bare-headed, to the gate. There William hesitated, swallowed once, rubbed his hands nervously, and then suddenly gave her a kiss. Miss Lydia Sampson jumped. "Oh!" she said; and again, "_Oh!_"