“Here, Uncle ’Sias, give this to Sereny from me.” “Yes, Miss Em. Thanky, honey! I understands! You give me this for Sereny ’cause yer think maybe it’ll save me from a performance. Which you may be sure it will, honey. But I ain’t a-gwine to leabe you here, Miss Em. I gwine to see yer safe t’rough dese woods and in sight ob de house ennyhow,” said old ’Sias as he persistently trotted by the young girl’s side, guarding her with the fidelity of a Newfoundland dog. It was surprising, too, to see how fast the little old man could get on with the aid of his short, thick stick, which, at every step, he put down with the vim of a third foot. They soon came out of the thickest woods to where the trees grew farther apart, under the walls of the manor-house. They diverged to the right, where the broad gate leading to the rear of the premises stood open, and through which they could see the firelight gleaming from the windows of the Red Wing. Here the old man stopped and said: “I’ll bid yer good-night here, Miss Em., and hurry back home. No use to try Sereny’s temper more’n necessary, if I has got a silver half dollar to satisfy her. So I’ll bid you good-night, and de Lord bless you, honey.” “And you, too, Uncle ’Sias, good-night, and thanks,” answered Em. as she entered the gate and walked rapidly towards the lighted windows of her cheerful home. CHAPTER XX REVIVAL ’Twas many and many a year ago, In days when we were young, And o’er all life’s coming morning, lo! Hope’s magic glory hung. PERSEVER. “Well, Em. Palmer, and where have you been? I had been expecting you home for more’n an hour, and was just thinking of sending Tom to look for you, for fear something had happened to you!” exclaimed Susan Palmer on seeing her daughter enter the house. “I have been nowhere but to Edengarden, mother,” answered the girl as she threw off her shawl and bonnet and prepared to help the busy housewife, who was actively engaged in preparing the supper, while the three little girls were all employed in setting the table. “But what kept you so long? It’s dangerous for a young girl to stay out so late in these woods!” “Oh, dear mother, I was safe enough! Old ’Sias came with me up to the gate; and as for what kept me,” said the girl, coming up close to the side of the woman, “I will tell you that as soon as we are alone.” “I—I hope it was no harm!” whispered Susan anxiously. “None in the world, dear mother, but something that you will be glad to hear, and, _hush_, I can’t tell you here! But where is Aunt Monica that you should be getting supper?” inquired Em. aloud. “Oh, Aunt Monica is a fixture at the bedside of Ann Whitlock!” answered Susan. “Ann Whitlock! What, is she sick? She was well enough when I left home!”