“But think of the narrow place he was in,” said Rob’s mother. “I tremble all over now to think of it.” “Let it pass, mother. I do not think I shall lose anything by it. At any rate, I feel better than I did when I started down to the town, and I am going to look for better times.” Rob’s hopefulness afforded comfort to the others, and the next morning found them all more light-hearted than they had been before, in spite of the ominous notice at their door. “I’ve a mind to tear it down,” said Larry. “Better save your strength to work that shovel in the sod, Larry,” said Little Hickory, with a laugh. “You know yesterday----” “I’m sore and lame now, so I-- hello! what’s up?” “There’s somebody coming here. He looks like a real gentleman. He--here he comes!” The exclamation was caused by the sudden appearance of Tom and Jerry, who appeared hatless, barefooted and very much out of breath. In a moment great confusion and excitement reigned about the coal camps, while the occupants swiftly disappeared from the scene with the exception of Rob, Larry and Joe Willet, though half a dozen heads soon appeared at the low doorways. Rob’s misapprehension quickly disappeared as he caught sight of the approaching person. “Why, it’s Dr. Menter,” he said, in a low tone, while in a louder voice he addressed the newcomer: “Good-morning, sir. I hope you are well, and that it is not any bad news that you fetch to Break o’ Day?” “In the name of goodness, are you living here?” demanded the physician, allowing his usual polite speech to be overcome by his surprise. “Yes, sir.” “I supposed you were stopping in the red house. The deacon owns that.” “It wasn’t convenient, sir, at the time.” “But these sod camps are not fit for a pig to live in, let alone human beings.” “We hope to get into better houses some time, sir.” Dr. Menter had discovered the notice posted by the selectmen, and when he had hastily run it over, he exclaimed: “Have they gone as far as that? When was that put up?” “Yesterday afternoon, sir.” “Well, well; that beats me. ’Squire Hardy is behind it. For some reason he does not like you, and I had rather have half of the town against me than the ’squire. What do you propose to do about it?” “We haven’t decided yet, sir.” “Let me see! Ha, that’s it! I tell you what I would do inside of an hour. Move up into the old red house. That happens to stand over the line in another town, and I do not believe you will be troubled there. At any rate, the authorities of Basinburg cannot disturb you, as long as you do no harm inside its boundaries.” Rob was quick to catch upon this information, and it gave him a ray of hope immediately. “You are very kind, sir, and we shall do as you say. But I do not know how we can get the sick ones up there.” “Got sick ones, have you? Let me see them. As I didn’t come up here professionally there will be no charge.”