"What can I say, aunt?" murmured Phoebe, her eyes filled with tears. "Say, my dear, 'I am glad my aunt treats me as she would treat her own child.' I have served you just as I would serve Fanny." "I shall never be able to repay you, dear aunt." "You are repaying me, Phoebe, every day of your life." The gratitude which filled Phoebe's heart had something sacred in it. But, indeed, that happy house was more than a home to the young girl--it was a sanctuary. Therefore Phoebe, unloved and neglected as she was in Parksides, was perfectly happy on the day before her birthday. She would be able to make her tea-table quite gay, and she went to the village and laid out to great advantage the money her aunt had put in her purse. "Good afternoon, Miss Phoebe." It was Jeremiah Pamflett who accosted her. He was on a visit to the miser, with books and papers under his arm. "Good afternoon," said Phoebe, who was also carrying parcels. She would have hurried on and left him, after these salutations, but he was too quick for her. "Won't you shake hands with me, Miss Phoebe?" "I can't; they are full." "Where there's a will there's a way. You had better shake hands with me, or your father will be angry when I tell him." This threat served him. Phoebe managed to extend her hand, which he took and held in his for a longer time than was necessary. "What a pretty hand you have, Miss Phoebe?" She shrank at the compliment, and snatched her hand from his grasp. He did not take umbrage at this action, pretending not to notice it. "We are both going home, Miss Phoebe. May I offer you my arm?" "I can do quite well without, thank you," said Phoebe. "And as well with. I always like to be polite to ladies; a gentleman can't do less. Let me carry a parcel or two for you. I shall tell your father that I assisted you, and he will be pleased. I do all his business for him, you know, and he has the greatest confidence in me. I do all I can to deserve it, I am sure. Thank you. Don't you feel more comfortable now? I should if I was a young lady, and a gentleman had insisted upon helping me."