The boy could not find words. He could only stare at her. “That's all,” said Miss Gladys. “And about those flower seeds--do what you can to find them. I want them in a few days, if I'm to use them at all. Do you understand?” “Y-yes, Miss Gladys,” he stammered. He had seen her dart a swift glance at the housekeeper, and he was beginning at last to comprehend. “Bring them to me yourself,” she added. “Good-by.” “Good-by, Miss Gladys,” he said, and went out. He went downstairs, marveling. But before he was halfway down the first flight of steps he had forgotten everything except those incredible words--“Samuel, I love you!” They rang in his head like a trumpet call. He could not hold himself in. He could not carry away such a secret. Sophie went to the door with him; and he took her outside and whispered it to her. The child stared at him, with awe in her eyes. “Samuel!” she whispered, “she must mean to marry you!” The boy started in dismay. “Marry me!” he gasped. “Marry me!” “Why, yes!” said Sophie. “What else can she mean?” That was a poser. “But--but--” he cried. “It's absurd!” “It's not, Samuel! She loves you!” “But I'm nothing but a poor boy!” “But, Samuel, she has plenty of money!” It had not occurred to Samuel that way; but he had to admit that it was true. “But I'm not good enough,” he protested. “You are good enough for anyone!” cried Sophie. “You are noble and beautiful--and she has found it out. And she means to stoop and lift you up to her.” The boy was silent, stricken with awe. “Oh, Samuel, it is just like in the fairy stories!” whispered the child. “You are to be the prince!” So she went on, pouring out the wonder of it to him, and thrilling his soul to yet new flights. He left her at last and walked down the street half dazed. He was to marry Miss Gladys! Yes, it must be true, for she had told him that she loved him! And then, presumably, he would come to live in that great palace. How could he ever stand it? What would he do? And he would be a rich man! A great surge of triumph came to him. What would the people at home say--what would his brothers think when he went to pay them a visit, and perhaps to buy the old place? But he put these thoughts away from him. He must not think of such things--it was selfish and ignoble. He must think of the good that he would be able to do with all the money. He might help the poor at last. He and Miss Gladys would devote their lives to this. Perhaps some day he might even own the mill where the children worked, and he would be able to send them all to school! And he would be a member of the Lockman family, in a way--he might even have some influence over Master Albert! And Ethel and Dr. Vince--how happy they would be when they heard of his good fortune!