"Miss Faith said I might go as far as the wagon with her, sir," said Sam looking down. "The wagon is not here," said Mr. Linden,--"Mr. Skip is probably asleep." "Then I may see you home, Miss Faith?" was the joyous comment. "Sam Stoutenburgh!" said Mr. Linden again, preventing Faith's reply, and giving Sam a gentle shake. "Isn't one favour a day enough for you?" he added presently. "No sir!" said Sam boldly. "I suppose I must give way before a blue ribband," said Mr. Linden smiling, yet as if he was much inclined to lift Sam out of the way. "Miss Faith, the matter is in your hands." But Faith did not smile, and looked, or was it his fancy?--ever so little careworn. "What matter, Mr. Linden?" she said simply. "Whether you will take charge of this boy as far as his father's gate. I will try and take care of you, after that." "Will that do, Sam?" said Faith pleasantly, as she threw her scarf over her head. "I'm glad to go any distance with you, Miss Faith," said Sam, but half content--or a quarter! for that was the distance assigned him. "Well behave yourself then," said Mr. Linden, removing his hands. A parting injunction Sam's dignity would have dispensed with. CHAPTER XV. The evening was very still. A little too cool for insect voices, a little too late in the season for night birds, the soft dropping of the yellow leaves scarce stirred those already fallen. Few sounds came from the houses; for all Pattaquasset had been out, and that portion which had got home was tired and thinking of bed, while the few stragglers yet abroad were far from the late scene of action, on their lonely homeward roads. Squire Deacon, with Joe for a thorn in his side, was opening his own door for Miss Cecilia, and Miss Bethia Bezac, at 'the other side of creation,' mused over the possibility of again (without eyes) embroidering waistcoats. Thus when the clock struck eight, the earth seemed asleep and the stars at watch over it. At about that point of time, Sam Stoutenburgh and his fair companion were near the parting gate; and Sam, not supposing himself within range of other eyes, had bent down over Faith's glove in a very demonstrative manner; and she would certainly have received an unwonted proof of his devotion, if Mr. Linden--who had in truth been all the time not very far off--had not just then been very near. "Take care, Sam--" he said,--"you are exceeding directions." A remark which sent Sam through the gate with more haste than coolness, while Mr. Linden stepped forward into his place.