"Yes ma'am, we're anxious--and husband is anxious about Mr. Linden, and he sent me to know. But there is such a change in Phil, ma'am,"--she said turning to Mrs. Somers,--"such a change, you wouldn't believe! he never would go to school before--not regular--not for nobody--not for his father, nor for me; and it was mor'n my life was worth. My husband, he said it was my fault; but I don't know how 'twas! And now sir, he don't want a word spoke to him! he's off before it's time in the morning--and he learns too, for I catch him at it; and my husband don't think anything in the world is too good for Mr. Linden; nor of course, I s'pose, I don't. But however he's managed or overcome it, to make Phil draw in harness, _I _don't know, and husband says he don't. And ma'am, was those pears good? or what _does_ Mr. Linden like? If it's on the farm he'll get it." It would have taken more conversational skill than Mrs. Derrick possessed, to give a summary answer to all this; but her simplicity answered as well, after all. "I guess he'll like what you've been saying better than anything, Mrs. Davids; I'll tell him." "Do," said Mrs. Davids. "I wisht you would. Husband would have said it completer. He thinks ma'am," (turning to Mrs. Somers again) "that Mr. Linden is a wonderful man! And I'm of the opinion he's handsome." Faith had been sitting, quiet and demure, for some time past, hearing what was going on; but this last sentence drove her to the right about like lightning. She found something to do in another part of the room. "Did you ever hear anybody say he wasn't?" said Mrs. Somers. "Mr. Somers, it's time we were going. Ah--there's Squire Stoutenburgh! Faith--come here!" And Squire Stoutenburgh, appearing in the doorway like the worthy father of his stout son, bowed to the company. "Well Mrs. Derrick--" he said,--"good day Mr. Somers--_and_ Mrs. Somers! I beg pardon--Well Miss Faith! I'm glad it is well, I'm sure. My dear, how do you do?" "Why very well, sir!" said Faith. "Why so it is!" said Squire Stoutenburgh taking hold of both her hands and looking at her. "Sam said you were as pale as a ghost when he carried you down to the spring--but Sam don't always see straight when he's excited. You needn't be frightened if I kiss you, my dear you know I always do, and always have--since you were a year old," said the Squire as he took his wonted privilege. Faith gravely submitted, not letting the Squire however get any further than her cheek; which ought to have contented him. "Sam was very good to me yesterday, sir," she answered. "I think, Squire," said Mr. Somers, "your son was--a--in luck, as we say. A fortunate chance! What most people would have thought no--a--disagreeable office."