Faith laughed, and kissed her and kissed her; but did not take that moment to say what she thought--that Mrs. Derrick would have to let her go again in a few days perhaps, and for Miss Danforth herself. Then her eye glanced at the tea-table, as it might at an ungoverned kingdom--or a vacated sphere; and the fulness of her heart broke out. "Mother!--I'm glad to be home again!" The tone said it yet more than the words. And then with a sudden movement, she went off a step to Mr. Linden and held out her hand to him, albeit ever so little shyly. The hand was taken and kept, his eyes taking a quiet survey of her the while. "Miss Faith, you want to be set to work! Some people will neglect themselves if they have a chance." "I haven't done much work since I have been away, Mr. Linden." He smiled--what was he reading in her face? "You don't know what you have done, child," he said. "But she looks glad, Mrs. Derrick,--and we are very glad to have her." Whereupon Faith was conducted to the tea-table without more delay; Mrs. Derrick feeling sure that she was starving both with cold and hunger. Faith had no appearance of being cold; and though she certainly did eat her supper as if she was glad to be at home, it was not with the air of a person with whom his bread and butter is the first thought. Gladness shone in every look and movement; but at the same time over all the gladness there was a slight veil; it might be gravity, but it might not be all gravity, for part of it was very like constraint; the eyes were more ready to fall than to rise; and the words, though free to come, had a great facility for running in short sentences. But Mrs. Derrick was too happy to notice such light streaks of mist in the sunshine, and talked away at a most unusual rate,--telling Faith how Mr. Linden had ridden that 'wild horse,' and had found time to teach her little class, and in general had done everything else--for everything seemed to hinge upon him. Mr. Linden himself--with now and then a word to qualify, or to make Faith laugh, took a somewhat special and quiet care of her and her wants at the table; all which seemed to Faith (in her mood) very like little gentle suggestions at that vail;--otherwise, he was rather silent. Then followed prayers, with all the sweet warm influences of the time; and then Faith might sit and talk or be silent, as she liked; rest being considered the best work for that evening. It would seem that she liked to be silent,--if that were a fair conclusion from her silence. Her eye took happy note of the familiar things in and about the room; then she sat and looked into the fireplace, as glad to see it again maybe,--or doubtful about looking elsewhere. As silently, for a few minutes, Mr. Linden took note of her: then he spoke. "Miss Faith, will you let me give you lessons all through the holidays?" She gave him a swift blushing glance and smile. "If you like to do it, Mr. Linden--and if I am here."