Apparently Mr. Linden was well enough pleased with such answer to his words, for he not only made no attempt to stop her, but even remarked that it was good to be of a sympathizing disposition. The day passed as usual; only of late it had got to be Faith's habit to spend a good deal of time shut up in her room. It had never been her habit before. But now, after going through her early household duties, of which Faith had plenty, she used to be out of sight often for an hour before dinner; unless when the dinner required just that hour of her attention. Nothing was left behind her to call her down. Her dairy, her bread and cake, her pies and cream-cheeses, her dinner preparations--whatever the things might be--were all ready for the day's wants; and then Faith was gone. After dinner it was still more surely the same. Yet though all this was true, it was so quietly and unobtrusively true that Mrs. Derrick had hardly observed it. It happened this afternoon that Faith lingered upstairs,--not until teatime, but until she heard her mother call. Reuben Taylor wanted to see her. He was at the gate. "I didn't want to disturb you, Miss Faith. I told Mrs. Derrick so. It's only some clams,--which I thought maybe you'd like," said Reuben modestly. "I left 'em in the kitchen." "Thank you, Reuben--I like them very much. Do you feel better than you did yesterday?" "Yes, ma'am--" said Reuben rather slowly,--"I felt a great deal better last night." "And to-day--don't you?" "Yes, ma'am," Reuben answered as before. "But not so well as last night? What's the matter, Reuben?" "Didn't you hear what they did last night, ma'am?" "To be sure I did, but what has made you feel worse to-day?" "Why you know, ma'am," said Reuben, "last night I forgot all about everybody but Mr. Linden. But oh Miss Faith! I just wish you could have been in school to-day for one minute!--when Mr. Linden came in! You see," said Reuben, excitement conquering reserve, "the boys were all there--there wasn't one of 'em late, and every one had a sprig of basswood in his hat and in his buttonhole. And we all kept our hats on till he got in, and stood up to meet him (though _that_ we do always) and then we took off our hats together and gave him such a shout!--You know, Miss Faith," added Reuben with a smile both expressive and sweet, "basswood's a kind of linden." "And what did Mr. Linden do?" said Faith with a smile of her own that very well reflected Reuben's. "He didn't say much," said Reuben,--"he _looked_ a good deal." "Well, you foolish boy," said Faith gently, "don't you feel well now, after all that? What's the matter?"