Which call Mr. Linden appropriated to himself, and not only opened the door but brought in the great dish of smoking chestnuts. Faith ran away to get plates for the party, with one of which in defiance of etiquette she served first Mr. Linden; then handed another to the Squire. "I hope they are boiled right, Mr. Linden. Have you seen any chestnuts yet this year, Mr. Deacon?" "I've seen some--but they warn't good for nothing," said the Squire rather sourly. "Thank you, Miss Faith, for your plate, but I guess I'll go." "Why stay and eat some chestnuts, Squire Deacon!" said Mrs. Derrick. "Those are Neanticut chestnuts--firstrate too." "I don't like Neanticut chestnuts--" said Squire Deacon rising--"never did,--they're sure to be wormy. Good night, Miss Faith--good night, Mr. Linden. Mrs. Derrick, this room's hot enough to roast eggs." "Why the windows are open!" said Mrs. Derrick--"and we might have had the curtains drawn back, too, but I always feel as if some one was looking in." Which remark did not delay the Squire's departure, and Mrs. Derrick followed him to the door, talking all the way. During which little 'passage' Faith's behaviour again transcended all rules. For she stood before the dish of chestnuts, fingering one or two, with a somewhat unsteady motion of the corners of her mouth; and then put both her hands to her face and laughed, her low but very merriment-speaking laugh. "Miss Faith," Mr. Linden said, "I think Job was an extraordinary man!--and the chestnuts are not so bad as they are reported, after all." Faith became grave, and endeavoured to make trial of the chestnuts, without making any answer. "Child," said Mrs. Derrick returning, "I don't think the Squire felt just comfortable--I wonder if he's well?" Which remark brought down the house. "By the way--" said Mr. Linden looking up,--"did you lose a bow of ribband from your sunbonnet, the other day at Neanticut?" Faith owned to having lost it somewhere. "I found it somewhere--" said Mr. Linden with a rather peculiar look, as he took out the bow of ribband. "Where did you find it, Mr. Linden?" "I found it here--in Pattaquasset." "Where?" But he shook his head at the question. "I think I will not tell you--you may lose it again." And all Faith's efforts could get no more from him. CHAPTER XIII. The Thursday of the great school celebration arrived; and according to Faith's unexpressed wish, the weather had continued warm. It was the very luxury of October. A day for all the senses to disport themselves and revel in luxurious beauty. But the mind of Pattaquasset was upon the evening's revel, and upon the beauty of white cambric and blue ribbands. The mind of Faith Derrick was on somewhat else. "Mother," she said, "do you know there must be a fire up in Mr. Linden's room as soon as the weather gets cold?" "Of course, child." "Well there is nothing in the world up there to put wood in."