Startled at the unexpectedness of the question, the man stammered confusedly, "I--no--I can't--not yet. I have reasons for preferring to handle the matter in this manner at present. You need have no scruples. I earned every cent of _this_ money; it is my very own. The child saved my life, and I owe her whatever help I can give her. This is a little sum, but it is the best I can do just now. Will you take it and do as I ask?" Still the doctor hesitated. "Then see here, perhaps I can convince you of the truth of what I say. Read this." He laid on the table before the doctor a written document which the physician carefully perused, and laid back on the table. "Do you believe me now?" "Yes." "And will you take the money for the little girl?" "Yes, but I wish I could convince you that it would be better for you to go to Mr. Catt--" "Not yet, not yet! I can't meet him yet. He mustn't know who I am yet. When I have righted the wrong, then I will come back; but for the present I would ask you to keep my secret and see that the little girl is sent to school. You will do this?" "To the best of my ability." They shook hands and out into the darkness the hermit went. CHAPTER XIII AUNT MARIA DECIDES THE QUESTION "Behind him lay the gray Azores, Behind the gates of Hercules; Before him not the ghost of shores, Before him only shoreless seas. The good mate said: 'Now must we pray, For lo! the very stars are gone; Speak, Admiral, what shall I say?' 'Why say, sail on! and on!' There goes another cup. I am always forgetting and letting my hands fly when I speak. Yes, Aunt Maria, I am coming." "Hurry up with those dishes, Tabitha, I want you to run down to the McKittrick's and get me that pattern she promised to loan me. Child, what have you done? I don't know what we will eat out of when you get all these dishes broken. How did you smash that?" "It banged against the door when I opened it." "I'll warrant you were haranguing around with another new piece. Why don't you pay attention to what you are doing until it is finished, and then do your reciting?" "I just hate to wash dishes and dust and sweep, Aunt Maria, but I forget all about it when I am speaking and get through with them lots quicker." "Yes, but see how many dishes you break, and the things you spill because you will flap your arms about like a Dutch windmill instead of keeping them in the dishpan where they belong. I do wish you would learn to do one thing at a time." "It is of no use, Aunt Maria. My thoughts won't stay on dishes, try as hard as I will to keep them there. There isn't anything splendid or inspiring in a pile of dirty dishes or those dusty chairs, is there? But those poems are simply grand! I am the best speaker at school, but I have to practice all I can to keep ahead. Just listen to this: