Such was the state of affairs when Master Byles Gridley was one morning surprised by an early call from Myrtle. He had a volume of Walton's Polyglot open before him, and was reading Job in the original, when she entered. "Why, bless me, is that my young friend Miss Myrtle Hazard?" he exclaimed. "I might call you _Keren-Happuch_, which is Hebrew for Child of Beauty, and not be very far out of the way,--Job's youngest daughter, my dear. And what brings my young friend out in such good season this morning? Nothing going wrong up at our ancient mansion, The Poplars, I trust?" "I want to talk with you, dear Master Gridley," she answered. She looked as if she did not know just how to begin. "Anything that interests you, Myrtle, interests me. I think you have some project in that young head of yours, my child. Let us have it, in all its dimensions, length, breadth, and thickness. I think I can guess, Myrtle, that we have a little plan of some kind or other. We don't visit Papa Job quite so early as this without some special cause,--do we, Miss Keren-Happuch?" "I want to go to the city--to school," Myrtle said, with the directness which belonged to her nature. "That is precisely what I want you to do myself, Miss Myrtle Hazard. I don't like to lose you from the village, but I think we must spare you for a while." "You're the best and dearest man that ever lived. What could have made you think of such a thing for me, Mr. Gridley?" "Because you are ignorant, my child,--partly. I want to see you fitted to take a look at the world without feeling like a little country miss. Has your Aunt Silence promised to bear your expenses while you are in the city? It will cost a good deal of money." "I have not said a word to her about it, I am sure I don't know what she would say. But I have some money, Mr. Gridley." She showed him a purse with gold, telling him how she came by it. "There is some silver besides. Will it be enough?"