Mr. Burns turned before entering, and cast his eyes over the horizon. Daylight was just streaking the sky from the east. Joel Burns paused, and directed his glance over the town--the town he had founded and made to flourish. Tears stood in his eyes. Wherefore? He was thinking of the time when, after Mr. Bellows's death, he had, step by step, carefully travelled over this locality, while laying plans for his future career. Here--just here--he had marked four trees to indicate the site for his house, and here he had built it. 'Oh, Sarah, why had you to leave me?' The words, uttered audibly, recalled him to himself. He opened and passed through the gate, and stepped on the piazza. 'Is that you, father?' It was his daughter's voice. He looked up and saw her at the window. 'I heard you go out, and I have been watching for you ever since. Did Mr. Meeker get off?' 'Yes.' 'Wait, father, and I will come down and take a walk with you. Wouldn't you like it?' 'Yes, dear, very much.' They walked on together in silence. Presently Sarah perceived they were going in the direction of the burying ground. Mr. Burns entered it with his daughter, and soon stood by his wife's grave. 'She left us early, my child. You do not forget her?' 'Oh no, father!' 'Do you remember all about her--_all_?' 'Yes, everything.' 'I know it--I know you do. Why is it, Sarah, that lately I feel more solitary than usual?' 'Do you, father?' 'Yes, since--' He paused, unwilling, it would seem, to finish the sentence. 'You know, father, I have not been quite so much with you since Mr. Meeker came. You are more in the office.' 'So I am. I wish--' He hesitated again. Evidently something oppressed him. Just then the first slanting rays of the morning sun gleamed over the place--pleasant rays, which seemed to change the current of Mr. Burns's thoughts, lighting up his soul as they were lighting the universe. He spoke cheerfully: "Let us run home, now. And, Sarah, won't you see that we have a very nice breakfast? Early rising has given me an appetite." CHAPTER X. All this time the stage was conveying Hiram Meeker toward his goal--toward Elihu Joslin. He reached New Haven in time for the boat, and early the following morning was in New York. At this date the town had not assumed its present magnificent proportions. Broadway, above Canal street, was lined with private residences instead of stores, and Bleecker street was one of the most fashionable in the city. Nevertheless it was already imposing, especially to a young man from the country.