“Well,” returned Mr. Sutherland, “I don’t know that I care much; but mind, if there is any disturbance I will put an end to it at short notice.” Tom thanked him with a face full of pleasure, and returned to his work with a glad heart. That evening, just after his work at the house was finished, and just before school-time, he went down to the quarters and visited the people. With a great deal of timidity and faint-heartedness he knocked at the first cabin door, but it was here his round of joy began. He used in years after to look back upon the pretty twilight walk with utter joy, and never without a fresh desire in his heart to work for that Lord who always gives the wherewithal when we have the spirit. “It’s Tom Alson,” said the little child who opened the first cabin door, and Tom heard his welcome from within: “Come in, Tom, here’s supper just ready,” said Aunt Polly’s voice, “and you must have somethin’, sure. It’s a fine ev’nin’, isn’t it?” “Beautiful, Aunt Polly, but I must not stop. We are going to have a Sunday-school in the log-house behind the quarters Sunday afternoon, and I came to find out whether you would come.” “Is you gwine to be thar?” asked she. “Certainly, Aunt Polly.” “Then I’ll come, sure. Bring the chil’ens, did you say? I reckon I will if you want them. Why, do you know Polly and Becky?” for the children had given Tom a very glad greeting. “Yes’m, I know them,” he replied; “we are quite old friends. Now I must go; good-bye.” And so on to the next house, and the next, and the next--everywhere a warm greeting and a petition that he would stay; everywhere the children ran, for Tom had in no way neglected to make their acquaintance long ago, thinking always that he might leave with them of the sweet Bible words on which he lived. His heart grew bigger and bigger with thankful delight and pleasure as his list swelled. Two or three places he was obliged to stop to explain the evening lesson or read a few words, so that when he reached the step of Aunt Margaret’s cabin it was almost dark. To any but Tom the experience of the afternoon might have brought a little feeling of his own importance and the respect in which these people held him, but there was nothing of that--only a devout thankfulness and a longing to have Martha with him to share his joy.