The books, and the manner of sending them, were a puzzle to Mr. Sutherland. He could make nothing of it. But with the wisdom of the selection and the value of the books he was fully acquainted, and praised them to Tom’s fullest satisfaction. Lillie lost herself among the picture cards, and would hardly be aroused when her father, after a long examination of Tom’s treasures, asked her if she was not ready to go. But she had leave to look a while longer, for the people, returning from the field, having heard--for the news flew--of the arrival of the books, all stopped at Aunt Margaret’s cabin on their way home, to have a peep at them. Mr. Sutherland stayed to look and listen, for their interest and excitement were a marvel to him. “If Tom can read all these, he must be mighty learned,” said one of the women, touching them with the tips of her fingers. “Not very, auntie,” replied Tom, laughing. “Won’t we feel big,” said another, “when we gets all these shining words hangin’ round that cabin?” “I expect we will,” Tom replied, “but we will feel a great deal more proud when we get the shining words so stamped on our hearts that we can never get them out.” All this was a leaf in the history of these people that Mr. Sutherland had never before taken the trouble to turn over; and now that it lay open before him, he was both puzzled and surprised. By and by, however, he took Lillie’s hand, and as he turned to go back to the house, he said to Tom, “By the way, I wish you would walk over with us. I find there are some accounts which arrived this morning, which require some explanation before they are copied, and I am going away early in the morning.” So Tom, hastily putting aside the precious books, took his way back with them. Midway between the cabin and the house the workmen of the place were engaged in putting up a store-house, which was to be in readiness for the gathering in of the cotton crop. The men at work were unskilled in their task, and had caused Mr. Sutherland much anxiety by the clumsy way in which they were rearing the building. Just as he came opposite them this afternoon, they were raising a heavy beam by means of ropes and pulleys, with a great deal of noise and very little work. Mr. Sutherland, with an exclamation of impatience, stopped his words and his walk, and came up to where they were at work--the two, Tom and Lillie, following. He spoke to the workmen rather severely for a few moments, and then stopped to direct the work. His two companions, interested in the raising of the beam, stood under the shadow of the unfinished part, watching. Mr. Sutherland stood just outside giving orders, and the beam was slowly finding its way to the top, when there was a sudden strain of the ropes, and they cracked and parted.