"Well, I swear I won’t, so help me," and he raised his hand as if being sworn. "I’d stop drinkin’ first, my little bantam," he added in a lighter mood and as if to clinch the matter. "Thank you; I know you’ll do as you say," I answered, relieved. "You bet your life I will; an’ if Moth troubles you again, I’ll break every bone in his nasty little body. Mr. Lincoln’s the man for him, though, and a strange one he is, too. One minute so homely he’d sour milk, and the next you look up expectin’ to see the angels peerin’ through the clouds an’ listenin’ to what he says." Saying which, Blott reached out and took hold of my shoulders, as if to embrace me, but thinking better of it, turned and went his way. Overjoyed, I hastened after Uncle Job, whom I found some distance off, still waving his handkerchief to Miss Betty, who stood watching from the boat. When we reached the town, which lay a little back from the river, we went directly to Cousin Rolland’s office, which proved to be a very poor affair indeed, being over a store, and having nothing in it save a few pieces of rough furniture. When he caught sight of Uncle Job, as we mounted the stairs, he hastened to the landing to receive him; and very glad he was indeed, if his reception was a sign, for he took both Uncle Job’s hands in his and held them as if he would never let go. When at last Uncle Job was able to explain who I was and why we came, he embraced me affectionately, saying with great heartiness: "I am glad to welcome you, Cousin Gilbert. It is so long since I have seen any of my kin that it does my eyes good." "I’m glad to see you, Cousin Rolland, I am sure," I replied, much pleased with his kind reception and cordial manner. "We will be great friends and have many a lark together, depend upon it," he went on, as he ushered us into his office. When Uncle Job explained his plans for circumventing Aunt Jane, Cousin Rolland manifested the greatest enthusiasm, and at a hint of the possibility of a visit from Moth, he shook the goose-quill he held in such a savage, menacing way that I felt at last that here I was safe. When everything had been concluded to our satisfaction. Uncle Job spoke of our new cousin and her willingness to receive me as one of her family. At this Cousin Rolland seemed to remember her for the first time, for at mention of her name his manner changed, and though he continued to murmur words of welcome, he was not by any means the same as before. However, after some stirring about the office, he was more at ease, bursting out anew, and in the most animated way: