"Tell your mother I'm sorry, very sorry, Kit. I'll come back to you soon," said Ben, as he put Kit's hand gently on one side. "But I can't come in now;" and he nodded to the lady. He took a few quick steps forward, and was out of reach but not out of hearing as both cried after him, "Don't go away," and the stranger added, "Be a brave little soldier for Jesus, and don't run away." But Ben, though he hesitated a moment, went on with rapid steps towards the country. Soon he began to run, and, after a few minutes, they lost sight of him. Then they went inside the cottage and found Mrs. Gray hushing baby Harry to sleep. She laid him down and then turned with surprise to hear what Mrs. Frankham had to tell of Ben and his fight with Jim Snow. "I hope you will excuse me for intruding upon you," she said, "but I am really sorry for the little fellow. I believe he was teased by the big boy, for I had been watching them for some minutes; his temper got the better of him, but I think he is very grieved about it." Mrs. Gray thanked Mrs. Frankham for coming in, and then told her all she knew of Ben's history, and how he had only been with her for a short time. "He is a very wise little fellow, and so kind and willing. We are very fond of him, and should be sorry, indeed, if any harm came to him. But I think he'll come back, for the love he bears our Kittie," she said. "Him said he'd come back," cried Kit, with quivering lip and eyes brimful of tears. "So he will, dear. Don't fret," said her mother, "it isn't good for you." Before Mrs. Frankham left, she said that when passing again she would like to call and speak a word to the little fellow, for she felt sure he was trying to do right from what he had said to her. "You have taught him about the Lord Jesus, Mrs. Gray?" "I sometimes think he has taught me more, for many a word he has said about Jesus has gone deep into my heart." "Poor little fellow, he will be sorry; we have such a foe to contend with. Tell him, from me, that if he loves the Saviour he must take Him as his Captain, and He will give him strength to stand as a good soldier, and not to yield to Satan and be overcome." CHAPTER VII. BEN'S RETURN. The afternoon passed wearily to little Kit and her mother, for Ben did not return. They went to the gate many times to look for him, and walked some way up the road, but Ben was not to be seen. Tea-time came, and Harry Gray returned. He was very vexed and disappointed. "I hoped that we should be able to keep him and train him up well, for he gave good promise in many ways; it will be a pity if he goes back to the old place." "Ben said he would come back, and him speaks true. Him's the _truest_ boy, father," urged Kit. "Jesus can see him, and will make him came back." "Your faith is strong, darling, I shall go out after tea, and try to find him."