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 "I cannot explain now, but trust me. I am as much thy friend as thy step-father—"

What more Robert was about to say will never be known. While he was speaking, a jaunty titmouse clung to a drooping branch of the elm that towered above them and clearly whistled, "Sweet here! sweet here!"

"Take a hint from that little bird, Ruth. Don't you know what it says? It's 'sweet here,' and I hope you'll find it so. There are the girls now, looking out of the window. Come, let's go in."

Ruth quite forgot her cares, doubts, and general conflict of emotions when with the Pearsons. Kindly greeted by the girls' mother and smothered in kisses by the girls themselves, she made one great effort to swallow the lump that was rising in her throat and succeeded. Everywhere in the house there was sunshine, though now so gloomy out of doors, and she could have kissed the grinning slaves, Rebecca and Hagar, she was so happy. Every reasonable means of enjoyment, even to a few books, had been provided, and the Pearsons were accustomed to discuss every