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 was. Well, speak to her your very first chance, for I'm sure she likes you, and then it will give her a chance to punish you for interfering with her bathing." And Robert laughed again.

"I will be guided by your advice, Friend Pearson," replied John, and might have said more, but was interrupted by Robert's remark,—

"Please call me by my name. I have seen just a little too much of this 'Friend this' and 'Friend that' to altogether like it."

"But I am a Friend," John replied, with a broad smile lighting his pleasant face.

"Yes, but of another sort."

"Good-night, father; good-night, Neighbor Bishop," was heard from the head of the stairs. "Ruth's going to bed, and so are we. Good-night."

So John saw no more of Ruth; but when, an hour later, he went out into the storm, it was with so many pleasant thoughts, that he scarcely noticed that it was still storming.