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 "He is not thy father, Ruth, and I wish thee would not call him so," said Robert, impatiently.

"Mother would be displeased if I did not; but he is only father in name, and this I always remember when I speak to him. I do not remember that I ever kissed him in my life."

"And you'll not kiss him good-by, I'll warrant," Robert replied; and said, further, "This, in brief, is what John and I have determined upon. You are to start—"

"To start?"

"Yes, to start, and let the finish be in other hands. You shall not be left in doubt at any stage, but must trust implicitly, that there be no failure. A misstep might work endless mischief, you know. Isn't there some sort of a saying about a misstep—well, perhaps I'm thinking of something else; but trust us, John and I, and all will be well, and how the whole province will say 'amen!'"

"Robert, thee frightens me. Is what cousin says thy counsel too?" And Ruth gave an anxious glance towards John and