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 that strongly suggested the idea he considered it quite the opposite, as he again faced the whole Watson family on their porch, and shook hands with Ruth's mother, who had come forward and said, "Truly, John, I do not know how to thank thee; thee must read my heart."

"Heart-reading is often a difficult task," John replied, and his eyes wandered towards Ruth, who was anxious that the interview should end, for she was very curious to know how that letter from England concerned her. Holding out her hand with an air that made her step-father frown and stare, she said, "Good-by, John; I am obliged to thee for seeing me across the ferry." And he, taking the hint, bade the assembled family farewell and turned towards his shop.

"Is it possible thee requires John's assistance to cross the ferry, Ruth? Could thee not take one of the boys with thee, if thee must go so frequently to Robert Pearson's?" asked Matthew, with a tone that had more suggestiveness than the mere words.

"John offered to come, seeing I was alone,