"So, so, thee didst promise to forget that, Ruth, if I replace them nexttime I go to Marlborough."

"Well, so I do, except when thee does remind me. Is this a somewhat hungryangel, Joseph? Does thee think I'd much better cook another chicken?"

"He ought to be hungry, poor lad, but I doubt if he eats much. Does theeremember friend Randolph, Ruth?"

"0f course I do. But he's been dead these twelve years. Thee doesn't meanhe's come back to breakfast with us?"

Her husband put his hand on her shoulder and shook her gently. Then hekissed her. "Thee is fractious this morning, Ruth. Friend Randolph had ason, thee dost mind, whom Robert Hawthorne took to live at Hollywood. Itis he whom the good Lord has sent to us to care for, Ruth. He's justbeen turned adrift."

"If thee wasn't so huge I would shake thee, Joseph! The idea of HaroldRandolph being in this house and thee beating round the bush with thineangels!" and with all her motherhood shining inside her eyes, Ruth Makepeacestarted for the parlor.

In spite of the overflowing kindness with which he was surrounded Johnfound the meal a hard one. He had been used to breakfast with little Nanupon his knee.

"When thee is rested we'll have a talk, lad," exclaimed his host, as theyrose from the table; "but thee'd much better bide with us for the summer andnot fret about the future: thee dost need a holiday."

"0f course thee dost, John!" exclaimed blithe little Mrs. Makepeace. "I wishthee would bide for good."