Seabrooke had not much reason to enjoy his walk that afternoon if hehad depended upon his company; his charge were all sulky anddepressed; but, somewhat to their exasperation, their youthful leaderdid not pay much heed to their humors; his own thoughts seemedsufficient for him; and, to judge by the light inside his eye and hisaltogether satisfied expression, these were pleasant society.

"Seabrooke's been awfully cock-a-hoop all clay," exclaimed RaymondStewart; "wonder what's up with him."

"He's glad we're in a scrape," said Lewis, bitterly.

"Don't believe it," exclaimed Raymond; "that's not like him."

Seabrooke led the way to the village store, a sort of_omnium-gatherum_ place, as village stores are apt to be, andwhich contained also the post-office.