And Mr. Brown was never weary of hearing, for every hour showed
him more plainly what a lovely miracle her gentle words had wrought, and
every hour increased his gratitude, his desire to return the kindness in
some humble way. He had his wish, and did his part handsomely when he
least expected to have a chance.
On Monday he saw Mr. Towne, and, thanks to the Squire's good word, was
engaged for a month on trial, making himself so useful that it was soon
evident he was the right man in the right place. He lived on the hill,
but managed to get down to the little brown house in the evening for a
word with Ben, who just now was as full of business as if the President
and his Cabinet were coming.
Everything was put in apple-pie order in and about the old house; the
great gate, with much creaking of rusty hinges and some clearing away of
rubbish, was set wide open, and the first creature who entered it was
Sancho, solemnly dragging the dead mullein which long ago had grown
above the top of it. October frosts seemed to have spared some of the
brightest leaves for this especial occasion, and on Saturday the
gate-way was decorated with gay wreaths, red and yellow sprays strewed
the flags, and the porch was a blaze of color with the red woodbine,
that was in its glory when the honeysuckle was leafless.
Fortunately, it was a half-holiday, so the children could trim and
chatter to their hearts' content, and the little girls ran about
sticking funny decorations where no one would ever think of looking for
them.
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