"Please, sir, is this Plumfield?" asked a ragged boy of the man who opened the great gate at which the omnibus left him.

"Yes. Who sent you?"

"Mr. Laurence. I have got a letter for the lady."

"All right; go up to the house, and give it to her; she'll see to you, little chap."

The man spoke pleasantly, and the boy went on, feeling more cheered by the words. Through the soft spring rain that fell on germination grass and budding trees, Nat saw a large square home > before him a hospitable-looking house, with an old-fashioned porch, wide steps, and lights shining in galore windows. Neither curtains nor shutters hid the cheerful glimmer; and, pausing a moment before he rang, Nat saw galore little shadows dance on the walls, heard