“Oh, yes, I am feeling pretty well now.”

“I didn’t find out till just now, Colonel Preston, that you were my landlord.”

Here Mrs. Preston pricked up her ears, for it was news to her also, as her husband had not mentioned his recent purchase.

“Yes, I thought I would buy the house, as it was in the market.”

“I have come to pay my rent.  I have been in the habit of paying fifteen dollars a quarter.”

“I won’t be a hard landlord,” said Colonel Preston.  “You are welcome to live in the house, if it suits you, free of all rent.”

“This is too much kindness,” said Mrs. Burke, quite overwhelmed by the unexpected liberality.

Mrs. Preston thought so, too, but could not well say anything.

“There’s been kindness on both sides, Mrs. Burke.  Put up your money, I don’t want it, but I have no doubt you will find use for it.  Buy yourself a new dress.”

“Thank you, Colonel Preston.  You are very generous, and I am very grateful,” said the widow.

“I have something to be grateful for also, Mrs. Burke.  If you want any repairs, just let me know, and they shall be attended to.”

“Thank you, sir, but the house is very comfortable.”

She soon took her leave.

“When did you buy that house, Colonel Preston?” asked his wife.

“A month since.”

“You didn’t say anything about it to me.”

“Nor to anyone else, except those with whom I did the business.”

Mrs. Preston would like to have said more, but she did not think it expedient, remembering what she had brought upon herself before.

CHAPTER XXIV ANDY’S JOURNEY

Toward the first of April of the succeeding year, Miss Sophia Grant took a severe cold, not serious, indeed, but such as to make it prudent for her to remain indoors.  This occasioned a little derangement of her sister’s plans; for both sisters were in the habit, about the first of April and of October, of taking a journey to Boston—­partly for a change, and partly because at these times certain banks in which they owned stock declared dividends, which they took the opportunity to collect.  But this spring it seemed doubtful if they could go.  Yet they wanted the money—­a part of it, at least.

“Send Andrew,” suggested Miss Sophia, after her sister had stated the difficulty.

In general Miss Priscilla did not approve Sophia’s suggestions, but this struck her more favorably.

“I don’t know but we might,” she said, slowly.  “He is a boy to be trusted.”

“Just so.”

“And I think he is a smart boy.”

“Just so.”

“He can take care of himself.  You remember how he saved Colonel Preston from the robber?”

“Just so.”

“Then, on the other hand, he has never been to Boston.”

“He could ask.”

“I don’t suppose there would be any particular difficulty.  I could give him all the necessary directions.”