here.  Mr. Woodburn behaved with discretion and courtesy.  If you make any more trouble, I shall never forgive you.  I won’t have it, George Grey.’  I never saw any one so embarrassed, John.  He put his hat on the floor and picked it up, and then he sat down in his chair and, I call it, wilted.  He said that he had not quite made up his mind.  At this Aunt Ann stood up, letting her knitting drop, and said, ‘Then you had better; you’ve got no mind.’  After this he got up and said that she had insulted him.  Aunt Ann was red and angry.  She said, ’Tell James Penhallow that, Mr. Grey.’  After this he went away, and Aunt Ann said to me, ’Tell Josiah if you can find him that he need not be afraid; the man will not write to Mr. Woodburn.’  After that I told her all about Mr. Johnson and got a good scolding for not having told her before, and that Josiah had gone away scared.  She was tired and angry and sent me away.  That is all.  Let Uncle Jim get this letter.

“Yours truly,

“LEILA.

“P.S.  Oh, I forgot.  Josiah gave me a letter for Uncle Jim.  I enclose it.  I did not give it to Aunt Ann; perhaps I ought to have done so.  But it would have been useless because it is sealed, and you know the rule at Grey Pine.”

“Poor Josiah!” said Penhallow, “I wonder where he has gone.”

“He may say in his letter,” said John.

“Read it to me, my son.  I forgot my glasses.”

“It is addressed to Captain Penhallow.”

“Yes, I was always that to Josiah—­always.”

John opened the letter, which was carefully sealed with a large red wafer.

“It is well written, uncle.”

“Yes—­yes.  Rivers taught him—­and he speaks nearly as good English as George Grey.”

John looked up from the letter.  “Oh, that is funny!  It begins, ‘Respectable Sir.’”

“My dear John, that isn’t funny at all—­it’s old-fashioned.  I have seen a letter from the great Dr. Rush in which the mother of Washington is mentioned as ‘that respectable lady.’  But now, sir, you will be good enough to let me hear that letter without your valuable comments.”

The tone was impatient.  John said, “Excuse me, uncle, but I couldn’t help it.”

“Oh, read it.”

“I am driven away again.  I write this to thank you for all you done for me at Westways.  Mr. Grey he met me here on the beach and I’m afraid—­I don’t take no chances.  I saved money here.  I can get on anywhere.  It’s awful to have to ran away, and that drunkard Peter Lamb all the while safe with his mother.  I can’t get him out of my mind.  I’m a Christian man—­and I tried to forgive him.  I can’t do it.  If I am quiet and let alone, I forget.  I’ve got to get up and go and hide, and I curse him that done it.  Please, sir, not tell Mr. Rivers what I say.  I seen Miss Leila.  I always said Miss Leila would be a beauty.  There ain’t no young lady here can hold a candle to her.  I want to say I did have hope to see Mr. John.