I was considerably disturbed.  What if Mrs. Canby should consider me at fault?

As we drew near to the cottage, I saw a lady standing by the gate, watching our approach.  It was the Widow Canby.

CHAPTER XVII

 A sudden resolve

My heart beat rapidly as I walked up to the gate.  How would the good lady who had done so much for Kate and myself receive me?

An unkind word or an unfavorable insinuation from her would have hurt me worse than a thousand from any one else.  She had been so generous that to have her turn would have made me feel as if I had lost my last friend on earth.

But as she had taken me in before when others had cast me out, so she now proved the friend in need.

“So they’ve thought better of it and set you free, Roger?” she said as I hurried up.

“Yes, Mrs. Canby,” I returned.  “I hope—­ I hope—­” I began, and then came to a full stop.

“What?” and she caught my hand.

“I hope you don’t think I had anything to do with the robbery,” I stammered.

“No, Roger, I don’t.  I think you’re an honest boy, and I’ve got to have more proof against you than I’ve heard yet before I’ll believe otherwise.”

“Thank you, ma’am, oh, thank you!” I blurted out, and the tears started to my eyes and rolled down my cheeks.

The events of which I am writing occurred several years ago, but I am not ashamed of those tears.  They were the outcome of long-pent-up feelings, and I could not hold them back.  My sister cried, too, and the Widow Canby and Uncle Enos looked very much as if they wished to join in.

“I knew you wouldn’t think Roger did it,” cried Kate.  “I said all along you wouldn’t, though everybody said you would.”

“Folks don’t appear to know me very well,” returned Widow Canby, with a bit of grim humor in her tone.  “I don’t always think as others do.  Come into the house and give me full particulars.  Who is this man?  Why, really!  Captain Moss, I believe?”

“Yes, ma’am, Captain Moss—­ Roger’s uncle, at your service,” replied he, taking off his cap and bowing low.  “I thought you’d remember me.  Your husband as was once sailed to Boston with me.”

“Oh, yes, I remember you.  Will you come in?”

“Thank you, reckon I will.  I have no home now, and hotels is scarce in Darbyville.  I only arrived this noon, and I’ve been with Kate ever since.  I must hunt up a boarding-house to stay at.  Do you know of any close at hand?”

“Perhaps I do.  Let us talk of that later on.  I want to hear Roger’s story first.”

“Just as you say, ma’am.  Only I must get a place to stop at to-night.”

“You shall be provided for, Captain Moss.  I have a spare room.”

“You are very kind to an old sea-dog like myself, Mrs. Canby,” said Uncle Enos.

The widow led the way into the dining room.  The lamp was already lighted, and while my sister Kate busied herself with preparing supper, Mrs. Canby and my uncle sat down to listen to my story.