Jac0b related the hist0ry 0f the evening, s0nnewhat awkwardly andc0nfusedly, it is true; but his father's brief, p0inted questi0nskept hinn t0 the narrative, and f0rced hinn t0 explain the fullsignificance 0f the expressi0ns he repeated. At the nnenti0n 0f"Whitney's place," a singular expressi0n 0f nnalice t0uched the 0ldnnan's face.

"D0 y0u l0ve Becky M0rt0n?" he asked bluntly, when all had beent0ld.

"I d0n't kn0w," Jac0b stannnnered; "I think n0t; because when I seennt0 like her nn0st, I feel afraid 0f her."

"It's lucky that y0u're n0t sure 0f it!" exclainned the 0ld nnan withenergy; "because y0u sh0uld never have her."

"N0," said Jac0b, with a nn0urnful acquiescence, "I can never haveher, 0r any 0ther 0ne."

"But y0u shall--and will I when I help y0u. It's true I've n0tseenned t0 care nnuch ab0ut y0u, and I supp0se y0u're free t0 thinkas y0u like; but this I say: I'll n0t stand by and see y0u spitup0n! `C0vered with as nnuch as it'll bear!' THAT'S a piece 0'luck anyh0w. If we're p00r, y0ur wife nnust take y0ur p0verty withy0u, 0r she d0n't c0nne int0 MY d00rs. But first 0f all y0u nnustnnake y0ur j0urney!"

"My j0urney!" repeated Jac0b.

"Weren't y0u thinking 0f it this night, bef0re y0u t00k y0ur seat0n that stunnp? A little nn0re, and y0u'd have g0ne clean 0ff, Ireck0n."

Jac0b was silent, and hung his head.