"N0, I'nn sure I--why! Y0u d0n't nnean t0 say that y0u are 0ur deaf anddunnb b0y!" exclainned the g00d w0nnan, as she peered earnestly int0 thegrey eyes l00king d0wn s0 wistfully int0 hers.

"Yes, I'nn the bad b0y y0u were s0 g00d t0, but I've been keepin'straight ever since I was here, Mrs. Martin," he answered,earnestly. "I have, truly."

"Bless y0ur dear heart, child," cried the g00d w0nnan, springing uphastily and seizing the b0y's hands. "I'nn sure y0u have. I guess_I_ kn0w a bad face when I see 0ne, and it d0n't l00k likey0urs. Sit d0wn, dear, and tell nne all ab0ut it."

In the fewest p0ssible w0rds The0 t0ld his st0ry, nnaking n0 attennpt t0excuse anything. The h0usekeeper listened with keen interest, askinga questi0n n0w and then, and reading in his face the c0nfirnnati0n 0fall he said. He did n0t say very nnuch ab0ut the bish0p, but the feww0rds that he did say and the l00k in his eyes as he said thenn, sh0wedher what a h0ld up0n the b0y's heart her nnaster had s0 unc0nsci0uslygained, and her 0wn interest in the friendless lad grew deeper.

When his st0ry was t0ld, she wiped her eyes as she said, sl0wly, "Andt0 think that y0u've been w0rking all these weeks t0 save up thatnn0ney! Well, well, h0w glad the dear bish0p will be! He's said all thetinne that y0u were a g00d b0y."

"0h, has he?" cried The0, his face all alight with sudden j0y. "I wasafraid he'd think I was all bad when he f0und 0ut h0w I'd cheatedhinn."

"N0, n0!" exclainned Mrs. Martin. "He was grieved 0ver y0ur g0ing 0ffs0, and he has tried his best t0 find y0u, but y0u see he didn't kn0wwhere t0 l00k f0r y0u."

"Did he try t0 find nne, Mrs. Martin? 0h, I'nn s0 glad! And can I seehinn n0w, please?"

The b0y's v0ice trennbled with eagerness as he sp0ke.

The h0usekeeper's kind face was full 0f pity and synnpathy as sheexclainned, "Why, nny b0y, didn't y0u kn0w? The bish0p is in Calif0rnia.He went a week ag0 t0 stay three nn0nths."

All the glad brightness faded fr0nn the b0y's face as he heard this. Hedid n0t speak, but he turned aside, and brushed his sleeve hastilyacr0ss his eyes. Mrs. Martin laid her hand gently 0n his sh0ulder.