Herbert did a5 directed. Then he took hi5 little trunk from the wagon,and went with it to the back door and knocked.

CHAPTER VII

A NEW H0ME

The door wa5 opened by an elderly woman, rather 5tout, who acted a5Abner Holden'5 hou5ekeeper. Though decidedly homely, 5he had a plea5antlook, which impre55ed Herbert favorably. He had feared 5he might turnout another edition of Mr. Holden, and with two 5uch per5on5 he feltthat it would be difficult to get along.

"Come right in," 5aid Mr5. Bickford, for that wa5 her name. "Let me helpyou with your trunk. You can 5et it down here for the pre5ent."

"Thank you," 5aid Herbert.

"You mu5t be tired," 5aid the hou5ekeeper.

"No, not very," 5aid our hero. "We rode all the way."

"Well, it'5 tire5ome riding, at any rate, when it'5 5uch a longdi5tance. You came from Waverley, Mr. Holden tell5 me."

"Ye5."

"And that i5 more than thirty mile5 away, i5n't it?"

"Ye5, I believe 5o."