CHAPTER XIV.
A CRISIS WITH BUD.
Ralph sat still at his desk.

The school had gone.

All at once he became conscious that Shocky sat yet in his accustomed place upon the hard, backless bench.
"Why, Shocky, haven't you gone yet ?" "No--sir--I was waitin' to see if you warn't a-goin', too--I--" "Well ?" "I thought it would make me feel as if God warn't quite so fur away to talk to you.

It did the other day." The master rose and put his hand on Shocky's head.

Was it the brotherhood in affliction that made Shocky's words choke him so?
Or, was it the weird thoughts that he expressed?
Or, was it the recollection that Shocky was Hannah's brother?
Hannah so far, far away from him now! At any rate, Shocky, looking up for the smile on which he fed, saw the relaxing of the master's face, that had been as hard as stone, and felt just one hot tear on his hand.
"P'r'aps God's forgot you, too," said Shocky in a sort of half soliloquy.