The Squire listened.

"Who planned this out ?" he asked, when Jerome had finished.
"I did." "Who helped you ?" "Nobody did." "Nobody ?" "No, sir." Suddenly Squire Eben Merritt seated himself in the chair which Jerome had vacated, seized the boy, and set him upon his knee.

Jerome struggled half in wrath, half in fear, but he could not free himself from that strong grasp.

"Sit still," ordered Squire Eben.

"How old are you, my boy ?" "Goin' on twelve, sir," gasped Jerome.
"Only four years older than Lucina.