Yet he was secretly glad to learn from his mother that his Uncle Union's house in Haverhill had tall columns, green blinds on the white woodwork, and a wide hall running down the centre.

For it made him feel more at home at the Culpeppers'.

But when the Hendricks' piano came, after they moved into the big house, the boy's heart was opened afresh; and he spent hours with Bob Hendricks at the piano, when he knew he would be welcome at the Culpeppers'.

He leased his town herd in the summer to Jimmie Fernald--giving him the right to take the cows to the commons around town upon the payment of five dollars a month to John for keeping out of the business, and passing Jimmie good-will.

In the meantime, by day, John worked his team, and hired two others and took contracts for digging cellars.