[Eben Holden by Irving Bacheller]@TWC D-Link book
Eben Holden

CHAPTER 3
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Jes' as blue as a May flower.

Ain't ye hungry?
Come right in, both o' ye, an' set down t' the table with us.' They made room for us and we sat down between the bare elbows of the hired men.

I remember my eyes came only to the top of the table.

So the good woman brought the family Bible and sitting on that firm foundation I ate my dinner of salt pork and potatoes and milk gravy a diet as grateful as it was familiar to my taste.
'Orphan, eh ?' said the man of the house, looking down at me.
'Orphan,' Uncle Eb answered, nodding his head.
'God-fearin' folks ?' 'Best in the world,' said Uncle Eb.
Want t' bind 'im out ?' the man asked.
'Couldn't spare 'im,' said Uncle Eb, decisively.
'Where ye goin' ?' Uncle Eb hesitated, groping for an answer, I suppose, that would do no violence to our mutual understanding.
'Goin' t' heaven,' I ventured to say presently--an answer that gave rise to conflicting emotions at the table.
'That's right,' said Uncle Eb, turning to me and patting my head.

'We're on the road t' heaven, I hope, an' ye'll see it someday, sartin sure, if ye keep in the straight road and be a good boy.' After dinner the good woman took off my clothes and put me in bed while she mended them.


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